Strengthening relations between La Réunion and South Africa

On Monday 19th December, the Department of Reunion Island in collaboration with the Musée de Villèle signed a MoU with the Slave Lodge, which shares a common history, that of slavery. This new partnership involves a cooperation programme to promote the cultural and historical heritage of the two entities in the Indian Ocean region.

Cyrille Melchior, President of the Department, Jean-Marc Ayrault, President of the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery, and the South African delegation from the Slave Lodge were present. The President of the Department of Reunion Island express his wish to enlighten the importance of the duty to remember the abolition of slavery. He said that “the suffering that this period of slavery caused our ancestors, today pushes us to a desire to build a society at peace with its past, a society that is turned towards and open to the world, but also open to our brothers on the African and Asian continents”.

The city diplomacy is a pillar of France’s diplomatic and cooperation policy with South Africa. Cooperation between local public entities from France and South Africa is an increasingly important instrument for the cooperation between our two countries. It includes all cooperation relations aimed at increasing the attractiveness of cities, regions, and provinces, and at encouraging more solidarity between both countries.

South African and French cities and provinces share similar challenges (sustainable urban transformation, digital, education), for which exchanges of good practices are much needed and appreciated.