South Africa's G7 Invitation Withdrawn Over US Pressure Claims

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's invitation to the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian, France, from June 15 to 17 has been withdrawn, prompting accusations from Pretoria of U.S. pressure on host France, though both Washington and Paris have denied any such influence. The development highlights ongoing tensions in diplomatic relations between South Africa and the United States, amid broader global discussions on international forums and foreign policy differences.

The invitation had been extended personally by French President Emmanuel Macron to Ramaphosa during the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg last November. South African presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated that the French government informed Pretoria the invitation was rescinded due to sustained pressure from the United States, including threats of a U.S. boycott if South Africa attended. "That's the communication we received from the French government," Magwenya told reporters.

France rejected the claims of external coercion. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that Paris made an independent choice to streamline the summit, focusing on geoeconomic issues, and invited Kenya as the African...