The Cabinet has agreed to extend by two years, until March 2007, South Africa’s participation in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
”The involvement of South African National Defence Force [SANDF] staff officers, specialised elements, ordinary members and military police in Monuc [the UN mission in the DRC] is critical, not only in assisting the process towards lasting peace and democracy in the DRC,” said a statement issued on Thursday after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.
”It also provides an excellent opportunity for South Africa to gain experience in a complex peacekeeping environment.”
The meeting also approved the extension of SANDF participation in the UN and African Union missions in Ethiopia and Eritrea for another two years, ending in March 2007.
To mark the occasion of Africa Day, the Cabinet reiterated the government’s commitment to work with Africans on the continent and the African diaspora to improve the conditions of life of especially poor people.
”We are proud that, as never before, great strides are being made to extend democracy and good governance across the continent, to speed up economic growth and development, to resolve conflicts where these remain, and to build international solidarity in pursuit of a better Africa and a better world.”
The Cabinet was briefed on preparations for the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Committee meeting to be held in Durban in July.
The committee’s 29th meeting is of great significance as it creates an opportunity for Africa to develop a continent-wide policy approach on the conservation of its heritage, including the possibility of setting up an African world heritage fund.
”An interministerial committee has been set up to oversee preparations for the meeting,” the statement said.
Another pending opportunity for the continent is the World Economic Forum’s Southern African meeting in Cape Town next week.
”The forum presents yet another opportunity for interaction among economic and other leaders on issues affecting the region and the continent, in pursuit of higher rates of investment as well as tourism, trade and other relations between Africa and the rest of the world,” the statement said.
The Cabinet was informed of preparations for South Africa’s participation in the Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity in Brazil next month.
”The meeting agreed that South Africa should respond positively if it is invited to host [the next forum meeting] in 2007.” — Sapa