SA won’t hand over G20 to junior US official, says Presidency

The White House has said that South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa was "refusing to facilitate a smooth transition of the G20 presidency" after initially saying he would pass the gavel to 'an empty chair.' Meanwhile, Ramaphosa stands firm, rejects Trump’s demand for low-level G20 handover. The South African presidency on Saturday reiterated its rejection of a U.S. offer to send the U.S. charge d'affaires for the G20 handover. It's a breach of protocol that is not going to be accommodated," spokesperson Vincent  Magwenya said. "It’s the G20 plus the African Union, plus the European Union, therefore we can’t then bend the rules just for one country. We need to respect the countries who are part of the process who’ve worked tirelessly to make sure that this G20 is a success that it is now.” said Magwenya
Ramaphosa said, “We are not hosting the G100, we have convened the G1000000!” As the B20 presidency is handed over to US Chamber  President and CEO Suzanne Clark. "This, coupled with South Africa’s push to issue a G20 Leaders Declaration, despite consistent and robust U.S. objections, underscores the fact that they have weaponized their G20 presidency to undermine the G20’s founding principles," said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly. Trump looks forward to "restoring legitimacy" to the group next year, when the U.S. holds the rotating presidency.