Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Deputy Director-General for Global Governance and Continental Agenda at South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), concluded a productive visit to the United Kingdom, advancing bilateral relations and multilateral priorities.

The engagements, held on the margins of the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Ministerial Retreat, underscored South Africa’s commitment to collaborative solutions on pressing global issues.

Series of High-Level Meetings with UK Counterparts

Ambassador Mabhongo held discussions with officials from the UK Cabinet Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). A key bilateral focused on peace, security, and humanitarian challenges in African conflict hotspots. Meeting with Ms Rionna Nicolls, Head of the Sahel, Sudan and South Sudan Department at the FCDO, the delegation exchanged views on supporting stability across the continent. The talks reinforced #SAUKRelations and shared commitments to multilateralism amid evolving global dynamics.

Bilateral Dialogue on Geopolitics and Non-Proliferation

Ambassador Mabhongo engaged Mr Ben Fender, Head of the Defence and International Security Department at the FCDO. The two sides deliberated on geopolitical developments, including the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, and aligned expectations ahead of the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), scheduled for 27 April to 22 May 2026 at UN Headquarters in New York.

Ambassador Mabhongo also paid a courtesy call on South Africa’s High Commissioner to the UK, Kingsley Mamabolo, further strengthening diplomatic coordination.

These engagements highlight South Africa’s proactive role in global governance, positioning the country as a constructive partner in addressing continental and international challenges. DIRCO officials described the visit as a significant step in deepening strategic ties with the UK.

Images: DIRCO