VOA —
After making a working visit to North Sumatra, President Jokowi immediately departed for Africa. He said he would immediately visit four countries at once, namely Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa. The trip was his first visit to Africa since taking office as President.
“This is my first visit as President to the African region. Indonesia and Africa have a long historical relationship, because Indonesia was the initiator and host of the Asian-African Conference in 1955,” Jokowi said as quoted in a statement, Sunday (20/8).
Furthermore, Jokowi said that during his visit this time he would bring the “Bandung Spirit” because at the Asian-African Conference Indonesia played an important role in giving birth to the non-aligned movement. In addition, it is hoped that his visit this time will be able to strengthen Indonesia’s solidarity and cooperation with the global south countries.
During his visit to Africa this time he will bring the “Bandung Spirit” to strengthen solidarity and enhance cooperative relations with the global south countries. (Photo: Courtesy/Presidential Secretariat Bureau)
“Kenya and Tanzania opened their Embassies in Jakarta last year. This is the commitment of the two countries to continue to strengthen cooperation with Indonesia. and Mozambique is the first African country where Indonesia has a Prefencial Trade Agreement,” he said.
Meanwhile, during a visit to South Africa, Jokowi will attend the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Summit.
“For South Africa, Indonesia was invited to the BRICS Summit and of course on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit various bilateral meetings will be held with other heads of state,” he said.
Jokowi and a limited delegation are scheduled to return to Indonesia on August 25.
President Jokowi is also scheduled to attend the BRICS Summit in South Africa amid rumors that Indonesia wants to join the BRICS. (Photo: Courtesy/Presidential Secretariat Bureau)
Join the BRICS?
Rizky Ramadhan, an observer for international relations from Padjadjaran University, said that he had heard rumors that Indonesia wanted to join the BRICS for a long time. According to him, this visit will be able to obtain certainty regarding this matter. If they do join, added Rizky, it can provide distinct benefits for Indonesia.
“When I started to enter BRICS, I thought this was quite interesting, but it also required strong consideration. There is a desire to join BRICS, the partners have slightly different characteristics, although that does not dampen our enthusiasm to join, it will be very strategic,” said Rizky.
“Especially if you look at it in the context of Indonesia for 2045, or for Indonesia moving forward, because I see new players emerging as new international entities that have the potential to become major players that can control the global economy. I think that is the basis for Indonesia to join, “he added.
In addition, Rizky believes that Indonesia’s joining the BRICS will enable the government to reduce dependence on the dominance of the US dollar in global trade.
“Especially when we talk about the issue of creating a new currency to balance with the US dollar, yes I can say maybe perhaps this is an Indonesian step that if that happens, we will not be swayed or enter into uncertainty when we still rely only on the US dollar. So we have joined the new economic power,” he said.
Furthermore, Rizky saw that Indonesia should not have to bring the “Spirit of Bandung” to Jokowi’s visit this time. According to him, with the strong relations and cooperation between Indonesia and Africa that he saw getting stronger since the 2000s, Indonesia should have thought of other structures and enthusiasm to further strengthen the relationship between the two.
“In my opinion, Indonesia should try a new platform or jargon, don’t (bring) solidarity in Asia-Africa relations. Indonesia must be able to construct a new solidarity. because I see that if we continue to rely on the Bandung Spirit, I’m afraid it will become something that has been around for a long time,” he concluded. (gi/ah)