Nigeria has reached out to South Africa seeking support for its bid to join Brics and become a member of the G20. Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu made this request during the ministerial session of the 11th South African-Nigerian binational commission in Cape Town.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized Nigeria’s desire for South Africa’s backing in obtaining full membership of the G20 and taking on leading roles in thematic discussions under South Africa’s leadership. Additionally, Nigeria is seeking South Africa’s support for its membership in Brics and the New Development Bank.
Last year, Nigeria expressed its ambition to join Brics within two years and was among 13 countries invited to become Brics partner nations at the bloc’s summit in Russia. The summit, which included representatives from 36 nations, showcased the interest of several countries in becoming full members, signaling defiance in the face of Western isolation over the war in Ukraine.
While some countries, including Russia, have been open to expanding Brics membership, South Africa has been cautious about further enlargement. Brazil and India, as founding members, have also shown hesitation. South Africa views Brics as a developmental platform and has not supported projects aimed at de-dollarization, although it sees the benefits of Brics partners trading in their local currencies.
Despite US president-elect Donald Trump’s threat of imposing 100% tariffs on Brics nations if they create a new currency to rival the dollar, South Africa remains focused on Brics as a developmental platform. The country aims to leverage its G20 presidency to advocate for Africa’s demand for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council.
The South African-Nigerian binational commission highlighted a significant improvement in relations between Abuja and Pretoria, with discussions focusing on cooperation in crime, defense, and the mining sector. The two countries also addressed the civil war in Sudan, with Nigeria seeking South Africa’s support in mediating the conflict.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was set to hold talks with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Cape Town, with Sudan expected to top the agenda. Peace initiatives in Sudan have not yielded progress, prompting the need for a concerted African-led effort to end the conflict and prevent lasting regional instability.
Overall, the meeting between Nigeria and South Africa signifies a new chapter in their relationship, marked by cooperation on various fronts and a shared commitment to peace and stability in the region.
