President Cyril Ramaphosa has asserted that Africa stands firmly on the centre of South Africa’s international coverage.
The President mentioned South Africa was firmly dedicated to strengthening the African Union (AU) as an instrument of peace, stability, integration and growth on the continent.
“South Africa performs a number one position on a number of continental points. We’re, for instance, the chair of the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative. We’re at present the AU Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response,” he mentioned.
The President was responding to Questions for Oral Reply within the Nationwide Meeting in Parliament, Cape City on Thursday.
WATCH | President Ramaphosa responds to questions within the Nationwide Meeting
An uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Member of Parliament (MP) had requested the President to justify the Republic’s international coverage which in keeping with the MP, usually appears to be extra aligned with Western pursuits than with the wants of the African continent and what steps the President has taken to make sure that the Republic stays a frontrunner in selling African unity and self-determination.
President Ramaphosa added that South Africa has been working intently with different international locations in direction of the complete implementation of the African Continental Free Commerce Space, which is ready to remove commerce limitations, increase intra-African commerce and advance prosperity for all of Africa.
“We proceed to work inside the African Union to finish a number of ongoing conflicts on the continent and restore constitutional and democratic authorities to international locations which have just lately skilled coups.
“We’re at present concerned in supporting the individuals of Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and different international locations to make sure that there’s peace and stability on the continent,” he mentioned.
The President famous that because the AU Chair in 2020, South Africa led the continental response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This concerned overseeing a continent-wide technique, establishing progressive on-line platforms to entry important medical provides, mobilising worldwide funding and securing vaccines.
Championing the African agenda
“South Africa has persistently championed the African agenda on the world stage. South Africa efficiently advocated for the inclusion of the African Union as a fully-fledged member of the G20.
“We have now indicated that we’ll place the pursuits of the African continent prominently on the agenda of our G20 Presidency subsequent yr,” the President mentioned.
READ | Authorities prepares for G20 Presidency and Summit
President Ramaphosa additional highlighted that South Africa has pressured the worth of the BRICS alliance to advancing Africa’s developmental agenda. As Chair of BRICS final yr, South Africa invited representatives from different African international locations to attend the summit hosted in Johannesburg.
Forty-six African international locations attended, together with 20 Heads of State and Authorities.
Non-alignment
The President emphasised that South Africa pursues an impartial international coverage.
“Via our international coverage, we purpose to advertise our nationwide curiosity based mostly on the safety and promotion of our nationwide sovereignty and constitutional order.
“The important thing pillars of our international coverage embrace the promotion of human rights, peace and stability and the strengthening of commerce and funding ties with different international locations,” he mentioned.
For the reason that introduction of democracy, South Africa has taken a place of non-alignment, that means that it has chosen to not align itself with any of the most important world powers or blocs.
“As an alternative, our nation strives to work with all international locations for world peace and growth.
“We’re guided by our personal values and ideas. And we’re firmly dedicated to advancing the event and prosperity of the continent that we name house,” the President mentioned.
Angola
Amongst different questions, the President was requested by an Inkatha Freedom Occasion (IFP) MP on his latest go to to Angola. Through the go to, President Ramaphosa prolonged an invite to President João Lourenço for an official go to to the Republic.
READ | President Ramaphosa concludes working go to to Angola
The President was requested whether or not the invitation he has prolonged to his Angolan counterpart, will contain initiating discussions on combating illicit commerce and unlawful substances which may be in transit between the 2 international locations with a purpose to defend the property of the African continent, similar to its minerals and wildlife.
In his response, the President mentioned the agenda for the assembly between the 2 Heads of State was at present being developed and it was envisaged that varied Ministers will help the 2 Heads of State in making ready for the go to.
“Inside this context, the Ministers could have a possibility to mirror on security and safety issues, together with the commerce and transport of unlawful substances between the 2 international locations.
“They might then have the ability to current a report and suggestions to the Heads of State throughout the State Go to,” he mentioned.
