Press Release
In-House Meeting with H.E. Ambassador Mthuthuzeli Madikiza, the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to Pakistan
on
February 23, 2021
The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted an In-House Meeting with H.E. Ambassador Mthuthuzeli Madikiza, the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to Pakistan. Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General, ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, BOG ISSI, Ms. Amina Khan Director CAMEA, and Team CAMEA had an interactive session with him.
Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, DG ISSI, warmly welcomed the Ambassador and briefed him about the structure and the activities of ISSI. Ambassador Chaudhry said that Pakistan highly valued its relationship with South Africa.
While giving a presentation on the overall working of CAMEA, Ms. Amina Khan remarked that academic and research interaction between both sides was key to strengthening Pakistan-South Africa bilateral relations.
Ambassador Mthuthuzeli Madikiza expressed his desire for closer collaboration with CAMEA and ISSI. He appreciated the work which CAMEA has done so far and remarked that this work will help in understanding how Pakistan’s “Engage Africa” policy will unfold in broader terms. In this regard, he expressed his desire to facilitate collaboration between the ISSI and reputed South African think tanks.
While talking about the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) which came into effect this year in January, Ambassador Madikiza said that the agreement is a vehicle to establish relations based on trade and commerce and hoped that the agreement could be extended to Pakistan in the future.
While commenting on the regional situation, he emphasized that peace in Afghanistan is crucial for Africa, particularly South Africa due to the illegal flow of drugs and humans trafficking which has a tremendous impact on its society.
While thanking Ambassador Madikiza for his visit to the ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, BOG ISSI, stated that outreach to Africa is one of the top priorities of the Institute as both Pakistan and Africa enjoy a deep historical bond. Now with the Pakistan’s Engage Africa Policy, Pakistan hopes to take the relationship to the next level.
