AU criticizes U.S. decision to boycott G20 summit in South Africa

African Union Commission chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf has described the United States’ decision to boycott the upcoming G20 leaders’ summit in South Africa as “unfortunate.”

The boycott follows comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said South Africa should not be part of the G20, citing alleged human rights abuses against the white Afrikaner community. The South African government has rejected those claims as baseless and politically motivated.

Youssouf said the G20 provides an important platform for dialogue between developed and developing nations, and that the absence of the U.S. undermines global cooperation at a critical time for the international economy.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema also commented on the issue, saying the summit would succeed without U.S. participation. Malema said Trump’s stance would not diminish South Africa’s role on the global stage.

“This will show Trump that he is not the alpha and omega of the world,” Malema said. “He knows very well there is no genocide in South Africa.”

The G20 summit is expected to proceed as planned, with South Africa hosting world leaders to discuss global trade, economic recovery, and sustainable development.