South Africa, Ivory Coast strengthen ties with historic pacts

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - South Africa and Ivory Coast signed several agreements Thursday aimed at bolstering ties.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the cooperation pacts between his country and Ivory Coast are historic because this is the first state visit to the West African nation by a South African leader since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992.

“We have just witnessed the signing of 10 Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements in various areas of cooperation,’’ Ramaphosa said in a statement late Thursday.

Ramaphosa said they signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of youth and a cooperation agreement in the fields of women’s empowerment and gender equality.

He said the two countries also agreed to deepen trade and investment between their nations.

“Based on the priorities and comparative advantages of both our countries, we have agreed on the need to increase investment in value addition in agriculture and agro-processing, and in the development of the mining sector,” he said.

The South African leader said they also agreed to prioritize investment in public-private infrastructure projects as outlined in the 2021-2025 Ivorian National Development Plan.

Ramaphosa further said that both countries are looking to expand trade in petroleum products, fresh produce, and retail and agricultural products, and to explore opportunities for medical and educational tourism.

He said the number of South African investments in Ivory Coast is growing rapidly, with a number of companies including major banks and telecommunication companies operating in the West African nation.

Ramaphosa also used the opportunity to slam countries that have imposed travel restrictions on South Africa after its scientists discovered the omicron variant of COVID-19.

“As South Africa, we stand firmly against any form of health apartheid in the fight against this pandemic,” he said.

Ramaphosa was presented with honorary citizenship of the Autonomous District of Abidjan on Thursday, while his host President Alassane Ouattara bestowed on him Ivory Coast’s distinguished Order of the Dignity of the Grand Cross.

Ivory Coast is the second country Ramaphosa is visiting as part of his four-nation tour to West African countries. He made a state visit to Nigeria on Nov. 30 and will also visit Ghana and Senegal this week.