South Africa will symbolically hand over the G20 presidency to the United States with an “empty chair” at the upcoming summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, signaling discontent over Washington’s sanctions against its allies. The gesture is a protest against secondary sanctions imposed by the U.S., wich Ramaphosa stated impede South Africa’s ability to fully participate in global financial discussions and maintain relationships with partner nations.
The symbolic act underscores growing tensions between South Africa and the U.S. stemming from Washington’s enforcement of sanctions targeting countries like Russia,Iran,and Cuba – nations with which South Africa maintains diplomatic and trade ties. These sanctions, Ramaphosa argues, effectively limit South Africa’s sovereign decision-making and hinder its engagement with key international players, complicating its role as G20 chair and potentially impacting the bloc’s agenda. The G20 summit is scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November.
“we are going to hand over the G20 presidency to the United States with an empty chair,” Ramaphosa told a joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday, according to Reuters. “This is to show our displeasure with the way the United States is dealing with us.”
The U.S. State Department has acknowledged South Africa’s concerns but maintains its sanctions are targeted and based on U.S. law. The dispute centers on South Africa’s alleged provision of weapons to Russia, a claim South Africa denies. The U.S.has also raised concerns about South Africa’s close ties with Iran and Cuba.
The G20, comprised of the world’s 20 major economies, represents approximately 80% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population. South Africa assumed the presidency in December 2023,prioritizing inclusive growth,sustainable growth,and multilateralism. The “empty chair” protest raises questions about the future of U.S.-South Africa relations and the potential for further disruptions to international cooperation within the G20 framework.