Pretoria - South Africa remains determined to work with the international community, especially in Africa, to create a more peaceful, democratic and politically stable continent.
Speaking to the media in Pretoria on Tuesday, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said South Africa remained rooted in its commitment to a peaceful world because this was the bedrock of economic growth.
“A key component of South Africa’s foreign policy for Africa is support for the establishment of peace and political stability in order to create the foundations for democracy as a necessary prerequisite for sustainable social and economic development.”
The minister was reacting to the political situations in both Kenya and Somalia.
She said the recent attacks in Kenya were “diametrically opposing the vision and efforts for peace and political stability in East Africa and the wider African community”.
“The South African government will continue to express its strong condemnation of all forms and manner of terrorism,” the minister said.
Kenya has not enjoyed peace for the last two years since it took its troops to Somalia to pursue Al-Shabaab militias, who carried out attacks and kidnappings on Kenyan soil.
The country has several times witnessed hit-and-run grenade attacks in recent months in the capital Nairobi and in the northern part of the country.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said Pretoria will continue to support the efforts of the Kenyan government in promoting national harmony and national reconciliation, as South Africa sees political stability, reconciliation, democracy, nation-building, good governance and socio-economic development as crucial to lasting peace.
“The Kenyan government has shown renewed determination not to let terrorism deter them from having peace in their country, or from supporting democracy, development, peace and security for their neighbourhood.”
Regarding Somalia, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said South Africa will continue to support all efforts that enable the country to find lasting solutions to its many challenges through the provision of capacity and institution building, socio-economic support, and specified training in key government sectors.
The minister said over the last years, South Africa has invested in efforts to support democracy and peace initiatives, as well as post-conflict reconstruction and development in Somalia.
According to the UN, poor rains, high food prices and ongoing conflict have intersected to push Somalia once gain to the brink of crisis, warning that without immediate action, the fragile food security situation could worsen in the coming months, especially if funding shortages force essential projects to shut down. - SAnews.gov.za
