标签： Africa

The G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, concluded on Sunday amidst heightened diplomatic tensions between the host nation and the United States. The dispute arose when South Africa refused to conduct the traditional handover of the G20 presidency to a U.S. official, citing the absence of a high-level representative from the American delegation. South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola emphasized that the summit is a leaders’ meeting, requiring representation at the level of a head of state, special envoy, or minister. The U.S., which is slated to assume the G20 presidency in 2026, had planned to host its summit at President Donald Trump’s golf club in Doral, Florida. However, South Africa deemed the proposed handover ceremony inappropriate and postponed it to a later date, possibly at its foreign ministry building.

The rift deepened when South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accused the U.S. of last-minute changes to its participation plans, a claim denied by the White House. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Ramaphosa for his comments, further straining relations. The summit also saw South Africa break with tradition by issuing a leaders’ declaration on the opening day, focusing on climate change and global wealth inequality. While the U.S. and Argentina opposed the declaration, other G20 members, including China, Russia, and several European nations, supported it. The declaration called for increased financial aid for poor countries recovering from climate-related disasters, debt relief, and support for their transition to green energy.

Despite the symbolic significance of the summit, questions remain about the G20’s effectiveness in addressing global crises such as the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East tensions. The 122-point declaration made only a passing reference to Ukraine, highlighting the bloc’s struggle to achieve consensus on geopolitical issues. French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the milestone of the first African G20 summit but noted the group’s challenges in establishing a unified stance on crises. Activists, however, praised the summit for centering attention on inequality and development priorities from an African perspective, marking a historic moment for the G20.

The Trump administration is intensifying its efforts to collaborate with Nigeria’s government to address violence against Christians, signaling a multifaceted approach that goes beyond potential military intervention. This strategy includes diplomatic measures, intelligence sharing, and assistance programs, as highlighted by a State Department official. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently met with Nigeria’s national security adviser to discuss solutions, emphasizing cooperation over unilateral action. This contrasts with President Trump’s earlier threats to halt all U.S. assistance if Nigeria fails to curb the violence. The administration’s approach aligns with Trump’s broader pledge to reduce foreign military engagements, even as the U.S. security presence in Africa has diminished. However, experts caution that Nigeria’s complex security challenges, involving militant groups like Boko Haram, farmer-herder conflicts, and armed banditry, require long-term solutions beyond military strikes. The Nigerian government has rejected unilateral intervention but welcomes collaborative efforts. Analysts stress that addressing the root causes of violence, such as economic disparities and interfaith tensions, is crucial for sustainable peace. The U.S. faces logistical challenges in mobilizing resources for potential intervention, given the reduced military footprint in the region. While the administration explores options, including sanctions and economic partnerships, the effectiveness of military action remains uncertain. The situation underscores the need for a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to address Nigeria’s multifaceted security crisis.

Guinea-Bissau is set to hold a pivotal presidential election on Sunday, with incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo vying for a second term. If successful, Embalo would become the first leader in the nation’s history to secure consecutive terms. The election unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political and ethnic tensions, compounded by the exclusion of the main opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), led by former Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira. Pereira was barred from the race after authorities claimed his party failed to submit its application on time. The election is widely regarded as one of the most contentious in recent history, with analysts warning of potential instability. Nearly half of the country’s 2.2 million population is registered to vote, and a runoff will be held if no candidate secures more than 50% of the votes. Embalo, a 53-year-old former army general backed by a coalition of over 20 political groups, faces stiff competition from 11 other candidates, including Fernando Dias da Costa, a 47-year-old relatively unknown figure supported by Pereira. The election comes at a critical juncture for Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest nations, which has struggled with coups, drug trafficking, and economic hardship since gaining independence from Portugal over five decades ago. Embalo’s campaign has focused on infrastructure development, while Dias has pledged to prioritize stability, freedoms, and security. The opposition has accused Embalo of authoritarianism and human rights violations, further fueling the political divide. The vote also follows a recent coup attempt in October and a prolonged legitimacy crisis surrounding Embalo’s tenure. Political analyst Augusto Nansambe lamented the erosion of democratic norms, stating, ‘The democracy we knew … is no longer the model we are experiencing; we are experiencing a model defined by a single person.’ Despite the challenges, some residents remain hopeful that the election will bring peace and prosperity to the nation. ‘I hope that these elections will bring peace and tranquility so that there is no more hunger,’ said Marinho Insoldé, a resident of the capital, Bissau.

The 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit commenced in Johannesburg on Saturday, marking a historic moment as the first G20 summit held on African soil. Under the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,’ the two-day event underscored Africa’s growing influence in global governance and its alignment with the development priorities of the Global South. The summit concluded with the adoption of the ‘G20 South Africa Summit: Leaders’ Declaration,’ which emphasized the need for more equitable global governance and reinforced the commitment to multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core. The declaration highlighted peace as a cornerstone for sustainable economic development and stressed the importance of international cooperation in addressing pressing global challenges, including economic inequality and instability. G20 leaders also acknowledged the urgent need to ramp up global investments to meet the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, calling for a significant increase in climate finance from billions to trillions of dollars. The declaration further emphasized the alignment of financial flows with climate objectives, alongside scaling up finance, capacity building, and technology transfer, particularly for developing countries. Additionally, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the swift implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, pledging to accelerate its full implementation. South Africa, which assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2024, became the first African nation to hold this prestigious role, with the United States set to take over on December 1, 2025.