The first deputy secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC) and convenor of its National Executive Committee (NEC) international relations subcommittee Nomvula Mokonyane is leading a delegation in the United Kingdom and Ireland to deepen diplomatic ties. 

The delegation arrived in Liverpool on Sunday to attend the Labour Party’s Annual Conference, convened under the theme “Let’s Get Britain’s Future Back” from 9 to 11 October.

The ANC delegation is scheduled to conclude its trip on October 14.

The Labour Party conference will foster discussions on geopolitics, the global balance of forces, the just energy transition, the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine, as well as consider the recent developments in the Middle East.

“From the 11th to the 14th of October 2023 the delegation will hold a bilateral engagement with Sinn Fein, the Irish republican and democratic socialist party that is a longstanding ally and friend of the ANC. The purpose of this engagement is to deepen historical ties of friendship and solidarity between the two national liberation movements forged over more than four decades, and within the context of 30 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and South Africa,” the party said.

Both parties will engage in issues of mutual interest, including the socio-political developments in their respective countries.

The ANC and Sinn Fein will also reflect on political, constitutional reform and global governance matters.

Mokonyane is accompanied by fellow ANC members Mavuso Msimang, Alvin Botes, Khusela Diko, and Zuko Godlimpi.

“The 10th of April 2023 marked 25 years of the historic Good Friday agreement that brought to an end decades of conflict in Northern Ireland, and the ANC and Sinn Fein will reflect on their political experiences,” the party said.