Rubio Criticises South Africa’s G20 Leadership amid Growing Tensions

Marco Rubio, the United States (US) Secretary of State, has fired a broadside at South Africa and its G20 presidency.

His comments, made in a recent statement outlining America's G20 plans, emphasise the stark difference between the current South African government's policies and the values that once made the country a model for global diplomacy, especially under former president Nelson Mandela.

In his critique, Rubio stated: “South Africa entered the post-Cold War era with strong institutions, excellent infrastructure, and global goodwill. It possessed many of the world’s most valuable resources, some of the best agricultural land on the planet, and was located around one of the world’s key trading routes. And in Nelson Mandela, South Africa had a leader who understood that reconciliation and private sector-driven economic growth were the only path to a nation where every citizen could prosper.”

However, Rubio went on to say: “Sadly, Mandela’s successors have replaced reconciliation with redistributionist policies that discouraged investment and drove South Africa’s most talented citizens abroad. Racial quotas have crippled the private sector, while corruption bankrupts the state.”

Rubio's comments reflect a broader frustration with South Africa’s foreign policy and its approach to multilateral diplomacy. He criticised the country’s presidency of the G20 as “an exercise in spite, division, and radical agendas that have nothing to do with economic growth”. Rubio pointed out that South Africa's focus on issues such as climate change, diversity, and inclusion has overshadowed more pressing economic concerns.

“[The government] seems intent on enriching itself while the country’s economy limps along, all while South Africans are subject to violence, discrimination, and land confiscation without compensation,” Rubio added, further criticising the government's domestic policies.

The US Secretary of State also took aim at South Africa's foreign relations, noting its “relationships with Iran, its entertainment of Hamas sympathisers, and cozying to America’s greatest adversaries,” moving it “from the family of nations we once called close”.

Rubio did not mince words when discussing South Africa’s G20 presidency: “South Africa focused on climate change, diversity and inclusion, and aid dependency as central tenets of its working groups. It routinely ignored US objections to consensus communiqués and statements. It blocked the US and other countries’ inputs into negotiations. It actively ignored our reasonable faith efforts to negotiate. It doxed US officials working on these negotiations. It fundamentally tarnished the G20’s reputation.”

As part of his broader critique, Rubio also expressed that the US would not be extending an invitation to the South African government to participate in the G20 during the US presidency in 2026, stating: “There is a place for good faith disagreement, but not dishonesty or sabotage.”

However, Rubio also made it clear that the US supports the people of South Africa, but not the current government led by the African National Congress (ANC). He stated: “When South Africa decides it has made the tough decisions needed to fix its broken system and is ready to rejoin the family of prosperous and free nations, the United States will have a seat for it at our table. Until then, America will be forging ahead with a new G20.”

In contrast, Poland, which has risen from its communist past to become one of the world’s twenty largest economies, will be welcomed to the G20 as a model of progress. Rubio emphasised that South Africa’s failure to embrace economic reforms and move past its ideological baggage stands in stark contrast to Poland’s forward-looking approach.

These comments underscore the growing divide between the US and South Africa, particularly as the latter’s G20 presidency moves forward. The US has signalled a shift in its approach to multilateral diplomacy, with an emphasis on advancing American national interests and prioritising economic growth and innovation.

Rubio concluded by reiterating the US commitment to its values: “The United States supports the people of South Africa, but not its radical ANC-led government, and will not tolerate its continued behaviour.”