Nigeria, South Africa To Redouble Efforts To Expand Relationships, Deepen Cooperation
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Nigeria and South Africa have reaffirmed the existing strong historical bilateral relations and bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two countries and pledged commitment to redouble their efforts to expand and deepen cooperation in various sectors.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa, Mr. Ronald Lamola, made this commitment during a meeting held on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council in Accra.
The Ministers undertook to finalise preparations for the upcoming session of the Bi-National commission, which is scheduled to take place in South Africa.
While exchanging views on regional and continental matters including peace and security of the African continent, the two countries expressed grave concern at the on-going conflict in Sudan which has resulted in the loss of lives, exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, displaced millions of people, affecting women and children, and led to the total destruction of critical infrastructure.
The Ministers reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire, to end the conflict and the commencement of a process to expedite access to humanitarian assistance.
A statement by the Special Assistant to Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, notes, both nations are calling on the international community to take urgent concrete and practical steps that will facilitate conclusively, a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sudan.
