Johannesburg - In what can be described as a miracle comeback, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has made through a testing political turbulence to make his way back as president of the Republic of Brazil.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Da Silva who served as that country’s president from 2003 to 2010.
Da Silva was investigated in 2016 for his alleged involvement in two cases in “Operation Car Wash” (Operacão Lava Jato), an extensive criminal investigation in Brazil which uncovered corruption between the state-owned oil and petrol company, Petrobrás, several construction companies, and various Brazilian politicians to obtain secret campaign funds
Da Silva was sentenced to nine-year imprisonment in July, 2017. In January of the next year, Lula’s sentence was increased to 12 years by the Federal Regional Court. In April, 2018 he began serving his sentence while his appeals were pending.
Ramaphosa said in a statement that he was looking forward to working with the government of Brazil under the leadership of Da Silva, adding that the two developing countries share a number of common challenges and aspirations at the socio-economic level.
Ramaphosa added that South Africa and Brazil co-operate at various levels, including through BRICS and numerous country-to-country, inter-regional and global mechanisms.
Various world leaders took to social media to congratulate President-elect Da Silva such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said the people of Brazil have spoken.
“I’m looking forward to working with @LulaOficial to strengthen the partnership between our countries to deliver results for Canadians and Brazilians, and advance shared priorities – like protecting the environment. Congratulations, Lula!,” said a tweet from Trudeau.
While American head of State Joe Biden also sent his congratulations via a White House statement and called the elections free, fair, and credible.
“I look forward to working together to continue the co-operation between our two countries in the months and years ahead,” said US President Joe Biden.
While newly minted British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also took his congratulations to Twitter where he said he looked forward to working with Brazil from growing the global economy to protecting the planet’s natural resources and promoting democratic values.
President of Ireland Michael Higgins in a statement congratulated Da Silva, and said he was certain that under his leadership the challenges facing him will be addressed with great wisdom and commitment.
“I look forward very much to continuing our excellent co-operation once you take office and building on our warm and vibrant relations.
“The links that have developed in recent years between our countries have been characterised by energy and creativity and by those who have made their homes in Ireland, while we in turn take pride in the Irish contribution to Brazil, mindful of the historic links rooted in our history as well as in our educational and cultural lives,” said Higgins.
The Star