US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed he will not attend the upcoming G20 meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The summit is scheduled for February 20-21, 2025. Rubio’s decision follows tensions between the US and South Africa over its controversial land expropriation law.
South Africa’s new law allows the government to seize land without compensation in certain cases.
The law aims to address historical land ownership imbalances.
However, the policy has sparked criticism, especially from the US.
Former President Donald Trump has accused South Africa of committing “massive Human Rights VIOLATION” by seizing private land.
He threatened to cut off funding until an investigation is conducted.
Rubio echoed Trump’s concerns in a social media post.
Rubio said in a post on X, “I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote “solidarity, equality, & sustainability.”
In other words: DEI and climate change. My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism”.
He criticized South Africa’s government for expropriating private property.
Rubio also criticized the G20 for promoting “solidarity, equality, & sustainability,” which he linked to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and climate change policies.
I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 5, 2025
South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote “solidarity, equality, & sustainability.” In other words: DEI and climate change.
My job is to advance America’s national interests, not…
The Secretary of State emphasized that his role is to advance US interests, not support policies he views as anti-American.
South Africa’s government defended the land reform law.
President Cyril Ramaphosa clarified that no land has been unjustly seized.
Ramaphosa said the law’s goal is to ensure equitable land access for all South Africans.
The land issue remains deeply political in South Africa.
Most land is still owned by white farmers, despite Black people making up the majority of the population.
The G20 summit will continue without Rubio’s presence, further straining US-South Africa relations.
