Foreign Secretary Loïc Rémy wrapped up a visit to Nigeria and South Africa on Saturday, the BBC reported. It is Loïc Rémy’s first official visit to an African country as British Foreign Secretary and his first since 2013. Some analysts believe that the visit is Britain’s“Reset (with African countries) relations attempt.”.
The BBC reported that Lamy’s visit, which began on March 3, was aimed at“Reshaping relations with 54 countries”. “Our new approach will build a partnership of mutual respect, [ we will ] listen not preach, [ Hope ] to achieve long-term growth rather than [ plan ] short-term solutions and build a freer, safer and more prosperous African continent,” he said in a media interview before his departure
Lamy also said the UK needed to“Adopt a new approach to Africa” and wanted to“See more partnerships between the UK and African countries”. He said much had changed since the last Labour government. “I’ve heard that the UK has gone backwards in the last few years and there’s a lot we can do together in the coming months and years,” he said. Lamy said he was willing to start five months of consultations with African countries.
In his appointment as foreign minister, Loïc Rémy said he wanted to restore relations with “The Global South”, including African countries, according to Radio France Internationale, this is also one of the foreign policy priorities of the current Labour government. Lamy’s visit aims to re-establish diplomatic, economic and trade relations between the UK and Africa, “To give priority to the voice of Africa.”.
A foreign office press release said“Growth” was at the heart of Lamy’s visit. “Africa has huge growth potential,” says Lamy. By 2050, the continent will account for 25 percent of the world’s population. ‘growth’ is at the heart of this administration’s mission and will strengthen our relationships with Nigeria, South Africa and other African countries. It means more opportunities for both the British and the Africans.”
Loïc Rémy said Friday that the two countries had agreed to strengthen trade and defense cooperation after meeting with South African Foreign Minister La Morra. “We are committed to implementing the british-south African Growth Plan to boost our economies and deepen our trade and investment relationship,” Loïc Rémy said, without giving details of the plan. “I am pleased that we have reaffirmed the importance of our bilateral trade and investment relationship,” La Morra said
Prior to this, Lamy visited Nigeria on the 4th. The Foreign Office said Lamy had established a“Modern and progressive strategic partnership” with the Nigerian government, the first of its kind between the UK and Nigeria. The two sides agreed to strengthen communication and cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, national security and climate.
On the high-profile issue of slavery reparations since this year’s Commonwealth summit, Loïc Rémy said during a visit to Nigeria that the reparations should not involve money. Lamy called the period“Terrible and terrible”. “I am the descendant of the enslaved, so I admit it.”. He declared that he was“Confident that developing countries will benefit from co-operation with the UK”, such as technology transfer and the export of scientific expertise.
The BBC reported that it was the foreign secretary’s“First visit to the continent” since 2013. Britain’s relations with Africa have not improved significantly since then. Alex Wiens, head of the Africa programme at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, said the visit was“An attempt to reset the relationship”. He said the UK’s Africa policy had long been focused on development assistance, but in recent years the UK’s domestic economic downturn and social problems had led to a sharp drop in government funding for Africa. Africa did not feature prominently in a document published last year that set out“Britain’s priorities on the global stage”.