G20 presidency handover to US will happen ‘any time from Monday’: Lamola

South African Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola confirmed that South Africa will hand over the G20 presidency to the United States in the coming days, after the US failed to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg due to President Donald Trump's decision not to send high-level representatives. Initially boycotting the event, the US later requested participation through its chargé d’affaires, but Pretoria declined a summit handover citing protocol, opting instead for an equivalent official exchange at the Department of International Relations offices starting Monday. This arrangement upholds diplomatic respect and ensures a smooth transition, as affirmed in the G20 declaration outlining future presidencies including the US in 2026.