United States government yesterday debunked the reports that president Donald Trump would speak with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Earlier, President Buhari’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Ahmad Bashir had twitted on his account that his boss had scheduled to speak with Trump at 3:45p.m from London residence on Monday.
“President Buhari will speak to DonaldTrump today at 3:45 pm (Nigerian Time) from his London residence,” Bashir had twitted.
Debunking the reports, Chief White House strategist, Stephen K. Bannon told news men in a brief telephone interview in Washington, DC that there was no plan for such.
“I don’t know…I don’t know. President Trump has not told me, thank you, said Bannon”.
Bannon added that President Trump had only scheduled to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a roundtable discussion about women in the workforce today, promising to get back after the meeting.
Meanwhile, a statement released to journalists by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina says Buhari had spoken with Trump.
“The conversation was cordial and President Buhari congratulated Trump on his election as President of the United States, and on his cabinet. The two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment.
“President Trump encouraged President Buhari to keep up the good work he is doing, and also commended him for the efforts made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military,” the statement stated.
Meanwhile, South African President Jacob Zuma spoke to Donald Trump in a teleconference on Monday afternoon, CNN reports.
It is however the first conversation between the two leaders since Trump’s inauguration last month, and Zuma congratulated Trump on his election.
The SA Presidency confirmed that the call was requested by the White House.
The teleconference comes amid strained US relations with several developing countries, but Zuma and his American counterpart have committed to strengthening the already strong relations between the two countries.
The leaders also discussed the need to work together on global issues, especially in the quest for peace and stability in Africa.
Trump had previously described South Africa as a crime-ridden mess that’s just waiting to explode.
Post a Comment