[Ugnet] SA Will Support Military Action Against Instigators of Conflicts

"South Africa and Africa would not prosper if there are conflicts in the continent. We cannot achieve the New Partnership for African Development (Nepad) goals if there is continued instability in the continent.

"It is within this context that South Africa assumes a leading role in resolving conflicts in Africa," he said."

Citizens:

Is South Africa is genuinely interested in resolving conflicts in Africa, It must , as a matter of priority deal with the those who create the conflicts to begin with! which means SA should deal with Dictator Yoweri museveni of Uganda .

Second, It must address Hutu Concerns which have pushed the Hutu to the extreme to the extent that most Hutus must now pick up arms to fight for their rights. If SA fails to do so, then they are simply engaged in rhetoric..they are not seriously seeking to address Issues which have lead to conflicts. ..This then is my take!

Matek.

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SA Will Support Military Action Against Instigators of Conflicts

South Africa will support military action against Rwanda's former Hutu dominated militia - Interahamwe - should the armed forces derail the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In addition, the African Union Peace and Security Council recommends armed action to neutralise the militia, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad said today.

Speaking during the Peace and Security Cluster briefing in Pretoria this morning, Mr Pahad said prospects of peace in the DRC were poor unless the Interahamwe problem was addressed.

Every two months, the clusters of government report to Cabinet on the implementation of government's Programme of Action after which Ministers brief the media and the Programme on Government Online http://www.gov.za is updated.

"If you don't deal with the Interahamwe you will never achieve peace in the DRC. If political action does not work it would be important to take military action, and South Africa would fully support such an action," he said.

He added that South Africa had been working very closely with the people of the DRC in ensuring peace in the troubled country, and that the 30 October elections were held in a stable political environment.

"Before any election could take place, the demobilisation of former rebel movements, including Interahamwe, is crucial. However, the withdrawal of the militia from the peace process is causing a delay in the demobilisation process and is also creating an unstable political climate," he said

On the political situation in Ivory Coast, Mr Pahad said South Africa was asked by the African Union to try to unblock the peace process in that country.

"We will review the Pretoria Agreement and identify the stumbling blocks in the implementation of the agreement.

"After the Pretoria Agreement which was signed by the warring sides, we have seen no progress in the implementation of the peace process. We would like to see the legislative process completed and the disarmament process begin," he said.

In this regard, President Thabo is hosting another round of peace talks in Pretoria today with key leaders of Cote D'Ivoire.

Mr Pahad said while South Africa would do its best to ensure an amicable solution to that country's problems, strong measures could be taken against those standing in the way of peace.

"The possibility of sanctions to anyone obstructing the Pretoria Agreement is a reality," he said.

Mr Pahad said South Africa would continue its conflict resolution mission in the continent's hot spots.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council on Friday extended the UN operation in the Ivory Coast until 24 January 2006, following the unanimous adoption of Resolution 1609 (2005).

"It is within this context that South Africa assumes a leading role in resolving conflicts in Africa," he said.

[Ugnet] SA Will Support Military Action Against Instigators of Conflicts

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