South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has played down reports that his country’s invitation to the upcoming G7 summit in France was withdrawn, saying it is not unusual for non-member states to be absent from the gathering.
Speaking on Thursday, Ramaphosa said South Africa is not a member of the Group of Seven and therefore its non-attendance should not be seen as a snub.
“The invitation to the G7 does not mean that you’re being ignored if you’re not invited,” he said, adding that many countries are not included in each summit.
The comments followed reports that the United States had pressured France to rescind Pretoria’s invitation, with claims that US President Donald Trump threatened to boycott the summit if Ramaphosa attended.
France, however, rejected the allegations, saying it had not acted under pressure and had instead chosen to invite Kenya as part of efforts to broaden engagement with Africa.
Paris, which holds the rotating presidency of the G7, said it would host leaders from several non-member countries, including India, Brazil, South Korea and Kenya, at the summit in Évian-les-Bains.
A spokesperson for the South African presidency had earlier suggested the invitation was withdrawn following “sustained pressure from the US,” noting that French President Emmanuel Macron had originally extended the invitation during the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
But Ramaphosa later contradicted that account, saying he had “no information” indicating pressure from any country.
“So many countries around the world don’t get invited to the G7, and we are not a member,” he said.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also denied any external influence, describing the guest list as part of a “streamlined” format and linked to preparations for a France-Africa summit in Nairobi.
A US State Department official likewise said Washington had not asked France to exclude South Africa, while a White House official said the invitation to Kenya followed consultations among G7 members.
The episode comes amid strained relations between Washington and Pretoria since Trump returned to office last year, with tensions over trade, diplomacy and South Africa’s foreign policy stance.
Trump has criticised Ramaphosa’s government over land reform policies and alleged discrimination against the white minority, claims South African officials have rejected as unfounded.
Relations have also been affected by US trade measures, including higher tariffs on South African goods, and diplomatic friction following remarks by US ambassador Brent Bozell, which Pretoria described as “undiplomatic.”
Despite the tensions, South Africa said efforts to reset ties with Washington are ongoing, while stressing that its relationship with France remains strong.