Ramaphosa to Host French President on Friday in Pretoria, South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday host France’s President Emmanuel Macron on a State Visit at the Union Buildings, in Pretoria, South Africa.

“President Macron’s first visit to South Africa at the invitation of President Ramaphosa is aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries, which is substantiated by a number of bilateral agreements in various areas of cooperation,” said Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Thursday.

She said the visit will focus on issues pertaining to the global response to COVID-19 and the economic, health, research and manufacturing responses to the current pandemic and beyond.

President Ramaphosa was earlier this month invited, along with other African leaders, to a summit in Paris where he met alone with President Macron for what appeared to be a very positive meeting. The French President expressed an interest in establishing a partnership with South African vaccine-producing institutions, to enhance manufacturing capacity.

The leaders will also discuss the expansion of mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities, as well as the situation in Mozambique.

South Africa is France’s largest trading partner in Africa while France is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner within the European Union trading bloc.

Macron recognises France’s responsibilities in Rwanda

Today in Rwanda, as part of his Africa Tour, President Macron delivered a powerful speech about the 1994 Rwandan genocide, acknowledging that France played a role but was not an accomplice. Speaking at the memorial site, he said: “Only those who went through that night can perhaps forgive, and in doing so give the gift of forgiveness” and that “I hereby humbly and with respect stand by your side today, I come to recognise the extent of our responsibilities”.

Rwanda’s President said “his words were more powerful than an apology”, whilst a survivor who still bears the physical scars of being attacked, and who lost her parents and siblings, told Reuters: “After hearing this speech of the French president, it touched my heart and I am very happy that the French acknowledge their responsibilities. I forgive France.”

Sources include Reuters and SAnews.gov.za