G20 Leaders' Summit done and dusted

The article is a transcript of an SABC News discussion analyzing the recent G20 Leaders Summit, the first held on African soil in South Africa. Key topics included global inequality, solidarity, and African development challenges requiring multilateral solutions. Notably, the United States absent itself from the two-day event, marking the first time a major superpower skipped the forum, yet the 19 participating nations (excluding the US) adopted a consensus declaration emphasizing climate-focused agendas and just energy transitions. Professor Alex Fandenha from the Vitz School of Governance highlighted the summit's success in fostering cooperation among developed nations like those from Europe, Canada, and Australia, despite US 'odd behavior' and accusations from the White House of South Africa 'weaponizing' the G20 presidency for climate priorities. He stressed the importance of addressing climate crises caused by industrialized nations, with commitments from Germany and Europe to support South Africa's energy transition, noting the US represents only 20-25% of global GDP while the rest demonstrated significant agency. International relations expert Klaus Muhamm (connection issues noted during broadcast) viewed the US absence as undermining G20 legitimacy and setting a dangerous precedent for future non-attendance by major powers. He praised South Africa's diplomatic handling of the G20 presidency handover to the US, which occurred at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) offices in Pretoria instead of the summit's closing ceremony, urging establishment of clearer protocols to prevent escalations. Concerns were raised about potential US retaliation, such as excluding South Africa from the 2025 G20 in the US or revoking visas, though Fandenha advised maintaining assertive yet bridge-building diplomacy for long-term relations, dismissing the current US administration's Africa views as shortsighted and likely to change post-elections. Overall, the summit was deemed successful in advancing African and global priorities, underscoring the G20's resilience without full US participation.