Guyana opens High Commission in South Africa

Feb 04, 2014 News

– First full diplomatic presence since 1991
Guyana has opened a High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa. It is the first time the country has full diplomatic mission on the African continent since the closure of the diplomatic office in Zambia in August 1991.
The Pretoria High Commission is currently headed by Ambassador Barbara Haley, the Assistant High Commissioner, until President Donald Ramotar appoints a High Commissioner.
Explaining the move, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn-Rodrigues Birkett said that Africa is the fastest growing continent and South Africa has the largest economy on the continent. She said Guyana can benefit from South Africa’s expertise in various sectors, including mining.
“The opening of this mission is a symbol of Guyana’s commitment to furthering our relations and developing our relations with the government and people of South Africa, but also with the wider African continent,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
“Our mission will cover a wide range of political, cultural, commercial and trade issues, but would also look at Consular matters regarding Guyanese living in South Africa,” she noted.
The Minister noted that the South African government is actively pursuing policies in sectors that are of interest to Guyana, such as mining.
She said that Brazil, as a member of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) alliance, further cements its important role in the international community and thus a worthy ally for Guyana.
As of last December, South Africa has the second highest number of diplomatic missions outside of Washington, D.C., with resident representation from 316 countries, including 131 embassies. As such, the Minister said that Guyana’s presence in Pretoria could help to build relations with other countries present there.
Guyana becomes the fourth country of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to establish a diplomatic mission in South Africa. The others are Suriname, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
Meanwhile, Guyana has also approved the appointment of new Honorary Consuls in Palestine, Winnipeg (Canada), San Felipe (Venezuela), Mumbai (India), Turkey, and California, USA. The government is awaiting approval from Bahamas for the replacement of the Honorary Consul there.
In addition, Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Barbados, Michael Brotherson, has been accredited to St Marten.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said that Brotherson’s appointment in Barbados has led to a reduction of complaints from Guyana travelling to and residing in Barbados. She said a reduction in such complaints also has to do with the fact that Bridgetown has established communication with the Guyana’s Honorary Consul and various authorities in that country.

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