On 23 March 2026, South Africa and Nicaragua marked a significant milestone in their diplomatic relations with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations at the level of Senior Officials.
The ceremony, held in the Harare Room at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in Pretoria, represents a decisive step toward structured and sustained engagement between the two nations.
A Formal Framework for Engagement
The MoU was signed by Ambassador Danilo Chang Cash on behalf of the Government of Nicaragua and Ambassador Maud Dlomo, Deputy Director-General for Americas and Europe, representing the South African Government. The agreement establishes a formal framework for regular political consultations, enabling both countries to systematically review bilateral relations and exchange perspectives on regional and global developments.
Supporting Ambassador Dlomo were key officials from DIRCO’s Latin America directorate, including Director Mr Bingo Thamaga, Deputy Director Ms Desiree Moodley, and Assistant Director Mr Hector Mphohoni. Their presence underscored the institutional commitment behind this diplomatic initiative.
Strengthening South–South Cooperation
At its core, the MoU is designed to deepen South–South cooperation by fostering closer ties between Africa and Latin America. Through regular consultations, South Africa and Nicaragua aim to enhance mutual understanding, identify areas of collaboration, and align positions on international issues of shared concern.
Importantly, the agreement signals both countries’ intention to move beyond ad hoc engagement toward a more predictable and structured partnership. This includes the anticipated convening of the inaugural session of Political Consultations—an event that will mark the operationalisation of this new bilateral mechanism.
From Commitment to Achievement
The signing of the MoU follows sustained diplomatic engagement between the two countries. One of the key outcomes of Deputy Minister Alvin Botes’ earlier meeting with Nicaragua’s Co-Minister was the prioritisation of finalising this agreement. Since then, both sides have worked collaboratively to refine and conclude the document.
The successful signing today reflects not only diplomatic goodwill but also a shared commitment to advancing bilateral relations. As the first structured mechanism of its kind between South Africa and Nicaragua, the MoU lays a strong foundation for future cooperation.
Looking Ahead
With this agreement in place, South Africa and Nicaragua are poised to elevate their partnership to new heights. Regular political consultations will provide a platform for continuous dialogue, ensuring that both nations remain aligned in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities on the global stage.
