Algiers – According to President Cyril Ramaphosa during his visit, strengthening the bilateral relationship between South Africa and Algeria is essential for fostering economic integration, shared prosperity, stability, and peace across Africa.

During the South Africa-Algeria Bi-National Commission meeting held in Algiers on Friday, December 6, 2024, President Ramaphosa remarked, “The unity formed by our commitment to enhancing our bilateral relations should reflect our goals of African economic integration, shared prosperity, stability, and peace.”

He underscored the urgent requirement to enhance the African Union’s capabilities and to activate AU frameworks, including the African Court of Justice, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and various AU financial institutions.

Expressing his pride in addressing this 7th Session of the Bi-National Commission between South Africa and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, President Ramaphosa highlighted the significance of these discussions.

President Ramaphosa noted that South Africa praises Algeria for successfully conducting its Presidential elections on September 7, 2024, resulting in the re-election of Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

“We extend our congratulations on your re-election,” stated President Ramaphosa.

He remarked that the generous hospitality received by the South African delegation exemplifies the strong and lasting fraternal bonds between the two countries, forged during their shared struggle for liberation.

This year marks three decades since South Africa attained its democracy.

“We take this moment to honor the many nations that supported our pursuit of freedom from apartheid,” said President Ramaphosa.

“The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria was among our greatest supporters.”

“We owe a significant debt of gratitude to the people of Algeria.”

“Though we have achieved liberation, the journey towards development continues.”

The Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Algeria serves as a forum for discussing matters important to both nations and the broader continent.

Since the establishment of the Ministerial Joint Bi-National Commission of Cooperation in 1998, the bilateral relations between South Africa and Algeria have thrived.

This relationship was elevated to a Bi-National Commission in 2000, highlighting the strategic importance of the existing ties.

The Bi-National Commission covers various fields of collaboration.

These areas include investment and trade, agriculture, water resource management, and information technology.

The partnership also extends to tourism and cultural exchanges among their peoples.

This Bi-National Commission signifies the considerable potential for enhanced cooperation.

President Ramaphosa declared: “We must work together to increase bilateral investment and trade between our nations.”

South Africa primarily imports chemicals, mineral fuels, ceramic items, and machinery from Algeria.

On the other hand, South Africa’s leading exports to Algeria comprise prepared foodstuffs, fresh produce, machinery, and base metals.

“We should harness the comparative advantages of both South Africa and Algeria to boost investment and trade,” emphasized President Ramaphosa.

For instance, Algeria ranks as one of Africa’s foremost producers of oil and natural gas.

With rich platinum reserves, South Africa is positioning itself to lead in the green hydrogen sector.

There are vast opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investment in areas such as agriculture and agro-processing, aviation, automotive, mining, and financial services.

President Ramaphosa emphasized that the investment landscape is favorable for collaboration in infrastructure development.

“We should give priority to our respective state-owned enterprises and businesses to bolster one another’s infrastructure initiatives,” he asserted.

“We should not depend on sourcing materials, products, and expertise from outside our continent.”

“We must leverage the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.”

Earlier this year, South Africa initiated preferential trade under the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area).

“We expect that more countries across the continent, including Algeria, will engage under this agreement,” noted President Ramaphosa.

“We are dedicated to collaborating with Algeria in this effort.”

“As we aim to advance our nations and our continent, we must stay alert regarding climate change.”

Extreme weather events caused by climate change—including floods, heatwaves, and severe droughts—have significant social, economic, and political impacts.

Like Algeria, South Africa is facing challenges related to water scarcity.

The effects of climate change necessitate further collaboration in water resource management.

With countries committing to low-carbon, climate-resilient development, there are possibilities for partnership in renewable energy and cleaner energy sectors.

“We look forward to the Business Forum scheduled alongside the Bi-National Commission as a crucial opportunity for South African and Algerian businesses to connect and explore potential collaborations,” stated President Ramaphosa.

“We gather at a time when global peace, stability, and security are increasingly fragile.”

“Across many regions globally, we witness the rise of unilateralism, impunity, and blatant breaches of international law that contradict the objectives articulated in the UN Charter.”

“This diminishes the spirit of multilateralism that should be fundamental to global affairs.”

President Ramaphosa conveyed South Africa’s deep concern regarding the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.

The ongoing military actions by Israel against the people of Gaza persist without interruption.

More than 43,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza due to Israeli retaliation following Hamas’s unexpected attack on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,100 fatalities and numerous kidnappings.

“We reaffirm our demand for an end to the violence, the safe release of remaining hostages, and the provision of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people,” stated President Ramaphosa.

“As we have consistently emphasized, peace cannot be attained without justice.”

“The only sustainable resolution to this conflict is to recognize the Palestinian people’s rights to statehood.”

“The international community bears the responsibility to support all efforts toward this objective.”

He also expressed concerns regarding Morocco’s ongoing occupation of Western Sahara.

“The people of Western Sahara deserve the right to determine their own futures,” he remarked.

“The United Nations and the African Union must hasten their initiatives to resolve this situation according to the 1991 Ceasefire Agreement, UN resolutions, and the legal perspectives of international and continental organizations,” added President Ramaphosa.

“Having achieved our liberation through dialogue and negotiation, we reaffirm our commitment to peacefully resolving conflicts and fostering peacebuilding efforts across Africa, whether these conflicts arise in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Sudan, or Mozambique.”

Beyond the severe humanitarian impact, these conflicts threaten the realization of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to promote peace and development across the continent.

“We reiterate our call for the reform and transformation of global governance bodies, particularly the UN Security Council, to make them more representative and aligned with current global dynamics,” urged President Ramaphosa.

“As the Global South, we must remain united and articulate a unified voice.”

Recently, South Africa took on the Presidency of the G20.

“We plan to use our Presidency to advance the African agenda and advocate for the needs and interests of the Global South,” he noted.

“We eagerly look forward to welcoming you to the first G20 Summit held on African soil.”

In a separate event, President Ramaphosa partook in a guided tour of the Mujahid Museum during his State Visit to Algeria.

The tour was conducted by Laid Rebigua, Minister of Moudjahidine and Rights Holders, along with Director General R Belkroca.

This museum, strategically positioned beneath the Makam Echahid, preserves artifacts and memories from the struggle against colonialism, which commenced with the French invasion of Algeria in 1830.

The museum also chronicles key events from the uprisings in Sétif, Constantine, and Guelma in 1944, concluding with Algeria’s Independence Day in July 1962.

Following its independence, Algeria provided critical support to South Africa during its fight against colonialism and apartheid.

*All images credited to GCIS