Germany urges the US to include South Africa at the 2026 G20 summit in Miami, emphasising the country’s vital role as Africa’s representative on the global stage. Picture Credits: Shuttershock
By Thulane Madalane
South Africa – The German government has raised concerns over South Africa’s exclusion from next year’s G20 summit in Miami, with Berlin actively engaging the United States to ensure the country’s voice is heard at the global forum.
German Ambassador to South Africa, Andreas Peschke, told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that South Africa’s exclusion — despite successfully hosting this year’s G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg — is a matter of concern.
“There are two issues,” Peschke explained. “One is the composition of the G20, which we are discussing, and the other is the situation in the country. Our Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has made it clear that South Africa is an important actor at an important forum like the G20. South Africa needs to be at the table. It ran a very successful presidency this year and, importantly, it is the only African representative at the table, representing a continent of 1.5 billion people.”
Peschke also addressed political narratives emerging in the United States that claim South Africa is failing on human rights, warning against amplifying false stories.
“We should focus on real challenges, like unemployment and creating jobs, rather than problems that are nonexistent,” he said. He cited a recent German Oktoberfest in Pretoria attended by 15,000 people as an example of normal, peaceful life in South Africa.
US Exclusion Sparks Debate – Timeless News previously reported that South Africa was not invited to the upcoming G20 Sherpas meeting on 15–16 December 2025, with US President Donald Trump publicly stating that South Africa would also be barred from next year’s leaders’ summit at his Miami golf resort.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has said South Africa will not lobby any nation to boycott the summit despite the snub. “The United States has said that South Africa will not be invited. We have not seen that in writing yet — only media reports. We will deal with it when it comes,” Ramaphosa said.
DIRCO Rejects ‘White Genocide’ Claims – The US exclusion followed Trump’s allegations of “human rights abuses” and a supposed campaign against white South Africans. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) dismissed these claims as “false and misleading,” reaffirming that South Africa is a constitutional democracy that protects the rights of all citizens.
Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, emphasised that crime affects all South Africans equally, and the notion of a targeted “white genocide” is unsupported by evidence.
Looking Ahead – Germany has committed to raising the issue with the incoming G20 presidency, underscoring the importance of South Africa’s presence as both a national and continental representative.
“South Africa belongs at the table,” Peschke said. “Africa must have representation at these crucial global discussions.”
