President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, have committed to strengthening relations between the two nations following bilateral talks at the Union Buildings on Friday.

President Ramaphosa, who hosted President Macron for a State Visit in Tshwane, said discussions spanned over a number of issues, including the COVID-19 response, climate change, global peace and security, and their relationship.

“It is on COVID-19 that we’re feeling France’s keen support and solidary, in that they’re prepared to take the lead in advocating Africa’s case. President Macron would like to see the whole continent succeed,” he said.

It is for this reason, he said, that South Africa was willing to cooperate with France on a number of forums on multilateral levels around the world.

South Africa and France have a shared interest in ensuring that multilateral efforts are effective in ending the pandemic, resuming international travel and commerce, accelerating economic recovery and strengthening public health systems.

“This pandemic has shown that disasters of this scale respect no borders and that no one is safe until all of us are safe.

“It is for this reason that we must accelerate our collective efforts to ensure that vaccines become a global public good and are made accessible to all countries in the shortest possible time,”  said President Ramaphosa.

As part of these efforts, Africa is working to develop its own vaccine production capabilities and capacity to ensure security of supply.

“While funding is key, it needs to be complemented by the transfer of technology and a commitment by international procurement agencies to buy vaccines made in Africa,” said the President.

The two leaders share a commitment to make the knowledge related to COVID-19 health technologies and products a global public good. They agreed to work towards expanding research, innovation and production beyond COVID-19 to promote public health security in Africa.

Trade, Climate Change

During the meeting, the Presidents reaffirmed the importance of bilateral trade and investment relationships. They will therefore continue working together to remove obstacles to bilateral and regional trade and investment.

Both countries, said President Ramaphosa, further agreed to work together towards the implementation of the EU-SADC Partnership Agreement and the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“We look forward to France’s continued involvement in the Square Kilometre Array intergovernmental radio telescope project, and its related fields of research and development.

“We recognise that the climate change threat, the loss of biological diversity and other global environmental challenges must be addressed with urgency and ambition,” President Ramaphosa said.

The Presidents said their nations were fully committed to the progressive development of a multilateral response to global environmental challenges, guided by science and the principles of fairness and equality.

They also agreed to continue working together towards a prosperous, secure and peaceful future for the African continent.

“We reaffirmed the bonds of friendship and solidarity that exist between our two countries, and we look forward to continued collaboration for the benefit of our peoples, our countries, our respective regions and the world,” said President Ramaphosa.

President Macron, who thanked President Ramaphosa for hosting him, said he was convinced that France’s commitment to assist Africa succeed, especially its youth, was a huge opportunity for the continent, while strengthening relations between the continent and Europe.

South Africa and France reaffirmed the bonds of friendship and solidarity that exist between the two countries and look forward to continued engagement that would benefit their peoples, countries and respective regions and the world.

Macron arrived in South Africa after visiting Rwanda on Thursday, where he engaged President Paul Kagame.

SAnews

The Zamfara State Government, while admitting that security personnel are overstretched, is demanding for special consideration through deployment of more personnel to tackle escalation of attacks by bandits in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the  Special Adviser Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications to Governor Bello Matawalle, Zailani Bappa, dated May  29, 2021

“Government is aware of the challenges faced by security commands especially as they seemed obviously overstretched.

In spite of the obvious shortfall, Government requests that special consideration should be given to Zamfara State in terms of the deployment of more forces for quicker response to all security threats.

It explained that following the recent escalation and the wave of attacks by bandits in some parts of the State, it has become necessary for the Government to further explain its previous and current position as well as additional measures being taken to contain the situation.

“The administration of His Excellency, Governor Bello Mohammed accords security a topmost attention. Since its inception precisely two years ago , it has carefully examined the situation and evaluated the available options.
” It consequently decided on the best way to address the lingering crisis that was increasingly assuming intercommunal and ethnic dimensions through dialogue and reconciliation with the feuding parties. This is in consideration of the fact that no meaningful development could be achieved if decisive and workable steps are not taken to address the problem at hand.
“In addition to the dialogue and reconciliation programme, the administration of Governor Bello Matawalle provided all the needed support required by our security agencies to enable them carry out their statutory responsibility more effectively.
“As you may recall, one of these is the procurement and distribution of 200 brand new vehicles to the security forces. There are a host of other supports being extended to the security forces by the administration,” it explained.

It pointed out that in spite of employment of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategy to defeat this nagging problem, the recent escalation in attacks by bandits in some parts of the state is a serious source of concern.
” It appears, or even certain, that some forces are bent on frustrating the efforts of this administration to address the security challenge. It is inconceivable that these attacks have been conducted despite  the effective  deployment of troops across all the blackspots in the State.
“In the above light, the Hon Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Alh. Abubakar Muhammad Dauran, had observed that part of the hurdles hindering the success of the fight against banditry in the State is the lack of quick response by the Security forces in the wake of attacks by bandits. Hence, all commanders deployed in the state are enjoined to take necessary measures that will ensure rapid response to distress calls,” it said.
The statement said that just as His Excellency, Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle commends the overall assessment of gallantry and commitment of troops and other security operatives in the state, the Government and good people of Zamfara State will always thank and appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for the concern and total support he shows on the plight of Zamfara citizens in the ongoing fight against banditry and other criminalities.