Maldives to open embassy in South Africa

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced plans to open a High Commission in South Africa.

He made the announcement in a meeting with the new Non-Resident High Commissioner of South Africa to Maldives, Sandile Edwin Schalk, who presented his credentials to the President on Tuesday.

At the meeting, President Solih welcomed the High Commissioner to Maldives and congratulated him on his new appointment.

He said that Maldives was looking forward to establishing a High Commission in Pretoria - one of South Africa’s three capital cities. Pretoria serves as the seat of the executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to South Africa.

President Solih noted that it would be the first Maldivian High Commission established on the continent of Africa, and would help demonstrate the closeness between the two countries.

He also expressed hope that the opening of the office would extend the outreach of Maldives.

President Solih said that Maldives was committed to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries.

High Commissioner Schalk echoed President Solih’s sentiments, and expressed his readiness to collaborate with Maldives on international fronts.

President Solih and High Commissioner Schalk spoke further on improving tourism, infrastructure development, and enhancing collaboration in the international fora.

Maldives established diplomatic relations with South Africa on July 27, 1994.