Rubio to attend G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in France

African coverage focuses on reports that President Donald Trump tried to pressure Emmanuel Macron to disinvite South African President Cyril Ramaphosa from the G7, and on France’s denial of that claim. Commentators frame the story as part of a wider pattern of African leaders being sidelined from major global discussions that affect them, including wars that can hit commodity prices and trade. They question whether the G7 in France is willing to treat African partners as equal voices on Iran, Ukraine and global economic fallout.

• •French officials have publicly denied that Donald Trump asked Emmanuel Macron to withdraw an invitation to Cyril Ramaphosa for the G7.
• •African commentators argue that any attempt to exclude South Africa from G7 outreach would show disregard for African input on global crises.
• •South Africa is portrayed as seeking a role in talks on Iran and Ukraine because of their impact on trade, energy and food prices in Africa.
• •African reporting links the alleged disinvitation story to a longer history of Western powers limiting African participation in high-level meetings.
• •Some African voices warn that sidelining Ramaphosa at the G7 would weaken support for Western positions on Iran and Ukraine across the continent.