- Title: South Africa, Nigeria mend relations and agree trade deals
- Date: 3rd October 2019
- Summary: PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA (OCTOBER 3, 2019) (REUTERS) MILITARY GUARD PARADE
- Embargoed: 17th October 2019 14:16
- Keywords: agreements trade deals Nigeria violence relations South Africa Muhammadu Buhari Cyril Ramaphosa foreigners
- Location: PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
- City: PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001AZJK0UF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:South Africa and Nigeria signed 30 trade and cooperation agreements on Thursday (October 3), weeks after a wave of violence against Nigerian nationals in Johannesburg and Pretoria had strained relations between Africa's top two economies.
In September, mobs armed with makeshift weapons attacked businesses and homes owned by foreigners, leading to at least 10 deaths, dozens of injuries and up to 400 arrests. In response Nigeria repatriated around 600 of its citizens living in South Africa.
Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Muhammadu Buhari, at the conclusion of a two-day visit by the Nigerian leader, said they regretted the violence and subsequent retaliation in Nigeria against South African businesses, pledging instead to deepen trade ties.
Ramaphosa said the two countries had sealed 32 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding covering trade and industry, science and technology, defence, agriculture and energy.
Buhari said beyond the economic partnership the anti-foreigner violence had to be addressed quickly.
(Production: Siyabonga Sishi) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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