South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa had a telephone chat with French President Emmanuel Macron this week to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict and “other international matters of mutual concern”, acting presidential spokesperson Tyrone Seale said on Saturday.
Seale said during the telephone chat, which took place on 5 May, Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s view on the conflict, “emphasising the need to urgently resolve the conflict through negotiations to reach a lasting agreement.”
“The leaders discussed cooperation with the African Union to address the impact of the conflict on food and energy security on the African continent and among other vulnerable countries,” Seale said.
Ramaphosa congratulated Macron on his re-election in the French presidential elections held on 24 April, the official said.
Macron offered material support to South Africa in the aftermath of the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal province and other parts of the country.
The April 2022 floods left a trail of destruction and claimed over 400 lives in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring provinces.
Seale said Macron agreed to support the call for international vaccine buyers like COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to procure COVID-19 vaccines for Africa countries from manufacturers on the continent.
“This was necessary to ensure the viability and sustainability of Africa’s emerging vaccine manufacturing capacity.”
The leaders also expressed concern about the security situation in the Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique where Islamic State-linked militants have wreaked havoc since October 2017.
Macron confirmed France’s willingness to work with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in Mozambique and to support the European Union’s financial assistance to the SADC intervention force.
JN/APA