Donald Trump has announced that the US will not attend the G20 summit in South Africa, claiming a 'total disgrace' that the country is hosting the meeting, citing widely discredited allegations of persecution against white Afrikaners.
In a statement on his social media platform, Trump asserted that Afrikaners are being 'killed and slaughtered' and their properties unlawfully confiscated. He emphasized, 'No US government official will attend as long as these human rights abuses continue.'
Response from South Africa's foreign ministry called the U.S. decision 'regrettable,' emphasizing that there is no substantiated evidence supporting claims of a genocide targeting the white population. All political parties in South Africa have refuted Trump's claims, underscoring the absence of evidence to support allegations about widespread violence or persecution of Afrikaners.
Trump's comments are part of a broader narrative since he resumed office in January, where he has repeatedly accused South African authorities of discriminatory practices against the white minority, even controversially designating them for special refugee protections. This latest development reflects ongoing racial tensions and diverging perspectives on human rights issues in South Africa.
While annual G20 summits rotate hosting duties among member states, the controversy surrounding South Africa's leadership and the U.S. boycott raises questions about international cooperation and political narratives regarding race relations.
