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The Digest:

Africa is set to make history as South Africa hosts the inaugural G20 summit on the continent, bringing global leaders to Johannesburg under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” The gathering takes place amid strained U.S.-South Africa relations and growing global instability, revealing how symbolic leadership can emerge even from nations grappling with deep internal inequalities.

Key Points:
  • South Africa is the first African nation to host the G20 summit.
  • The theme focuses on disaster resilience, debt sustainability, and a just energy transition.
  • U.S. President Donald Trump is boycotting the event, calling South Africa’s presidency a “disgrace.”
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin and Argentina’s Javier Milei will also be absent.
  • The summit is held at the Nasrec Expo Centre, near Soweto.
  • South Africa will hand the G20 presidency to the United States next.
  • Trump has questioned whether South Africa should remain in the G20.
This landmark event positions Africa at the heart of global economic dialogue, yet underscores the geopolitical rifts that may shape the future of international cooperation.

Sources: PUNCH Online, AFP