Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Jacob Zuma of South Africa on Tuesday pledged to work together to address the issues of security and other developmental challenges facing the African continent.
Zuma was on a one-day working visit to Nigeria on Tuesday. The two leaders held closed-door consultations upon the visitor’s arrival.
Issues of security challenges in Africa as well as 50 years of the existence of the African Union (AU) dominated discussions at the closed door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which later metamorphosed into African Union (AU), was formed on May 25, 1963 and will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next month in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Zuma’s visit to Nigeria which is coming ahead of a planned state visit by President Goodluck Jonathan to South Africa in the first week of May was used to harmonise the positions of both countries on important issues affecting the continent.
Zuma, while speaking with newsmen after the closed-door meeting, said both leaders met to strategise ahead of the state visit to South Africa by the Nigerian leader, adding that issues of security in Africa topped the agenda of their meeting.
According to the South African president, “Some of the issues raised were issues of security of the continent as you know that there have been some difficulties in a number of the countries. We touched upon those issues and certainly will take the issues further when we meet in South Africa.
“We are here to consult on matters related to the two countries and the African continent. As you know, very soon His Excellency, the president will be visiting South Africa on a state visit and therefore a lot of other issues will necessarily be dealt with. We thought we needed to consult particularly the situation in the continent”.
Zuma disclosed that it is important that both leaders aligned and harmonised their positions and thinking on matters affecting the continent before taking specific decision on the issues.
“We have had a very fruitful consultation and we believe that between Nigeria and South Africa, it is important to align and harmonise our thinking on matters that need the countries in the continent to take specific decisions”.
“But you are also aware that Africa will also be celebrating 50 years of the OAU and African Union establishment in the continent. And the issues really are we need to say what is it that we can look at and look forward beyond that time. We have had a very fruitful discussion”, Zuma said.
TONY AILEMEN, ABUJA
