Ramaphosa sends condolences following passing of Nigerian former president Buhari
Buhari died on Sunday in London after a prolonged illness.
FILE: Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari attends the second day of the COP26 UN Climate Summit in Glasgow on 2 November 2021.
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to Nigeria following the passing of the country's former president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari died on Sunday in London after a prolonged illness. He was 82 years old.
Ramaphosa worked closely with Buhari during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the engagements helped intensify cooperation between the two countries.
A former military general, Buhari was elected president of Nigeria in 2015 after three failed attempts at electioneering.
He campaigned on rooting out corruption and defeating the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said South Africa stands with Nigeria during this period of mourning.
“President Buhari’s leadership brought our two nations closer together and as we did so, this partnership contributed to Africa’s collective growth and development. A former military general who campaigned on rooting out government corruption.”