President Bola Tinubu is set to depart France on Monday for Cape Town, South Africa, to co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This comes after Tinubu’s three-day official visit to France, which he undertook on the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. Tinubu left Abuja last Wednesday for the visit.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, highlighted that the presidential session of the BNC is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, and will be preceded by a ministerial meeting on December 2 at the South African Parliament Building in Cape Town.
High-Level Discussions on Mutual Interests
President Tinubu and President Ramaphosa are expected to engage in comprehensive discussions on bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest.
According to the statement, “Building on the commitments from their June 20, 2024, meeting in Johannesburg shortly after President Ramaphosa’s inauguration for a second term in office, the two leaders will review the progress achieved since the 10th session of the BNC held in Abuja from November 29 to December 1, 2021.”
The statement added that the session will involve deliberations across eight working groups focused on specific areas of cooperation, including political consultations, consular and migration issues, banking and finance, defence and security, manufacturing, social sector, mines and energy, and trade and investments.
“At the high-level meeting, officials of both countries will sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements,” the statement noted.
Celebrating 25 Years of the BNC
Established in 1999, the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission aims to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
“The first session at the Heads of State level was held in October 2019 in Pretoria,” the statement explained.
It added, “The BNC provides a platform for sustaining high-level dialogue and promoting cooperation in critical areas such as diplomacy, economy, trade, security and other areas of mutual interest. This year’s meeting is particularly significant as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Commission, a testament to the enduring friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa.”
Tinubu to Be Accompanied by High-Level Delegation
The statement disclosed that President Tinubu will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including state governors, ministers, and senior government officials.
“He will return to the country after the BNC meeting,” the statement added.