Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday took to the podium at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, in Pretoria, to address South Africa’s standing point on a wide range of foreign issues.
Before an audience of media, over 80 diplomats, ambassadors and high commissioners based in South Africa, President Zuma first reaffirmed that South Africa’s foreign police is premised on the directive in the Freedom Charter, which stipulates that "There Shall be Peace and Friendship”.
Informed by this principle, and the vision of building a better Africa and a better world, he said it is for this reason that South Africa’s diplomatic relations is committed to the promotion of human rights and democracy, justice and international law in the conduct of relations between nations, the promotion of the African Agenda in world affairs and economic development through regional and international co-operation in an interdependent world.
70th session of United Nations
He then went on to reiterate that South Africa will use it participation at the upcoming 70th session of the United Nations to advocate for the reform of organisation in order to be more inclusive, democratic and representative, especially the UN Security Council.
“Developing countries will also advocate for the reform of the United Nations System, to make it more responsive to the interests and needs of the majority of its members, the developing countries. This is more so for Africa, a continent with more than one billion people, which is not represented in the UN Security Council as permanent members,” he told the special briefing.
Palestine
On the issue of Palestine, President Zuma reiterated that South Africa supports the international efforts aimed at the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, existing side by side and in peace with Israel within internationally recognised borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
"We believe that there can be no lasting peace in the Middle East for as long as Palestinians are denied their inalienable right to a state of their own,” he said, before urging parties to return to the negotiating table without any pre-conditions and engage in genuine dialogue.
Cuba
Turning to Cuba, he welcomed the positive developments such as the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States after more than 50 years of tension.
However, he reiterated Pretoria’s call for the immediate repeal of all legislation that maintains the embargo against Cuba.
Syria
President Zuma detailed South Africa’s standing point regarding the ongoing crisis in Syria, the refugee crisis.
He said it took the painful drowning of a Syrian child to shake the world into action.
President Zuma also said forced regime change in Syria would not bring a lasting peace in the country.
"Attempts to shut the borders by some EU countries will not assist the situation. To achieve lasting peace in Syria, the international community must reject all calls for regime change in the country.
“The international community must not support external military interference or any action in Syria that is not in line with the charter of the United Nations. Support for non-state actors and terrorist organisations that seek to effect a regime change in Syria is unacceptable,” the President said.
Since 2011, the conflict in Syria has displaced millions of people into refugee camps in surrounding countries, with many others going to Europe.
The President said that the crisis has led to deadly journeys by Syrian refugees to seek asylum in other countries.
"The impact of wars and poverty in the world is manifested through the expanding refugee crisis. The world has witnessed the horrific and deadly journeys by Africans and Middle Eastern immigrants across the Mediterranean in search of a better life in Europe.”
He was of the view that countries that destabilised parts of Africa are now refusing to accept those fleeing conflict and persecution.
Libya, Gadhafi
The flood of African migrants into Europe was triggered by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) forces, bombarding Libya after the Arab Spring, leading to the killing of Muammar Gadhafi.
He has berated Nato for undermining security in the region, leading to the current crisis sweeping Europe.
The bombarding of Libya and the killing of its leader opened the floodgates for serious tensions and conflict.
"I'm sure it will be appropriate our excellencies to underline this point because you all recall that before the Arab Spring and before the killing of Gaddafi, there were no refugees flying or flocking to the European countries.”
He told the briefing that the situation in Libya continues to be of serious concern.
“As such, we fully support the UN-led political dialogue. We also commend Libya's neighbouring countries for their role in the search for a solution in that country.”
South Africa, he reaffirmed, stands ready to assist Libya in post-conflict reconstruction and development and to share experiences in reconciliation and constitution making processes.
Terrorist acts
Turning to the security issues in the continent, President Zuma used the opportunity to “condemn in the strongest terms” the various terrorist acts committed on the continent by terrorist groups in Somalia, Kenya, north eastern Nigeria, Mali, the larger Sahel, as well as in North Africa.
South Africa, he said, will play its role through the AU Peace and Security Council to assist the affected regions.
South Sudan
Regarding the situation in Sudan, he said, South Africa was "extremely concerned" about the conflict in South Sudan.
He commended all parties to the conflict for signing "the compromise agreement" which laid the basis for a transitional authority.
Turning to the International Criminal Court's request for submissions regarding Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visit to South Africa, President Zuma said they are currently studying the order.
“We will then make a determination as to the next course of action, if any. Our own courts are also still considering the matter of President Bashir's last visit to South Africa in June, therefore, this matter is sub judice."
Economic growth
Beyond security issues, the matters of sustainable economic growth in the continent and the world is on South Africa’s agenda given the economic crisis, President Zuma said.
“We will participate in the G20 forum in Turkey in November, which drives a collective response to the global financial and economic crisis and recovery,” he said, adding that Pretoria will continue to advocate for the reform of international financial institutions at this forum.
Ongoing priorities for South Africa include the promotion of employment, improving investment in infrastructure and international coordination on tax matters.
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
South Africa will also host the Second Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Johannesburg, in December.
“During our tenure as co-chair of FOCAC, South Africa will continue to ensure that the principles of South-South cooperation are realised and that special attention is given to assist in the implementation of the African Union's Agenda 2063,” President Zuma added. - SAnews.gov.za
