Nigeria has requested South Africa’s backing for its bid to achieve full membership in the G20, BRICS, and the BRICS New Development Bank.
The appeal was made by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during her closing remarks at the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission ministerial session in Cape Town.
She emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace and urged South Africa to assist in accelerating the peace process in Sudan, highlighting President Bola Tinubu’s role in the African Union’s mediation committee.
“We are strongly committed to seeking a resolution of the crisis in Sudan and this guise, we seek South Africa’s support to further accelerate the peace process and to ensure that 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.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu praised the collaborative efforts of both nations’ officials in drafting a communiqué to be presented to Presidents Tinubu and Cyril Ramaphosa.
In response, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Roland Lamola, affirmed that South Africa would amplify Africa’s voice during its G20 presidency and noted Nigeria’s requests for leadership roles in thematic discussions.
“We will count on Nigeria’s wise counsel as we assume this major responsibility,” he said.
‘‘Our people expect South Africa and Nigeria, given our common roots, to continue working together and more closely so that their conditions and prospects are improved and the quality of life is enhanced,”
The meeting set the stage for high-level engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and addressing key areas such as trade, investment, tourism, health, education, agriculture, ICT, artificial intelligence, arts and culture, climate change, defense, and security.
