By Peter.
At Africa’s first-ever G20 summit in Johannesburg on November 22, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a stark warning: The bloc of major economies is “at risk” and may be nearing “the end of a cycle” due to its inability to resolve global crises collaboratively. Hosted by South Africa at the Nasrec Expo Centre, the two-day gathering drew over two dozen leaders but was marred by the pointed absence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who boycotted over Pretoria’s alleged “DEI agenda” clashing with U.S. priorities on trade and climate.
Macron’s Alarm: Multilateralism Under Siege
Macron, addressing the plenary, highlighted the G20’s fracturing amid absent heavyweights: “We are struggling to resolve major crises together around this table, including with members who are not present today.” He spotlighted the U.S. boycott (echoing Trump’s COP30 snub) and low-level attendance from China (Premier Li Qiang for Xi Jinping) and Russia (Kremlin aide Maxim Oreshkin, sidestepping Putin’s ICC warrant). Argentina’s Javier Milei joined the snub in solidarity with Trump.
Macron urged refocus on “a few priorities” with “concrete actions” to revive the forum, warning its erosion risks economies and multilateralism. South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa hailed an opening declaration on climate, debt relief for the Global South, and conflicts (Ukraine, Sudan, DRC, Palestine) as proof “multilateralism can and does deliver.” European Council President Antonio Costa echoed: “South Africa put multilateralism to work.”
Ukraine Rift Steals Spotlight
A U.S.-proposed 28-point Ukraine peace plan—accepting some Russian demands—loomed large, with European leaders (Macron, UK PM Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz) huddling on sidelines post-Zelenskyy call to craft alternatives. Macron reiterated: “There can be no peace in Ukraine without Ukrainians, without respect for their sovereignty.” The EU welcomed U.S. efforts but insisted on “joint support and consensus of European partners and NATO allies.” Trump set a Thursday deadline for Kyiv’s acceptance, per Fox News.
Broader Shadows: Boycotts and Deadlocks
Trump’s absence—sending only a chargé d’affaires for handover (U.S. hosts 2026 at his Florida golf club)—signals deepening U.S. withdrawal from forums like COP30. Ramaphosa bristled at U.S. “white genocide” claims against his government. Other no-shows: Argentina’s Milei (Trump solidarity), China’s Xi (health/travel limits), Russia’s Putin (ICC warrant). Deadlock at Brazil’s COP30 on climate loomed, with the declaration snubbing U.S. skepticism on human-caused warming.
Attendees included India’s Narendra Modi, Brazil’s Lula, Turkey’s Erdogan, and EU’s Ursula von der Leyen/Antonio Costa. As the summit unfolds, Macron’s plea hangs heavy: Re-engage or risk irrelevance in a fracturing world.
#G20Johannesburg #MacronG20 #TrumpBoycott #UkrainePeacePlan
