Ramaphosa Urges Unity as G20 Faces Divisions

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for greater global cooperation, emphasizing the importance of multilateralism and respect for international law as world leaders gather for the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

His remarks come amid rising tensions, particularly involving the United States, as key U.S. officials have chosen to skip the summit.

Speaking in Johannesburg on Friday, President Ramaphosa stressed that the world is facing multiple crises, from geopolitical conflicts and climate change to economic instability and food insecurity. He urged nations to work together rather than retreat into isolationism.

“It is vital that we uphold the principles of the United Nations, international law, and multilateral cooperation,” Ramaphosa said. “Now more than ever, we must choose dialogue over division and unity over unilateralism.”

However, the meeting has been overshadowed by the absence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who declined to attend, accusing South Africa of policies that he claimed were hostile to American interests. His absence follows a decision by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to also skip next week’s G20 finance ministers’ gathering, citing prior commitments in Washington.

The U.S. withdrawals have sparked debate about Washington’s approach to international diplomacy under President Donald Trump. While the U.S. has traditionally played a leading role in G20 discussions, recent tensions—particularly over South Africa’s land reform policies—have led to friction between the two nations.

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Despite these diplomatic strains, other global leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the G20 process. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and China’s top diplomat Wang Yi were in attendance, signaling their continued engagement in international discussions. European leaders, including France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, also participated, calling for a renewed focus on global stability and cooperation.

For South Africa, holding the G20 presidency is a historic milestone, marking the first time an African nation has led the influential group. President Ramaphosa has made it clear that his administration will use this opportunity to advocate for the interests of developing nations, focusing on issues such as debt relief, fair access to energy resources, and economic reforms that benefit lower-income countries.

“We must ensure that the voices of the Global South are heard,” Ramaphosa emphasized. “Our challenges are global, and they require global solutions.”.