South Africa Seeks Strengthened Relationship With Nigeria

South Africa is seeking to deepen its relationship with Nigeria in areas of the citizenry and economy, among others. The South African President Cyril Ramaphosa made the proposal on Wednesday when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He briefed State House correspondents that his meeting with the President focused on binational commission between Nigeria and South Africa. Mr Ramaphosa regretted the killing of Nigerians in his country which he described as a criminal act but noted that the good people of South Africa are leaving peacefully with Nigerians. He attributed the killings to unemployment and abject poverty in the country and promised the Nigerian government that they as working hard to curb the criminality. On his part, President Buhari thanked his guest for the visit, saying he was studying the African Free Trade Agreement with a view to signing it soon. Following the visit, officials of Nigeria and South Africa are to work together in preparation of the next binational meeting between both countries scheduled to hold later this year in South Africa.]]>