Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – France has revoked an invitation to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the G7 summit in Evian in June.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said this follows sustained pressure from the United States, and included a threat by the US to boycott the summit should South Africa be represented.
Magwenya said President Ramaphosa had accepted France’s decision, which was personally conveyed by France's ambassador to South Africa, David Martinon,
“We have accepted the French decision and appreciate the pressure they have been subjected to,” he added.
France offered President Ramaphosa staunch support during South Africa’s G20 presidency last year which culminated in a successful Summit in Johannesburg in December. The US subsequently announced after taking over the rotating presidency of the forum that it would exclude South Africa from its activities throughout 2026.
President Ramaphosa on Thursday downplayed the snub, saying “my information is that there was no pressure from any country, whether the United States or another country”. He added that “it does not mean that you are being dismissed or ignored if you are not invited to the G7”.
-0- PANA CU/MS 27March2026
