ANC hopes G20 members will speak ‘sense’ to US

THE ANC says it hopes member states of the G20 will speak to the United States President Donald Trump's administration and convince them to include South Africa in the G20 Leaders Summit set to be held in Miami next year.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU [e-mail]

This follows Trump's remarks that South Africa will not be invited to attend the summit. This led to criticism from Pretoria.

ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member Thandi Moraka told IOL News that the party has established a commission to focus on international relations issues, particularly the strained ties between South Africa and the US.

Moraka spoke to the publication on the sidelines of the ANC's national general council (NGC) meeting at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, on Tuesday. This is where the party is reviewing its performance over the current term.

"South Africa's foreign policy, especially regarding diplomatic relations with other countries, remains independent," she said.

"We continuously evaluate our diplomatic ties with countries like the US whenever we engage with them."