Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has publicly backed Cyril Ramaphosa’s right to attend the upcoming G20 summit in Miami, pushing back against reported opposition from Donald Trump. Speaking during a joint appearance in Hannover alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Lula said Ramaphosa should not be excluded from the summit, stressing that participation in global forums should not be dictated by unilateral political disagreements. Tensions between South Africa and the United States have escalated in recent months. The Trump administration expelled South Africa’s former ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, following his criticism of US policies.
Relations further deteriorated after Washington cut financial assistance to South Africa, citing allegations of violence against white Afrikaners claims widely disputed by Pretoria. The US also introduced a controversial immigration pathway offering asylum to Afrikaners who claim persecution. Diplomatic strains have been compounded by South Africa’s legal action at the International Court of Justice, where it has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, an issue that has placed it at odds with US foreign policy. The G20 summit, which brings together the world’s largest economies, is expected to address global economic recovery, geopolitical tensions, and security challenges. Lula’s remarks highlight growing divisions among major powers over diplomacy, international law, and participation in multilateral institutions.
