"US Boycott Rocks G20 Summit as Ramaphosa Takes the Reins"

G20 Summit Closes Amid US Boycott and Handover Dispute South African President Cyril Ramaphosa closed the G20 summit in Johannesburg with a symbolic gavel strike, marking the end of a two-day event marred by a US boycott over allegations of racial discrimination against Afrikaners. The summit's success was touted by South Africa as a triumph for multilateralism, despite the US's absence, which was reportedly due to disagreements over the handover process for the next summit in Florida. According to The Guardian, the US had proposed that Ramaphosa hand over the summit to a relatively junior embassy official, which the South African president rejected. This move led to a boycott by the US, which had been expected to participate in the event. The absence of the world's largest economy tempered the tone of the summit, with the G20 issuing a joint declaration but failing to achieve a unified stance on key issues. The summit was presented as a triumph for multilateralism, with South Africa's government highlighting the participation of 19 countries, including major economies such as China, India, and the European Union. However, the US's absence was a significant blow to the event's credibility, and the handover dispute was seen as a major point of contention. According to a statement released by the South African government, the summit was a success despite the challenges posed by the US boycott. "The G20 summit has been a resounding success, demonstrating the commitment of our member countries to multilateralism and cooperation," the statement read. However, the US's absence was seen as a setback for the event, with some analysts suggesting that it could have a lasting impact on the G20's credibility. The G20 summit was held in Johannesburg from November 15-16, with the next summit scheduled to take place in Florida in 2025. The handover dispute is likely to be a major point of contention in the lead-up to the next event, with the US and South Africa still at odds over the issue. In a statement, a spokesperson for the US embassy in South Africa said that the US had participated in the summit in the past but had chosen not to attend this year due to the handover dispute. "We had proposed a handover process that would have allowed the next summit to be hosted by a junior official, but the South African government rejected this proposal," the spokesperson said. "We are disappointed that the summit did not achieve a unified stance on key issues, and we look forward to participating in future G20 events." The G20 summit's success was also tempered by allegations of racial discrimination against Afrikaners, which were raised by the US and other countries. According to The Guardian, the US had threatened to boycott the summit unless the South African government took action to address these allegations. However, the South African government has denied any wrongdoing, and the issue remains a point of contention. In conclusion, the G20 summit in Johannesburg closed with a symbolic gavel strike, marking the end of a two-day event marred by a US boycott and handover dispute. While the summit was presented as a triumph for multilateralism, the US's absence and the handover dispute are likely to have a lasting impact on the G20's credibility.