President Ramaphosa has concluded his Working Visits to Angola, Botswana and Namibia
President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded his three nation trip to the Republics of Angola, Namibia and Botswana where he held consultative meetings with the Heads of State from the respective countries.
The visit forms part of a long-standing tradition in the region, whereby newly elected Heads of State pay courtesy calls to the neighbouring countries.
During the visit, President Ramaphosa met President Joao Lourenço of Angola, President Hage Geingob of Namibia and President Lt Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama of Botswana as well as the SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax.
The President and his counterparts discussed bilateral cooperation as well as regional, continental and global issues of mutual concern.
President Ramaphosa paid a particular focus on the latest political and security developments in the Region including the regional economic integration agenda in the Southern African Development Community.
President Ramaphosa is now the Chair of SADC while President Lourenco of Angola chairs the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
“Firstly as a Chairperson of SADC I thought it was appropriate to meet with President Lourenço, who is the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, to discuss peace and security issues in the region, particularly in Lesotho, Madagascar as well as in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” President Ramaphosa said.
After a visit to Namibia as the incoming Chair of SADC after South Africa, the President concluded his trip by paying a courtesy call to the outgoing Botswana President Lt. Gen Khama in Gaborone where the two Heads of State agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations between South Africa and Botswana.
In his capacity as the Chairperson of SADC, President Ramaphosa also visited the SADC headquarters in Gaborone and held constructive talks with the SADC Executive Secretary, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax.
President Ramaphosa was accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu and the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
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