The political climate between South Africa and the United States took a dramatic turn this week, as the leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, called for a sweeping boycott of the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami. The move comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration that South Africa—a founding member of the G20—would not be welcome at next year’s summit, a decision that has sparked outrage and diplomatic concern both within South Africa and among several global partners.
At a press briefing in Johannesburg on December 12, 2025, Malema did not mince words, condemning Trump’s stance as "another example of United States imperialism and fascism," and even likening the U.S. president to Adolf Hitler. According to YFM, Malema asserted, "If they don’t want us there, we should not be there at all. A boycott is the only way to show that we will not be bullied." He further insisted that "solidarity among the oppressed is the only answer," framing the issue as a matter of dignity and resistance rather than mere diplomatic disagreement.
The controversy began when President Trump, via his Truth Social platform, announced South Africa would be excluded from the Miami summit, citing what he described as "systematic persecution" of white Afrikaner farmers. This claim, which Trump has previously characterized as "white genocide," has been repeatedly dismissed by the South African government as inaccurate and misleading. As reported by Kaya 959, Malema and other South African officials rejected the allegations outright, viewing them as part of a broader pattern of U.S. interference and misrepresentation.
Underlying the dispute are simmering tensions over the G20’s leadership handover. Trump accused South Africa of refusing to hand over the G20 presidency to a U.S. Embassy representative—a request Pretoria rejected, citing a breach of diplomatic protocol. The South African government maintains that the United States has no right to prevent another founding G20 member from participating in the summit, a view echoed by several other G20 nations.
Germany, Canada, and a handful of other G20 members have since voiced their support for South Africa’s inclusion, warning that the unilateral exclusion of a member could undermine the forum’s credibility and stability. As ANC National Executive Committee member Thandi Moraka put it, "The G20 is supposed to be a group of 20, not a group of 19," arguing that no single member should have the power to exclude another.
The EFF’s call to action has not been limited to South Africa alone. In a statement published by SABC News, Malema urged the global community to join the boycott if South Africa is barred, stating, "The first sign of resistance to the fascism of Donald Trump would arise at the coming G20 meeting, and contrary to the overly diplomatic stance of the South African government, the EFF calls for a boycott of the G20 in Miami, Florida, if South Africa is not allowed as a founding member as a result of a declaration by Donald Trump. The world has defeated fascism through solidarity, and there is no diplomacy with fascism, and we must unite now or perish."
Malema’s rhetoric has found traction among his supporters, who see the proposed boycott as a necessary act of resistance against what they perceive as the U.S. "politicization" of the G20 platform. The EFF leader has also suggested that South Africa should pivot its focus toward strengthening trade relations with China and other BRICS partners, distancing itself from what he described as an increasingly hostile United States. "There’s no one who doesn’t want us at the G20 except this fool, it’s this guy who has a problem with us. We are the founding member of the G20 and no one is going to push us away. We are going to mobilise international communities," Malema declared during his December 10 media briefing, as reported by Kaya 959.
South Africa’s government, meanwhile, has called for unity among G20 nations, emphasizing the importance of defending the rights of all member states. The government’s position is that the G20, as a forum designed to foster international cooperation on economic and financial issues, must not be subject to the whims of any single member—especially not when it comes to foundational principles of inclusion and equality.
Analysts warn that the dispute could have far-reaching implications. Diplomatically, South Africa’s exclusion would weaken the G20’s representation of the Global South, undermining the forum’s legitimacy and potentially complicating negotiations on key global issues. Economically, the rift may disrupt trade and investment flows, particularly as South Africa seeks to deepen its ties with China and other non-Western partners. Domestically, the controversy has energized nationalist sentiment and provided the EFF with a potent rallying point ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
The issue has also exposed divisions within South Africa’s political establishment. While the government has taken a relatively measured approach, seeking to resolve the dispute through diplomatic channels, the EFF has pushed for a more confrontational stance, arguing that "diplomacy with fascism is not an option." As Malema stated, "The world has defeated fascism through solidarity, and there is no diplomacy with fascism, and we must unite now or perish."
Internationally, the reaction has been mixed. While some G20 members have expressed solidarity with South Africa, others have remained silent or adopted a wait-and-see approach. The episode has also drawn attention to broader questions about the G20’s governance and the risks of politicization in multilateral forums. As one observer noted, the G20 is "supposed to be a group of 20, not a group of 19," and any move to exclude a member risks setting a dangerous precedent.
For now, the standoff continues, with both sides digging in their heels. The EFF is mobilizing support for a global boycott, while the South African government seeks to rally allies within the G20. President Trump, for his part, has shown no sign of backing down, maintaining that his decision is justified by concerns over the treatment of white Afrikaners—a claim that remains hotly contested and deeply divisive.
As the countdown to the 2026 G20 Summit begins, all eyes will be on whether the forum can weather this diplomatic storm or whether, as Malema warns, the world must "unite now or perish." The outcome will not only shape the future of the G20 but may also redefine South Africa’s role on the global stage.
