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Ramaphosa plays down G7 invitation withdrawal
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed suggestions that his country was snubbed after reports emerged that his invitation to the upcoming G7 summit in France had been rescinded. He stated that non-member nations should not expect automatic invitations to the annual gathering of industrialised democracies.
Conflicting accounts over invitation
Earlier on Thursday, media reports claimed the United States had pressured France to withdraw Ramaphosa's invitation, with allegations that President Donald Trump threatened to boycott the summit if the South African leader attended. A South African official later confirmed the country had been excluded, citing "sustained pressure from the US."
Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for the South African presidency, said France "couldn't risk missing a key member of the G7," leading to the withdrawal of the invitation initially extended by French President Emmanuel Macron during last year's G20 summit in Johannesburg.
France denies US pressure, cites Kenya invitation
France, which currently holds the G7 presidency, denied bowing to external pressure. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told AFP that the decision to invite Kenya instead was part of a "streamlined G7" approach, aimed at preparing for the upcoming France-Africa summit in Nairobi in May.
A State Department official confirmed to AFP that the US had not requested South Africa's exclusion, while a White House official told Reuters that Kenya's invitation followed discussions among G7 members.
Ramaphosa: No surprise if South Africa skips summit
Ramaphosa later clarified that, based on his information, "no pressure from any country" had been applied. He emphasised that South Africa, as a non-member, had no expectation of attending every G7 summit.
"So many countries around the world don't get invited to the G7, and we are not a member. When we do go, we are invited, and we take a message there,"
Cyril Ramaphosa, South African President
France announced it would host leaders from South Korea, India, Brazil, and Kenya at the Évian-les-Bains summit, framing the invitations as part of efforts to "correct global economic imbalances."
US-South Africa tensions escalate
Relations between Washington and Pretoria have deteriorated under the Trump administration, with disputes over trade, diplomacy, and South Africa's domestic policies. Trump has publicly criticised Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of failing to protect the white minority and opposing its land reform initiatives.
South Africa, in turn, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, dismissing claims of a "white genocide" as unfounded. Tensions peaked last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs on South Africa of any African nation.
Earlier this month, Pretoria summoned US Ambassador Brent Bozell to explain his "undiplomatic remarks" regarding South Africa's racial policies and judicial rulings. Bozell later clarified that the US respected South Africa's judicial independence.
Bilateral relations with France remain intact
Despite the G7 invitation withdrawal, Magwenya affirmed that South Africa's relationship with France remained strong. He added that efforts to "reset" ties with the US were ongoing.
Macron is scheduled to visit Kenya in May for the two-day Africa-France summit, further signalling France's engagement with the continent.
