Saudi Minister of State for African Affairs Ahmed al-Kattan will kick off on Monday a tour of several African countries aimed at tackling means of bolstering bilateral cooperation with Riyadh.
He will begin his tour in Central Africa, before departing to Congo and then Angola. He will end his tour with a visit to Zambia. He is expected to ink several general agreements with these countries, as well as carry out political talks with the aim of improving bilateral relations.
Kattan had previously visited Chad, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Madagascar.
Saudi Arabia places great importance on relations with African countries and peoples. Ties date back to the reign of the founder, King Abdulaziz. Throughout 90 years, African countries have set up diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia.
These relations were deepened further during the reign of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, so much so that he ordered that Saudi Arabia appoint a minister for African affairs with the aim of further strengthening these ties.
Relations are not limited to politics, but they cover the economic, financial, scientific, education, cultural, media and social fields. Saudi Arabia has also been there to provide African countries with relief and humanitarian aid in times of conflict and natural disasters.
