Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said South Africa was committed to the African agenda despite nations continuing to seek war and not peace.
Lamola, speaking at the at the inaugural Africa Peace and Security Dialogue hosted by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation on Saturday, said evidence suggested that there are more than 120 conflicts playing out in the world.
“Sixty percent of the United Nations Security Council peacekeeping budget and focus is on African conflicts and peacekeeping.
“Currently, the two most worrying conflicts which have led to devastating humanitarian crises are in the eastern DRC and Sudan.”
Lamola said South Africa, as the Government of National Unity, is committed to find an end to these wars with our Deputy (Paul Mashatile) being the envoy for South Sudan and the President (Cyril Ramaphosa) has a focus 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,” Lamola said.
He pointed out that In the past few years, the continent has also experienced a resurgence of coups.
“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 in relations to colonial vintage still haunting most parts of the continent.
“South Africa will continue to work in harmony with, and revive the AU and regional economic communities, the building blocs of African integration.”
Lamola said the resurgence of violence in the Sahel region is a great concern.
“Let us all lend a helping hand to the peoples’ of that region to find lasting solutions to their conflicts.
“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, including Southern Africa.”
He said the terrorism and violent extremist acts in Cabo Delgado are not only a security threat for Mozambique, but for the wider Southern African region.
“It is in recognition of this that South Africa contributed troops towards the SADC Mission in Mozambique, otherwise known as SAMIM.”
The Mercury