The delinquent superpower, the United States of America and the African reality

The U.S. unilateral decision to boycott the G20 summit in South Africa is a dangerous manifestation of an "America First" foreign policy that habitually substitutes verifiable facts with politically convenient fiction. It's justification rests on the supposedly grave situation involving the "killing and slaughtering" of Afrikaners and illegal land confiscation in South Africa, claims that the South African government has strongly denied. This is not genuine international engagement; it is a cheap performance for domestic political consumption, betraying a fundamental disrespect for African sovereignty.

By using such inflammatory claims to refuse participation in a multilateral summit hosted by a sovereign African nation, the U.S. administration questions South Africa's legitimacy as a responsible global partner and an effective host, exposing interventionism masked as humanitarian concern.

For the Global South, this action underscores a fundamental untrustworthiness. Global governance requires consistent engagement on issues like economic stability, climate action, and development financing. South Africa aimed to centre this summit under the theme "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability." When a leading member threatens to pull out or dictates terms based on biased viewpoints, the credibility of the entire G20 framework is damaged. It signals that U.S. commitment is conditional, self-serving, and can be withdrawn on a whim, making a long-term, stable partnership impossible. Under this administration, the U.S. has become a delinquent superpower, unworthy of trust in multilateral forums.

The G20 summit hosted by South Africa was historic, the first on the African continent, with the African Union now a full member. It aimed to center African priorities, building on Global South momentum to elevate the continent's developmental needs. Rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu—the African concept of interconnectedness, the agenda was critical for all developing nations. By boycotting, the U.S. administration sidelined these African-led discussions, prioritizing transactional unilateralism over genuine multilateralism. This makes clear: for this Western power, Global South priorities are secondary to domestic politics.

A new vision: China's Global Governance Initiative (GGI)

In sharp contrast to the U.S. withdrawal and the instability it injects into global cooperation, the sustained engagement promoted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, particularly the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), is being justly championed across the Global South. The GGI, which builds upon the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), offers a vision of global order that resonates deeply with African aspirations for dignity and equality.

Africans increasingly view the GGI as the most promising route for equitable global participation due to its foundational principles.

First and foremost, the GGI firmly adheres to the principle of sovereign equality and non-interference. This means every nation, regardless of size or economic power, has an equal right to participate and be respected. Historically, Western engagement often came with demands to adopt specific governance models or structural adjustments. China's model, promoted through the GGI, supports non-interference in domestic affairs, offering African nations the crucial space to choose development paths that align with their own cultures, histories, and social dynamics.

Secondly, the GGI champions multilateralism with inclusion and representation. For decades, institutions created post-WWII failed to give Africa a commensurate voice in global rule-setting. China's proposal aims for a more multipolar and inclusive system where the African Union has a stronger say in financial architecture, trade rules, and global security—it seeks to reform the system to make it genuinely fair, not to destroy it.

Thirdly, the GGI focuses on development and practical results. China's approach, often seen through the lens of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), prioritizes tangible infrastructure and economic connectivity without the structural adjustment prescriptions often attached to Western aid. The GGI allows African governments the flexibility to manage their economies for long-term strategic growth—a trajectory that mirrors China's own successful economic ascent and contrasts sharply with models that demand immediate market opening over strategic industrialization.

Finally, the underlying concept of a "community with a shared future for humanity" moves beyond the traditional Western mindset of zero-sum competition. This framework suggests that global problems must be solved collectively, positioning global cooperation as a win-win scenario. It advocates for a world that respects cultural diversity and ensures that development benefits all people. This comprehensive, consistent, and respectful approach is why the GGI is proving to be the most attractive and beneficial platform for Africa's engagement with the world.

Moving forward: Africa's assertive path

The U.S. withdrawal from the G20 summit in South Africa should not be seen as a devastating blow to Africa, but rather as a clarifying moment. It starkly illustrates the fragility and inherent self-interest of a unilateral power that is willing to sacrifice multilateral cooperation for divisive internal politics. It powerfully reinforces the necessity for the continent to look beyond traditional Western alliances for genuine, stable partnerships and a strong voice in global affairs.

The G20 South Africa summit has concluded as a landmark success, demonstrating that the world's critical agenda can and will move forward without the U.S. participation. With unwavering focus on the summit's agenda of Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability, Africa has seized this historic opportunity on its soil to advance its vision for a fairer global economy. The principles championed by President Xi Jinping's GGI provide the necessary conceptual road map for this path. It is a vision for an international environment based on respect, equity, and tangible development cooperation. By partnering with those who respect its sovereignty and prioritize shared development, Africa can ensure outcomes that benefit its 1.4 billion people.

The author is Mafa Kwanisai Mafa, a Pan-Africanist political commentator based in Gweru, Zimbabwe.