South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (commonly referred to as Western Sahara)—Brahim Ghali in a state visit to Pretoria today.
President Ghali arrived for a State visit held at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, to consolidate further the already strong relationship between the two African nations.
Discussions will include South Africa’s ongoing support for Western Saharan statehood as Pretoria remains a major donor of humanitarian aid and a significant political ally.
After almost half a century of deadlock, Morocco continues to oppose anything more than autonomy. International mediation efforts have failed to achieve a breakthrough.
A Security Council held on Monday closed consultations, under the presidency of Gabon, on the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in the light of the report of the Secretary-General on the situation with regard to Western Sahara dated October 3, 2022.
Ramaphosa visited Saudi Arabia last week, where he met Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud and participated in a round-table session between the South African and Saudi Arabian business communities.
The president is also expected to pay a state visit to Britain, the first such visit since King Charles succeeded his mother Queen Elizabeth last month.
