Question 4
Mr M S Booi (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
How does our peacekeeping operation through the South African National Defence Force on the African continent strengthen our relationship with these countries and the world?
Reply:
Honourable Speaker, as is commonly known, both the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU) respectively enjoin the international community and Africa to "unite our strength to maintain international peace and security" and to "promote peace, security, and stability on the continent". The commitment to realise these objectives galvanised the AU and its Peace and Security Council as well as regional organisations to find durable solutions to the countries affected by conflict.
The promotion of peace and security is one of South Africa's most important objectives. This includes the strengthening of conflict-prevention and resolution capabilities of the region and rendering assistance in monitoring and addressing domestic issues that affect stability.
The South African National Defence Force has formed part of and participated in various peace missions on the Continent since 1994.
These include:
* capacity building of the Central African Republic Defence Force
* the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
* the Integration and Training Assistance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
* the African Union Special Task Force in Burundi
* the United Nations Mission and AU Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
* the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur
* the Security Sector Reform in the DRC
* the deployment of military observers to the AU Mission in Northern Uganda/Southern Sudan and
* the Specialist Advisory Team in the DRC.
In addition to these deployments on the continent we have also deployed observers to be in support of the United Nations Political Mission in Nepal.
The Missions in Burundi, Northern Uganda as well as Ethiopia and Eritrea have been officially terminated, as a consequence of progress made in attaining the objectives set.
Our participation in these Missions strengthens our relations with these countries, the continent and the world at large in a variety of ways. To quote but a few instances:
* Both the governments and peoples of these countries value the contribution that we make, and therefore relate to our own government and people in a variety of areas as friends and partners.
* The attainment of peace and stability in these countries and regions opens up possibilities for these areas to attend to matters of economic growth and development, in pursuit of which various sectors of South African society – from civil society to business – are able to make a contribution. This helps to strengthen political, economic, cultural and other relations.
* The commitment that South Africa has shown to the attainment of peace and stability on the continent has improved our standing on the continent and further afield as a partner in promoting the African agenda and building a better world.
Issued by: The Presidency
19 August 2009
