Johannesburg – President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed reports of a diplomatic snub after France withdrew South Africa’s invitation to the G7 leaders’ summit in Evian in June, insisting the country was not being ignored because it is not a member of the group.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, 26 March 2026, President Ramaphosa said: “The invitation to the G7 does not mean that you’re being snubbed if you’re not invited or you’re being ignored.”
President Ramaphosa pointed out that South Africa had not attended every previous G7 outreach session.
Although reports suggested the U.S. had threatened not ot attend the summit if South Africa was invited, President Ramaphosa stated that there had been “no sustained pressure” from the Trump administration.
AFP reports that the Presidency’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, acknowledged that France rescinded the invitation to South Africa, initially extended by President Emmanuel Macron during the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
However, French officials denied the decision stemmed from US pressure, saying Kenya was invited instead, ahead of Macron’s planned visit to Nairobi.
The episode underscores tensions between Pretoria and Washington, which remains irritated by South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel, apartheid redress policies, and ties with Iran.
Washington has already imposed tariffs on some South African exports and boycotted elements of South Africa’s 2025 G20 presidency.
Pretoria has accepted the French decision, and indications are that it will continue pursuing its international priorities through other forums.
