POSITIVE
Sentiment Analysis:
The content portrays South Africa (represented by Pretoria) as assertively setting terms for the US's return and rejecting a junior delegation at the G20 handover, emphasizing its strong and influential position in international relations.
Pretoria sets terms for US return, says no to junior delegation at G20 handover
Executive Summary
South Africa is pushing back against the United States' decision to send chargé d’affaires Marc Dillard to receive the G20 presidency handover at the leaders' summit, viewing it as an insult to protocol. President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed the late notice from the US embassy and noted ongoing discussions, seeing it as a positive shift from boycott threats but insisting the president cannot hand over to a junior diplomat. High-ranking officials stressed that the G20 process is bigger than one country, rejecting US attempts to undermine the summit declaration through warnings and ally pressure. Pretoria plans to proceed with consensus among the 19 attending members plus the EU and AU, prioritizing global issues over diplomatic friction.