By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria is seeking the backing of South Africa in its bid to become a full member of the G20 and BRICS blocs.
The West African nation is also urging Johannesburg to support it attain the membership of BRICS New Development Bank (NDB).
South Africa on December 1 assumed the presidency of G20, a bloc which has countries such as, Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the UK, the US, as well as the European Union and African Union as members.
South Africa is the only African nation that enjoys membership of the bloc and Nigeria is also seeking the country’s support to assume leadership roles in thematic discussions of interest under the presidency of South Africa in G-20.
This request was made by the Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during her closing remarks at the ministerial session of the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, South Africa, on Monday, a statement from the presidency says.
The expanded BRICS, which South Africa is also a member, boasts of being the engine of global economic growth in recent years, accounting for about 37 per cent of the world’s GDP. Nigeria was only recently admitted as a partner nation.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, the Minister urged South Africa to lend its support in accelerating the peace process in Sudan.
She said President Bola Tinubu, who is a member of the ad-hoc mediation committee established by the African Union, has prioritized resolving the crisis to foster peace and stability in the region.
‘‘We are strongly committed to seeking a resolution of the crisis in Sudan and in this guise, we seek South Africa’s support to further accelerate the peace process and to ensure that within our region, conflicts are de-escalated.
‘‘We can hope that with peace, greater progress and development can be achieved across all spheres,’’ she said.
The Minister lauded the officials of both countries for working hard to present the draft communique, facilitate amendments and submissions raised at the ministerial session of the BNC.
In his response, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Roland Lamola, affirmed that South Africa would amplify Africa’s voice during its G20 presidency and ‘noted Nigeria’s requests.”
“We will count on Nigeria’s wise counsel as we assume this major responsibility,” he said.
Nigerian leader, Tinubu only participated in the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last month on the invitation of the President of the host country, Lula da Silva.
