France has withdrawn an invitation extended to Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the G7 summit in Evian in June following sustained pressure from the United States.
The South African presidency confirmed the development on Thursday, saying the decision came after Washington signaled it could boycott the summit if South Africa participated.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the invitation had initially been extended by Emmanuel Macron during the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
He said France was unable to risk the absence of a key G7 member, prompting the withdrawal of the invitation.
Magwenya said the decision was formally communicated by France ambassador to Pretoria, David Martinon, to the president special adviser on foreign affairs.
“We’ve accepted the French decision and appreciate the pressure they’ve been subjected to,” he said.
He added that South Africa would not seek further clarification and would continue to pursue constructive dialogue in resolving international disputes.
The presidency also stressed that the decision would not affect the close bilateral relations between Paris and Pretoria.
The development highlights rising geopolitical tensions between Washington and Pretoria, particularly in multilateral forums.
The United States has taken a firmer stance on South Africa role in global platforms following its leadership within the G20.
Washington has also announced that it will exclude South Africa from its G20 activities throughout 2026 after assuming the rotating presidency of the forum, an unusual move in global diplomacy.
France decision underscores the delicate balance it must maintain between its alliance with the United States and its engagement with emerging economies such as South Africa.
While Macron had previously shown support for South Africa during its G20 presidency, the latest development signals limits to that backing under external pressure.
Analysts say the move could have broader implications for participation in global forums, as geopolitical rivalries continue to shape international relations.
