By Joy Odor
Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and
Mr. Ronald Lamola, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa have reaffirmed to redouble their efforts to expand and deepen cooperation in between the two countries in various sectors.
Tuggar and Lamola made the promise at a meeting on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council in Accra which was made available to newsmen in a press statement by Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister.
The Ministers exchanged views on regional and continental matters including peace and security on the African continent and expressed grave concern at the on-going conflict in Sudan which has resulted in the loss of innocent civilian lives, exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, displaced millions of people, affecting women and children, and led to the total destruction of critical infrastructure.
The Ministers reiterated a call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the conflict and the commencement of a process to expedite access to humanitarian assistance.
They undertook to finalise preparations for the upcoming session of the Bi-National commission, which is scheduled to take place in South Africa.
To this end, both nations call on the international community to take urgent concrete and practical steps that will facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sudan in an inclusive manner.
