NIGERIA: South African President Zuma and President Jonathan hold talks on African security

Record ID: 236025

  • Title: NIGERIA: South African President Zuma and President Jonathan hold talks on African security
  • Date: 16th April 2013
  • Summary: ABUJA, NIGERIA (APRIL 16, 2013) (REUTERS) ( *BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) CAR WITH SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA ARRIVING AT PRESIDENTIAL VILLA ZUMA SHAKING HANDS WITH NIGERIAN PRESIDENT, GOODLUCK JONATHAN, ENTERING VILLA (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT, JACOB ZUMA, SAYING: "We believe that between Nigeria and South Africa, it's important to align and harmonise our thinking on the matters that need countries in the continent to take specific decisions. But at the core of some of the issues raised is the issue of security of the continent. As you know that... There has been some difficulties in a number of countries. We touched upon those issues and we'll certainly take the discussions further when we meet in South Africa. But we are also aware that Africa is going to celebrate fifty years of OAU and AU establishment in the continent. And the issue really we needed to say, what is it that we can look at and what is it that we can look forward ." ZUMA AND JONATHAN LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 1st May 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Crime,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6I9JPHTKTEMSRCS9XY71U54EP
  • Story Text: South Africa's president Jacob Zuma meets with Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan to discuss security on the African continent.
    South Africa's president, Jacob Zuma met with Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday (April 16) to discuss how to develop economic ties and to increase the continent's security.
    The two countries agreed to expand economic ties within the framework of the bilateral commission, South Africa presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said.
    The two presidents also discussed the security of the African continent, Zuma told journalists after the meeting.
    "At the core of some of the issues raised is the issue of security of the continent... There has been some difficulties in a number of countries. We touched upon those issues and we'll certainly take the discussions further when we meet in South Africa," Zuma told journalists.
    Echoing the discussions he had with Algerian president on Monday, Zuma expressed concerns at soldiers in regular armies becoming rebels and seeking to establish new regimes, Maharaj said. The two presidents agreed to search for a solution within the framework of the African Union.
    "We are also aware that Africa is going to celebrate fifty years of OAU and AU establishment in the continent. And the issue really we needed to say, what is it that we can look at and what is it that we can look forward," Zuma added, referring to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) established in 1963 and the Africa Union that replaced it in 2002.
    Jonathan is due to visit South Africa in May, Maharaj said.
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