South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday held a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, the South African Presidency said.

The two discussed "several international matters of mutual concern."

Ramaphosa used the opportunity to congratulate the French leader for his re-election in the second round of the French Presidential elections held on April 24.

The South African President also welcomed the offer of material support from President Macron following last month's tragic floods that killed more than 400 people.

On his part, President Macron agreed to support the call for international vaccine buyers like COVAX and Gavi to procure COVID-19 vaccines for African countries from manufacturers on the continent.

This comes following a pledge by President Ramaphosa to rally world leaders to facilitate purchases from the South African vaccine-manufacturing plant, which risks shutting down after failing to secure buyers.

President Ramaphosa and his French counterpart also discussed ways of further strengthening relations between the European Union and the African Union.