'We were not snubbed!' - South Africa’s Ramaphosa rejects claims of US-led G7 exclusion

"South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday dismissed reports that France had withdrawn an invitation for South Africa to attend the upcoming G7 summit, saying no formal invitation had been issued. "My information is that there's been no pressure from any country, the United States or any other country," Ramaphosa stated. The South African president added that attendance at the G7 is limited to member states, with non-members invited at the discretion of the host country. "And the invitation to the G7 does not mean that you are being snubbed," Ramaphosa continued. "If you are not invited or you are being ignored, and there are so many countries around the world that don't get invited to the G7, and we are not a member. And remember, South Africa is not a member. And when we do go, we are invited, and we take a message there." Earlier, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said France had rescinded an invitation to the June summit due to alleged pressure from the United States. France denied any external influence, saying the guest list — which includes countries such as India, South Korea, Brazil and Kenya — was determined independently."

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