On 29 August 2018, HE, Minister Lindiwe Sisulu received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, H.E. Mr Abdelkader Messahel on a Working Visit to South Africa.
During their discussions, the two Ministers fondly recalled the historical and fraternal bonds between South Africa and Algeria, acknowledging that these bonds were cemented during the period of liberation struggle against colonialism and apartheid when Algeria supported and trained cadres of the liberation movements including former President Nelson Mandela.
The Ministers noted that their meeting was taking place during a year South Africa was celebrating the centenary of former President Mandela.
The two Ministers exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral, continental and international issues of mutual concern.
The Ministers expressed satisfaction with the quality and depth of bilateral cooperation between the two countries which continues to show growing dynamism. In this regard, the two Ministers acknowledged the existence of thirty-three bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding which cover a wide range of fields such as trade and industry, diplomacy, defence, energy, arts and culture, sports, science and technology, agriculture, education and health.
The two Ministers noted the strategic importance of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) as a structured bilateral mechanism to coordinate and forge bilateral cooperation and partnership between the two countries. In this regard, both Ministers agreed on the need to hold the seventh session of the BNC on a mutually agreed date and venue.
The Ministers noted the growing economic and social cooperation. In this regard, they agreed on the need to pay a particular focus on economic cooperation through trade and investment initiatives.
On the continental issues, the two Ministers discussed the issue of the Western Sahara and reaffirmed their position which is the attainment of the right for self-determination of the Saharawi people and decolonisation of Western Sahara and the rapid resolution of the conflict within the framework of international legality.
The two Ministers expressed their full support and confidence in the efforts of the African Union (AU) Special Envoy for Western Sahara, HE former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and their commitment for a speedy implementation of the 30th Summit of the African Union (Assembly/AU/Dec. 677 (XXX) calling on the two members states, the Kingdom of Morocco and Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, to engage without preconditions in direct and serious talks to put an end to their conflict.
The two Ministers emphasised that, with her admission into the AU, the Kingdom of Morocco has an obligation to adhere to the principles and goals enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act, especially the need to respect colonial borders as they existed at the time of independence.
The two Ministers expressed their full support and confidence in the efforts undertaken by the United Nations Secretary General Personal Envoy for Western Sahara H.E. Horst Kohler, to bring both the Polisario Front and the Kingdom of Morocco to resume direct negotiations in good faith and without preconditions and mobilise the international community to implement all United Nations Resolutions on Western Sahara.
The Ministers also exchanged views on the political and security situation on the Continent, and noted with concern the continued instability and conflict in some parts of the Continent. The two Ministers condemned in the strongest possible terms all forms of terrorism and extremism.
The two Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to working together in pursuit sustainable peace, stability and development on the Continent.
Both Ministers noted the noticeable strides by the Continent to advance continental integration as demonstrated by the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) Agreement. They commended those member states that have signed the Agreement and urged member states that have yet to sign and ratify to do so in the shortest period of time. The Ministers also observed that the Continental Free Trade Area will go a long way in facilitating intra-African trade and investment.
The two Ministers further called for the implementation of the AU’s Agenda 2063 and its Action Plan, as well as the urgent need to pursue Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
The two Ministers expressed concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the occupied palestinian territory. In this regard, they reaffirmed their support to a lasting and just solution to the Palestinian question, and reiterated the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent State with (El-Qods) (East Jerusalem) as Capital.
Both Ministers reiterated their common view on the need to promote multilateralism and South-South Cooperation. In this regard, they also reiterated the call for the reform of global system of governance to be more equitable and representative of all peoples of the world, in particular the UN Security Council.
Minister Messahel, on behalf of his delegation congratulated South Africa on its election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member for the period 2019 -2020. In response, Minister Sisulu expressed her appreciation to Minister Messahel for Algeria’s support for South Africa’s candidature to the UNSC.
The two Ministers agreed to hold regular consultations whenever deemed necessary.
In conclusion, H.E. Minister Messahel further expressed pleasure on visiting South Africa during Women’s Month and during the Centenary Celebrations of icons Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu, and invited H.E. Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to pay a working visit to Algeria. Her Excellency accepted the invitation with great pleasure.
