- International AffairsMB News
- March 1, 2012
- 3 minutes read
Dr. Badie Receives South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister
Dr. Mohamed Badie, Muslim Brotherhood (MB) Chairman, received on Wednesday afternoon Mr. Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Ms. N. Myende-Sibiya, South Africa’s Ambassador in Cairo.
At the Beginning of the meeting, Dr. Badie stated that following the revolution, Egypt has restored its regional and international status; adding that the peoples are now the legitimate source of power, the decision makers, and that international relations must be established on reciprocated and mutual respect.
Further, Dr. Badie pointed out that Africa is endowed with special blessings, its peoples being its real wealth, and that they taught important exemplary lessons to the whole world, citing Nelson Mandela’s experience and the sacrifices he made in order to achieve his country’s independence.
He called on the regional institutes, such as the Arab League and the African League of Nations, to do their part and support the will of the peoples, rather than governments.
On his part, Ebrahim asserted that the South African people closely followed the news of the Arab Spring, in particular Egypt’s revolution, since it was an important central country in the region.
The MB Chairman emphasized the need to bolster bilateral and multilateral African relations, adding that Africa should be autonomous in its own decision and self-determination. He also stressed that his country fully and constantly supports the Palestinian people’s rights, and that he personally, in fact, traveled to Gaza two years ago to show SA’s support for the Palestinian cause.
In conclusion, Badie underscored the importance of improving economic relations between SA and Egypt through trade, investment and tourism; adding that it would be mutually beneficial for both countries.
Dr. Essam Al-Haddad, Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) Foreign Relations Committee Officer, also attended the meeting.
