Ziggy Ojiegbe

South Africa has walked back earlier claims that the United States pressured France to rescind its invitation to the June G7 summit, easing tensions after days of diplomatic friction.

Ad >>>

On Thursday, it emerged that Paris had invited Kenya — not South Africa — to the summit in Evian-les-Bains, alongside India, Brazil, and South Korea. A South African presidency spokesperson initially said the decision was made under “sustained pressure” from Washington, adding that the U.S. threatened to boycott if Pretoria attended. But President Cyril Ramaphosa later clarified there was no such pressure from the United States or any other country.

The reversal could defuse a potentially serious diplomatic row. France also denied that the U.S. influenced its decision, explaining that Kenya was invited ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s planned visit there in May. A White House official supported France’s account, noting the choice followed discussions among G7 members and did not specifically target South Africa.

Relations between Pretoria and Washington have been tense for years. Disputes over South Africa’s race-based policies, a genocide case South Africa filed against Israel in 2023, and U.S. criticism of judicial rulings have all contributed to the strain. Earlier this month, South Africa summoned the new U.S. ambassador over public remarks dismissing a court ruling on the anti-apartheid chant “Kill the Boer,” prompting a formal diplomatic rebuke.

The G7 snub came amid South Africa’s increasingly outspoken criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Last Friday, South Africa filed a case with the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide, asking the UN’s top court to issue urgent measures to halt attacks on Palestinians. Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the allegations “disgusting” and “blood libel,” rejecting the case.

Ramaphosa’s clarification on the G7 invitation may help prevent further escalation with both Washington and Paris, even as South Africa continues to assert its positions on international issues ranging from Israel to U.S. race policy.