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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigeria has asked South Africa to support its goal of becoming a full member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), the G20, and the BRICS.
Under South Africa’s G20 presidency, Nigeria is also looking for South Africa’s assistance in order to take the lead in relevant topic debates.
The request was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during her closing remarks at a ministerial session of the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, South Africa, yesterday.
On December 1, South Africa formally became the group of 20’s president, a club that consists of the richest countries in the world. The enlarged BRICS, of which South Africa is a part, claims to have been the driving force behind recent global economic expansion, contributing roughly 37 per cent of global GDP.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, the minister urged South Africa to lend its support in accelerating the peace process in Sudan.
She said President Bola Tinubu, who is a member of the ad-hoc mediation committee established by the African Union, has prioritised resolving the crisis to foster peace and stability in the region.
‘‘We are strongly committed to seeking a resolution of the crisis in Sudan and in this guise, we seek South Africa’s support to further accelerate the peace process and to ensure within our region, conflicts are de-escalated.
‘‘We can hope that with peace, greater progress and development can be achieved across all spheres,’’ she said.
The minister lauded the officials of both countries for working hard to present the draft communique, facilitate amendments and submissions raised at the ministerial session of the BNC.
The draft communiqué and agreed minutes will be presented to President Tinubu and President Cyril Ramaphosa at the presidential BNC session today in Cape Town.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Roland Lamola, responded by noting Nigeria’s wishes and reaffirming that South Africa would strengthen Africa’s voice during its G20 leadership.
“We will count on Nigeria’s wise counsel as we assume this major responsibility,” he said.
Lamola, who co-chaired the BNC session, emphasised the mutual resolve to deepen dynamic and vibrant bilateral relations.
‘‘Our people expect South Africa and Nigeria, given our common roots, to continue working together and more closely in order that their conditions and prospects are improved and the quality of life enhanced,’’ he said.
Lamola highlighted priority areas of collaboration, including trade, investment, tourism, health, education, agriculture, ICT, artificial intelligence, arts and culture, climate change, defence, and security.
He stressed the importance of expediting the finalisation and implementation of outstanding agreements under the BNC framework.
The ministerial meeting sets the stage for the high-level engagement between presidents Tinubu and Ramaphosa, where key agreements will be signed and initiatives to strengthen the strategic partnership between Nigeria and South Africa unveiled.
