South Africa and Nigeria recommit to deepening ties and seek ways to achieve lasting peace in warring Sudan
In a joint statement after holding a meeting on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council in Accra on the 19th of July, Mr. Ronald Lamola, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa & Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the two Ministers reaffirmed the existing strong historical bilateral relations and bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two countries and committed to redouble their efforts to expand and deepen cooperation in various sectors.
In addition, the ministers undertook to finalise preparations for the upcoming session of the Bi-National commission, which is scheduled to take place in South Africa.
Furthermore, they exchanged views on regional and continental matters including peace and security on the African continent partiicularly the on-going conflict in Sudan which has resulted in the loss of innocent civilian lives, exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, displaced millions of people, affecting women and children, and led to the total destruction of critical infrastructure.
Mr Ramola and Maitama Tuggar reiterated a call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the conflict and the commencement of a process to expedite access to humanitarian assistance.
To this end, both nations call on the international community to take urgent, concrete and practical steps that will facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sudan in an inclusive manner.
