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Solidarity considers the ANC’s domestic and foreign policies to be the reason for a US boycott of a G20 ministerial summit to be held in Johannesburg later this month.   

“It is disappointing that Marco Rubio will no longer be attending the G20 ministerial summit on 21 February. Unfortunately, the blame for this cannot be apportioned to anyone but the ANC,” Solidarity chief executive Dr Dirk Hermann said. 

Rubio announced his decision to boycott the G20 event early this morning (South African time) in a post on the platform X. 

One of the issues he raised in the post pertains to South Africa’s application of racial policies, designating them by using the American acronym for such policies, DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion). According to Hermann, the fight against South Africa’s racial policy is one that Solidarity has been waging with the government for a long time already. Solidarity plans to create even more awareness in this regard.

“It is now becoming clear how South Africa’s racial dispensation is also prejudicing our most important foreign relations. We therefore call on the South African government to free South Africa now from racial legislation so that we can indeed be more investment friendly. 

“Quite clearly, it is a prerequisite for participation by our main trade partners in the G20 summit itself which will take place in Johannesburg in November,” Hermann said. Hermann says Solidarity is going to come up with a major effort to change this racial dispensation before November, and to do it for the sake of South Africa. 

The campaign against restrictive racial policies is a positive action taken with a view to growth and job creation. Solidarity’s campaign will include dialogue with the South African government, legal action or the exertion of more pressure. More information about this will be announced soon.   

Issued by Solidarity