Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg, citing South Africa’s emphasis on DEI and climate policies as troubling. This decision echoes ongoing tension between the U.S. and South Africa stemming from land expropriation laws that allow for government seizure of privately owned land without compensation, impacting historically white landowners. The situation may further sour diplomatic ties.
Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, has announced his decision to forgo attendance at the G20 summit scheduled to take place in Johannesburg later this month. He criticized South Africa’s focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as well as its climate change initiatives, labeling them as “very bad things” in a post on X.
The G20 summit is a significant diplomatic event in which leaders from the world’s wealthiest countries convene. Recent tensions between the United States and South Africa arose following South Africa’s introduction of new land expropriation laws, which President Trump opposed, threatening funding cuts to the nation. This legislation permits the government to seize land without compensation, primarily affecting white landowners, and replaces a previous law that mandated compensation.
In conclusion, Secretary Marco Rubio’s withdrawal from the G20 summit underscores the rising tensions over South Africa’s controversial policies concerning land expropriation and DEI initiatives. As international relations are tested, the implications of this estrangement may reverberate through diplomatic discussions pending the G20 summit.
Original Source: www.thedailybeast.com
