Africa-Press. South Africa announced, during its participation in the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19 to 23, 2026, its temporary withdrawal from the Group of Twenty (G20), in a notable move that coincides with the United States assuming the group’s rotating presidency until the end of 2026.
Kofi Kwako, a lecturer at the School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, explained that the decision reflects Pretoria’s desire to avoid any potential tensions with Washington, saying: “South Africa wants to avoid any problems or crises with the United States, and this is an entirely rational decision.”
This development comes amid a tense political climate that is not new. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously boycotted the G20 summit hosted by South Africa last November, accusing Pretoria of pursuing policies he described as hostile to American interests.
About two months ago, South Africa announced the suspension of its participation in the 2026 G20 summit for a full year, before this suspension turned into an actual temporary withdrawal from the group that brings together the world’s twenty largest economies.
As a result, the G20 will face an exceptional and rare situation in 2026, effectively becoming closer to a “G19” due to the absence of South Africa, one of its core members.
Observers believe this decision indirectly reflects Pretoria’s اعتراض to the political climate now prevailing within the group under U.S. leadership, a climate that many describe as increasingly tense and confrontational.
In this context, Kofi Kwako stressed that the South African decision is consistent and wise, stating: “It is a coherent, rational, and wise decision. The G20 was created to bring together all countries of the world, not only those we like or that resemble us. But that spirit is now being undermined. It is unfortunate, yet South Africa has chosen to protect its interests and avoid confrontation with the United States.”
Despite Pretoria’s insistence that the withdrawal is temporary, its repercussions could be tangible, particularly with regard to Africa’s representation within the group.
Kwako warned that South Africa’s absence will leave a political and representational vacuum within the G20, explaining: “This is an extremely important signal that members of the group must take seriously, especially because of its implications for the role of the African Union. South Africa and the African Union together represent around 1.4 billion people. South Africa’s withdrawal will create a vacuum for Africa and a gap in its representation within the G20.”
The United Kingdom is set to assume the G20 presidency next year, opening the door to a possible return of South Africa to the table of major economies, should a calmer and more consensual diplomatic climate emerge, as Pretoria hopes.
