South African President Backtracks on US Role in G-7 Summit Snub

South Africa walked back its claim that US pressure led to its disinvitation from an upcoming Group of Seven summit in France.

Pretoria’s presidency spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, had said on Thursday afternoon that an invitation to attend the meeting scheduled to take place from June 15-17 had been withdrawn because of “sustained pressure” from Washington. Hours later, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country hadn’t been snubbed.