South African President Cyril Ramaphosa(Right) and Kagame shake hands at a recent WEF summit in Davos – Switzerland
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed his attendance of the extraordinary African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government summit in Kigali– March 21, his office announced.
Fresh from a trip in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to meet his counterparts over the weekend, Ramaphosa scheduled his third trip to an African country as President to Rwanda.
He will lead a South African delegation that includes; Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Gratitude Magwanishe.
The Summit is expected to consider and conclude issues related to the continental free trade regime AfCFTA and adopt the Agreement on the establishment of the AfCFTA.
“South Africa is committed to the establishment of an AfCFTA that will boost intra-Africa trade in accordance with the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” Ramaphosa’s office said in the statement.
Ramaphosa joins a list of 26 heads of state who are expected in Kigali.
Meanwhile, preparatory meetings are already ongoing. Over the weekend, permanent envoys to the AU were held up in numerous sessions.
Today on Monday, foreign ministers are meeting.
