/ 2 June 2010

Zuma: Africa’s wars block development

Zuma: Africa's Wars Block Development

Conflicts on the African continent must be resolved as they hinder development, President Jacob Zuma said in France on Tuesday.

An urgent task facing the continent and its strategic partners, such as France, was resolving conflict in Africa, he told journalists in Nice at the end of a state visit, during which he attended the two-day 25th Africa-France Summit.

Zuma said the gathering discussed peace, security, development, trade and investment, according to a statement issued by the Presidency.

“The African Union position on unconstitutional changes of government must be respected. People who come into power through military or other unconstitutional means should not get support from outside the continent,” the South African Presidency quoted him as saying.

Responding to questions on the political impasse in Madagascar, he said there was a convergence of views between South Africa and France on the need to support the work of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“We are confident that we will resolve the Madagascar issue faster due to the work that is being carried out by SADC, with the assistance of France and other key stakeholders, such as the African Union and the United Nations.”

Zuma was expected to depart France late on Tuesday for India on another state visit. — Sapa