![His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa receives His Excellency President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of the Republic of Angola during the Official State Visit at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. [Photo: GCIS]](https://theafricadailypost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/54199424376_a480a18ac8_k-860x690.jpg)
Pretoria, South Africa – South Africa and Angola have taken steps to deepen their bilateral ties, focusing on economic cooperation, peace, and sustainable development. President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to this partnership during a State Visit by Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Thursday.
President Ramaphosa expressed eagerness to see greater Angolan investment in South Africa’s economy. “South Africa looks forward to deepening its ties with Angola in the cause of mutually beneficial growth, continental economic integration, and sustainable development,” he said.
The visit included a ceremonial conferral of the Order of South Africa on President Lourenço, honoring him as a distinguished recipient of the nation’s highest accolades. President Ramaphosa remarked, “The people of South Africa collectively salute President Lourenço on being conferred with this very high honor. I congratulate you for being honored in this manner by South Africa.”
The two leaders are set to address a Business Forum aimed at fostering connections between South African and Angolan businesses. Ramaphosa emphasized ongoing structural reforms in both nations to create a more favorable environment for investment and business operations.
As part of their discussions, the presidents agreed to review over 44 bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding that have been signed since formal diplomatic relations were established. “This stock-take is necessary in the interests of strengthening the strategic partnership going forward,” Ramaphosa said.
On regional peace and security, Ramaphosa commended Lourenço for his mediation efforts as President of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and Facilitator of the Luanda Process. The leaders also voiced concern over the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Sudan and the political situation in Mozambique.
“South Africa pledges its full support for all efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Sudan,” Ramaphosa stated. “We are equally concerned about the post-electoral crisis in Mozambique and have agreed to work together to address peace and security challenges across the continent.”
Ramaphosa also congratulated Lourenço on his re-election, noting the significance of 2024 as a year of key elections in Africa, including in Angola and South Africa. He praised the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for its role in supporting democratic processes through election observer missions and for providing recommendations to strengthen electoral systems.
Both leaders reaffirmed their shared optimism about the health of multiparty democracy in Africa, describing it as robust and evolving.South Africa and Angola Strengthen Strategic Partnership
