Johannesburg — President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has not received any invitation from United States President Donald Trump to serve on a so-called peace board of directors.
“I have not been invited by President Donald Trump, so I’m not even checking my inbox. I haven’t been invited, and I’m happy to be here,” Ramaphosa said, responding to speculation about his possible involvement.
“I have not been invited by President Donald Trump about this board of directors for peace, so.. me I’m not even looking at my inbox, I’ve not been invited so I’m happy to be here” President Cyril Ramaphosa
“I didn’t go to Davos because we are preparing for the ANC Lekgotla, the… pic.twitter.com/CWS1iodj5L
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) January 21, 2026
The President also addressed his absence from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, explaining that he chose to remain in South Africa to focus on domestic priorities. He said he was preparing for the African National Congress (ANC) Lekgotla, the Cabinet Lekgotla and the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Ramaphosa’s remarks come as details emerge about Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace”, an initiative his administration is unveiling on the sidelines of the WEF.
According to AFP, the Board of Peace is an international body chaired by Trump and aimed at resolving conflicts and promoting stability in regions affected by war. The initiative was initially conceived to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, but its founding charter does not limit its scope to the Palestinian territory.
AFP reports that countries invited to join the board have been asked to contribute up to $1 billion for a permanent seat, although US officials have said funding beyond voluntary contributions is not formally mandatory. Membership is by invitation from the US president and is limited to heads of state or government.
@news_livesa President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a shift in the transport system following a devastating accident that claimed the lives of 12 learners on Monday, where a minibus taxi they were travelling in collided with a truck in Vanderbijlpark “There’s nothing as painful as having to deal with the death of your prized possession, your child, who is still young, and have to bury him or her,” Ramaphosa #newslivesa #news #SouthAfrica ♬ original sound – news_liveSA
Trump will chair the board and retain broad powers, including appointing and removing members of an executive board and creating or dissolving subsidiary entities. The executive board is set to include several high-profile figures, among them US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special negotiator Steve Witkoff, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, and World Bank president Ajay Banga, AFP said.
Dozens of countries have reportedly received invitations, including close US allies and geopolitical rivals. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky have both been invited, despite Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Some governments, including France and Norway, have indicated they will not participate, while others have expressed concern about sitting on a body that includes Russia.
Trump is expected to host a signing ceremony for the board in Davos later this week. The charter states that the Board of Peace will formally come into force once at least three states agree to be bound by its terms.
Ramaphosa has not commented on the structure or aims of the board beyond confirming that he has not been invited to participate.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
