Addressing journalists at the end of official talks with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan in Cape Town on Tuesday, South African President Jacob Zuma has said that, in light of the instability in the Central African Republic, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mali, the need for an intervention “brigade” has become crucial.

“As we mark the golden jubilee of the African Union (AU) on May 25, it is crucial to build a stronger and well-resourced organisation to take forward the promotion of peace, security and the socioeconomic advancement of the continent. Decisive intervention is needed,” he said.

He added that Nigeria and South Africa shared a common vision on economic and political integration issues in Africa, as well as on the need for a sustainable conflict resolution mechanism in Africa that was primarily driven by Africans.

“Part of the capacity needed by the AU is the establishment of the African Standby Force for rapid deployment in crisis areas without delays and we must take cooperation further on these issues,” Zuma commented. 

South Africa and Nigeria had further collectively agreed on the need for the reform of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to reflect the realities of what Zuma called the “changed and changing” international environment.

The official State visit by Jonathan also saw the signing of several new agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries, which Zuma said prioritised economic cooperation and would be effectively implemented by the various Ministers.

The two countries enjoyed good bilateral relations, supported through a Bi-National Commission, which was officially inaugurated in 1999.

Zuma welcomed the participation of South African businesses in Nigeria in industries such as engineering, construction, media, banking, retail, hospitality, oil and gas exploration and services.

He said there were currently more than 100 South African companies doing business in the country, with the biggest investment observed in the telecommunications sector.

“We have also seen a keen interest from Nigerian business in investing and doing business in South Africa and I am certain that the South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum that is meeting in Cape Town, on Tuesday, will further boost economic relations between our two countries,” he said.

The Presidency reported that, last year, South Africa received a total of 73 282 Nigerian tourists, representing a 13.8% increase on the 64 402 Nigerian tourists who visited South Africa in 2011.

Data showed that Nigerian tourists contributed R720-million to the South African economy in 2012 and, in an effort to boost tourism links further, South Africa was in the process of opening a tourism office in Nigeria’s capital, Lagos.

“We urge South Africans to also visit Nigeria and explore this sister country, which has historically played a prominent role in the continent and in world affairs,” the President said.