International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has assured South Africans that the current administration will not stray from the African Agenda and will continue to push for peace and security on the continent.
Delivering his remarks at the Africa Peace and Security Dialogue hosted by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation on Saturday in Magaliesburg, the Minister said: “I am here to say that the seventh administration remains committed to the African Agenda. We are not deviating from it, we pursue our agenda in the spirit of genuine partnership, not hegemony as some would claim.”
The annual dialogue is dedicated to finding practical solutions to the peace and security challenges facing the continent.
“Evidence suggests that when all variations are put, it is said that more than 120 conflicts are playing themselves out on the world, while 60% of the United Nations Security Council peacekeeping budget focuses on African conflicts and peacekeeping.”
According to the Minister, the two most worrying conflicts which have led to devastating humanitarian crises are in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan.
Lamola stressed that the Government of National Unity (GNU) was working around the clock to end these wars with the Deputy President Paul Mashatile being the envoy for South Sudan and President Cyril Ramaphosa focusing on Sudan.
“Unfortunately, both have not received adequate attention from the international community compared to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the devastating war in Gaza and recent tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbours.”
He raised his concern that Africa has experienced a resurgence of coups in the past few years, while six member states remain suspended from the African Union (AU) because of unconstitutional government changes.
“I hope this conference will help us find a solution to legitimate concerns of West Africa about colonial vintage still haunting most parts of the continent.”
However, he said the Global South would continue to work in harmony and revive the AU and regional economic communities, the building blocks of African integration.
He said the resurgence of violence in the Sahel region “should concern us all” and the terrorism and violent extremist acts in Cabo Delgado were a security threat for Mozambique and the wider Southern African region.
“The threat of terrorism and violent extremism is one of the most pressing peace and security challenges that the continent is dealing with as it has spread to more regions of the continent, including Southern Africa.”
In addition, he stressed that South Africa would continue to support the leaders and people of South Sudan in their transition process towards a stable democracy.
South Africa has placed the issue of financing peace operations on the continent through the UN’s assessed contributions on the Security Council agenda.
He told the guests that South Africa will use its Chairpersonship of the G20 to action the pact of the future as adopted by the UN General Assembly, reform the global financial architecture, inclusive governance and refocus on the implementation of the sustainable goals to put forward Agenda 2063 on the global pedestal. – SAnews.gov.za
