Minister Ronald Lamola to Lead South African Delegation in Crucial Bilateral Talks with Mozambique

In an urgent response to the ongoing political disturbances in Mozambique following recent elections, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, is set to lead a high-profile delegation to engage in bilateral discussions with Mozambican officials on Wednesday, 18 December 2024. The meeting, aimed at fostering stability and cooperation, will convene at the scenic Paradise Creek Lodge in Malelane, Mpumalanga.

The South African team will include eminent figures from various sectors such as Defence, Home Affairs, Trade and Industry, Police, Transport, the Border Management Authority (BMA), and the South African Revenue Services (SARS), ensuring a comprehensive dialogue on various issues. The Mozambican delegation will be led by their Minister, Veronica Dhlovo, who will bring together counterparts from her country mirroring the South African officials in expertise and portfolios.

This bilateral summit is expected to pave the way for heightened collaboration between the two neighboring countries amidst the post-election challenges that Mozambique faces. Both delegations aim to discuss strategies to ensure peace and improve security measures along their shared borders.

One of the focal points of the conference will be the enhancement of protocols at the bustling Lebombo port of entry, vital for both nations’ trade and transportation. Following the meeting, Minister Lamola is scheduled to tour the port at 2pm to assess the operations and efficiency of the border processes. According to recent statements from the BMA, the port has maintained smooth operations despite the surge in holiday traffic, with over 52,000 travelers processed in just three days.

Moreover, the meeting is set to conclude with a joint press briefing where insights and decisions from the discussions will be shared publicly, marking a transparent step towards mitigating the current disruptions and setting a cooperative path forward.

As regional stability in Southern Africa hangs in the balance, this meeting between South African and Mozambican officials could be a cornerstone for future diplomatic and economic ties, ensuring mutual prosperity and security for both nations in these turbulent times.