Ramaphosa slams Trump over ‘baseless’ summit snub

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed claims underpinning the United States’ decision not to invite South Africa to an upcoming meeting of the world’s leading economies, which will be hosted at a Trump-owned golf resort in Miami.

Speaking in a televised address, Ramaphosa said the US rationale was based on “entirely unfounded allegations” that South Africa is committing genocide against Afrikaners and expropriating land from white citizens.

“This is sheer misinformation about our nation,” the president told viewers on SABC.

Ramaphosa added that the US position appears to have been shaped by a persistent disinformation campaign conducted by groups and individuals within South Africa, the United States, and abroad. “These false narratives threaten our national interests, put South African jobs at risk, and strain relations with one of our most important international partners,” he said.

Despite the controversy, the South African leader expressed willingness to maintain dialogue with the US government. “We remain committed to engaging respectfully and with dignity as equal sovereign nations,” Ramaphosa stated.