DailySun
Algiers – Enhancing the bilateral relationship between South Africa and Algeria is essential for fostering African economic integration, mutual prosperity, stability, and peace, as emphasized by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his visit.
While addressing the South Africa-Algeria Bi-National Commission in Algiers on Friday, December 6, 2024, President Ramaphosa remarked: “We share a conviction that fortifying our bilateral ties should work towards the goals of African economic integration, shared prosperity, stability, and peace.”
He stressed the crucial necessity to strengthen the African Union’s capabilities and implement AU frameworks, including the African Court of Justice, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and various AU financial institutions.
President Ramaphosa expressed his pride in participating in the 7th Session of the Bi-National Commission between South Africa and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.
He acknowledged Algeria for successfully conducting Presidential elections on September 7, 2024, which resulted in Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s re-election.
“We congratulate you on your re-election,” President Ramaphosa stated.
The President noted that the warm reception extended to the South African delegation reflects the profound and lasting ties between the two nations, cultivated during their liberation struggles.
This year marks thirty years since South Africa attained its democracy.
“We take this opportunity to pay tribute to all nations that supported our struggle against apartheid,” noted President Ramaphosa.
“The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria was amongst the greatest supporters.”
“We owe a considerable debt to the Algerian people.”
“Although we have achieved liberation, our journey towards development persists.”
The Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Algeria serves as a crucial platform to address issues relevant to both countries and the entire continent.
Bilateral relations between the Republic of South Africa and Algeria have thrived since the establishment of the Ministerial Joint Bi-National Commission of Cooperation in 1998.
This was elevated to a Bi-National Commission in 2000, highlighting the strategic significance of their existing relations.
This Bi-National Commission encompasses various fields of collaboration.
These areas include investment and trade, agriculture, water resource management, and information technology.
Additionally, partnerships extend to tourism and cultural exchanges among the peoples.
This Bi-National Commission underscores the vast potential for deeper cooperation.
President Ramaphosa asserted, “It is crucial to enhance bilateral investment and trade between our countries.”
South Africa mainly imports chemicals, mineral fuels, ceramic products, and machinery from Algeria.
Conversely, South Africa’s primary exports to Algeria include prepared foodstuffs, fresh produce, machinery, and base metals.
“We must leverage the comparative advantages of both South Africa and Algeria to boost investment and trade,” President Ramaphosa stated.
For example, Algeria is one of Africa’s leading producers of oil and natural gas.
Meanwhile, South Africa has abundant platinum reserves and is positioning itself to lead in the green hydrogen industry.
There are significant opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade and investment in sectors such as agriculture and agro-processing, aviation, automotive, mining, and financial services.
President Ramaphosa highlighted that the investment climate is favorable for collaboration in infrastructure development.
“We should prioritize our respective state-owned enterprises and businesses to mutually support each other’s infrastructure projects,” he said.
“We should not depend on sourcing materials, products, and expertise from outside our continent.”
“We need to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
Earlier this year, South Africa commenced preferential trade under the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area).
“We expect that more countries across the continent, including Algeria, will participate under the Agreement,” President Ramaphosa stated.
“We are dedicated to collaborating with Algeria on this front.”
“As we strive to uplift our nations and our continent, we must remain aware of climate change.”
Extreme weather phenomena resulting from climate change—including floods, heatwaves, and severe droughts—pose considerable social, economic, and political threats.
Similar to Algeria, South Africa is experiencing water scarcity.
The ramifications of climate change necessitate enhanced cooperation in water resource management.
With nations committing to low-carbon, climate-resilient growth, there are opportunities for collaboration in renewable energy and cleaner energy sectors.
“We look forward to the Business Forum scheduled alongside the Bi-National Commission, as it represents a vital opportunity for South African and Algerian businesses to connect and explore potential partnerships,” remarked President Ramaphosa.
“We convene at a moment when global peace, stability, and security are highly fragile.”
“In many areas across the globe, we witness the rise of unilateralism, impunity, and blatant violations of international law, which contradict the aspirations outlined in the UN Charter.”
“This undermines the essence of multilateralism that should guide global interactions.”
President Ramaphosa expressed South Africa’s deep concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.
Israel’s continued military operations against the people of Gaza persist unabated.
Over 43,000 Palestinians have perished in Gaza due to retaliatory attacks by Israel following Hamas’s surprise assault on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,100 deaths and many hostages taken.
“We reiterate our call for a cessation of hostilities, for the safe release of the remaining hostages, and for humanitarian aid to reach the Palestinian people,” President Ramaphosa stated.
“As we have continually emphasized, peace cannot prevail without justice.”
“The only lasting solution to this conflict is to recognize the Palestinian people’s rights to statehood.”
“It is incumbent upon the international community to support all endeavors toward this goal.”
President Ramaphosa also voiced concerns regarding Morocco’s ongoing occupation of Western Sahara.
“The people of Western Sahara have the right to shape their own destinies,” he asserted.
“The United Nations and the African Union must accelerate efforts to resolve this matter in accordance with the 1991 Ceasefire Agreement, UN resolutions, and the legal views of both international and continental bodies,” President Ramaphosa added.
“Having achieved our liberation through dialogue and negotiation, we reaffirm our commitment to resolving conflicts peacefully and fostering peacebuilding endeavors in Africa, whether in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Sudan, or Mozambique.”
Beyond the grave humanitarian toll, these conflicts threaten the realization of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims for peace and development across the continent.
“We restate our demand for reform and transformation of global governance institutions, notably the UN Security Council, to enhance their representation and relevance to global realities,” President Ramaphosa urged.
“As the Global South, we must remain united and articulate our interests with a unified voice.”
Recently, South Africa assumed the Presidency of the G20.
“We plan to use our Presidency to promote the African agenda and advocate for the needs and interests of the Global South,” he said.
“We eagerly await the first G20 Summit to be held on African soil.”
In a separate engagement, President Ramaphosa partook in a guided tour of the Mujahid Museum during his State Visit to Algeria.
This tour was led by Laid Rebigua, Minister of Moudjahidine and Rights Holders, alongside R Belkroca, the Museum’s Director General.
Strategically positioned beneath the Makam Echahid, this museum collects, preserves, and exhibits artifacts and memories from the fight against colonialism, which commenced with the French invasion of Algeria in 1830.
The museum also documents the uprisings in Sétif, Constantine, and Guelma in 1944, culminating with Algeria’s Liberation Day in July 1962.
Post-independence, Algeria actively supported South Africa during its struggles against colonialism and apartheid.
*All images credited to GCIS
