Dirco Fires Back At Trump’s G20 Boycott Claim Over ‘Killing Of Afrikaners’

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has responded to US President Donald Trump’s post on Truth Social in which he declared that no American official would attend the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.

Trump claimed the United States would boycott the event as long as what he described as “the killing of Afrikaners” continued in South Africa. The department has expressed concern over the statement, saying Trump’s remarks misrepresent South Africa’s social and historical context.

According to Dirco, Trump’s depiction of Afrikaners as an exclusively white group “lacks historical perspective,” suggesting that his post oversimplified the country’s complex racial and cultural identity.

Dirco Stands Firm on South Africa’s Diversity

In its statement, Dirco highlighted South Africa’s commitment to inclusivity and condemned any attempt to distort the nation’s diversity for political gain.

The department added that the government continues to value its relationship with the United States, despite Trump’s controversial statement.

Expert Says Trump’s Threat Won’t Influence Global Opinion

International relations analyst Thembisa Fakude believes Trump’s remarks will have little impact on how the world views South Africa.

“There’s going to be Americans. So, what Trump is saying is that we have to take it with a pinch of salt.

“Not long ago he confirmed that Vance was going to be attending instead of him, now he’s telling us that no Americans are going to be there. I can rest assure you that Americans are going to be there,” Fakude explained.

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He added that Trump’s recent political challenges at home may have influenced his post:

“Trump is on a backfoot in the US following heavy criticism against him prioritising white refugees in the US. So, he’s shifting the goal post by basically saying he’s not about whiteness, but about the persecution of whiteness which is obviously false and a lie,” Fakude said.

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