1. At the invitation of His Excellency, Mr Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, Her Excellency, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, paid a State Visit from 15 to 16 March 2023 to Pretoria, the Republic of South Africa.

2. The State Visit was held together with the Second Session of the Bi-National Commission which was Co-chaired by His Excellency, President Cryil Matamela Ramaphosa and Her Excellency, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan.

3. His Excellency President Ramaphosa was accompanied by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation; Trade, Industry and Competition; Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; Higher Education, Science, and Innovation; Minister in the Presidency; Health; and Defence and Military Veterans.

4. Her Excellency Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan was accompanied by Ministers of Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation, Defence and National Service; Trade Industry and Investment; Home Affairs; Culture, Arts and Sports; and Information, Communication, and ICT.

5. The two Heads of State welcomed reports from the Sectoral Committees of the BNC presented by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania.

6. During the official talks, both Heads of State expressed satisfaction at the strong bilateral relations existing between the two countries, hinging upon the long standing historical, political, economic, and cultural ties. In this regard, the two Leaders asserted to enhance the bonds of friendship and solidarity that exist between the two countries and committed to continue building these relations for the mutual benefit of the people of both countries.

7. The Heads of States further exchanged views on a wide range of regional, continental, and international issues of mutual interest and concern.

8. The two leaders noted with appreciation the broad nature of the bilateral cooperation which includes amongst others, Defence and Security, Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Environment, Home Affairs, Science and Technology and Transport, Health, Education, Agro processing, Energy, Mining, Infrastructure Development, Culture, Arts and Sports. In this regard, the two Leaders expressed the shared commitment to boost and broaden cooperation and collaboration in various sectors.

9. The two Heads of State further noted that to date fifteen (15) sectoral Agreements /MOUs have been signed between the two countries.

10. The two Leaders witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Political and Diplomatic Consultations, and Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Diplomatic Academies of the two countries. In this regard, they underscored that pending MOUs should be finalised and signed by December 2023.

11. The two leaders commended the excellent cooperation between the defence forces and in this regard lauded the training opportunities that have benefitted both countries.

12. The Presidents also exchanged views on the Agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) and the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) between the South African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC) and how these instruments when ratified could bring economic benefits.

13. The two Heads of State participated in a Business Forum held under the theme Forging a New Deal between South Africa and Tanzania Towards High Levels of Trade and Investments”. The Forum brought together Businesspersons and representatives from the Private Sector to discuss trade and investment opportunities in the two countries. The two sides, inter alia, emphasised the importance of expanding trade and investment activities in order to drive bilateral strategic engagement forward and the need to address any barriers to trade.

14. The two Heads of State exchanged views on various regional, continental, and international issues of mutual interest and concern. In this regard, they reiterated the commitment of their Governments to continue collaborating at regional, continental, and international level within the context of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU) and the United Nations.

15. The two Heads of State also exchanged views on political and security developments in the region and underscored the importance of peace and security to overall regional development and integration agenda.

16. On Mozambique they commended the progress made by the SAMIM in combatting terrorism and acts of violent extremism in the Northern parts of Cabo Delgado Province.

17. On the situation in the DRC, the Heads of State commended the efforts deployed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC). They further welcomed the outcome of the meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) held on 17 February 2023 and called for harmonisation and coordination of all efforts aimed at stabilising the DRC.

18. The Heads of State reiterated the importance of the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to embrace the SADC sponsored Framework for Inclusive National Dialogue.

19. The Heads of State reiterated their support for the quest for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, and the holding of a referendum in accordance with the African Union Decisions and United Nations Resolutions.

20. The two Presidents exchanged views on the security situation in the Sahel Region and noted with concern, the unconstitutional changes of governments, within the African Continent. In this regard, the Commission agreed on the need by AU Member States, to abide by the AU Constitutive Act and the Lomé Declaration of July 2000.

21. The Heads of State reaffirmed the parties’ solidarity with the people of Palestine and reiterated their long-standing unequivocal call for the inalienable right of the State of Palestine to independently co-exist with the State of Israel in line with the relevant United Nations Resolutions.

22. The Heads of State underscored the importance of the spirit of non-alignment and speaking with one voice on issues of international of issues of common interest and concern.

23. The Heads of State noted with concern the devastating effect of the Russia - Ukraine war, particularly in developing countries. They noted that the interruption of the supply of agriculture related products such as fertilisers will exacerbate the dire food security situation in the Continent and other developing countries and encourage peace means to resolve the conflict.

24. Her Excellency, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her gratitude His Excellency President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to her and delegation since their arrival in Pretoria.

25. Her Excellency, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan extended an invitation to His Excellency President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, to the 3rd Session of the South Africa – Tanzania Bi-National Commission which will be convened in 2025 in Tanzania, at a date to be mutually agreed upon.

Source: Government of South Africa