France denies dropping South Africa from G7 Summit over US pressure

France has dismissed claims that it bowed to pressure from the United States to withdraw an invitation to South Africa for the upcoming G7 summit scheduled for June.

Earlier reports from the South African presidency suggested that Washington had urged Paris to disinvite President Cyril Ramaphosa from the meeting.

However, France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, refuted the allegation, stating that no such pressure influenced the country’s decision.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, Barrot explained that Kenya—not South Africa—was selected to attend the summit taking place in Evian, France.

“We did not give in to any pressure,” he said, adding that the decision was in line with France’s plan to host a more streamlined G7 focused on geo-economic issues.

The minister did not clarify whether South Africa had initially been invited, but emphasised that France maintains strong diplomatic ties with the country.

He described South Africa as a key partner and noted that both nations remain in close contact on major global matters.