Pretoria – The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and South African Police Service (SAPS) continue to participate diligently in conflict prevention and peacekeeping in the continent.
Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele said there has been a drastic reduction of piracy in the Mozambique Channel following SANDF operations in the area since 2011.
“SANDF successfully deployed two ships, SAS Spioenkop and SAS Galeshewe, on Operation Copper in the Mozambique Channel, alternating times during the reporting period,” Minister Cwele said.
On Tuesday, he chaired the International Cooperation, Trade and Security cluster media briefing, which was held in Cape Town.
SANDF continues to participate in the UN Peace Support Operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Operation Mistral), the United Nations (UN)/African Union (AU) Hybrid Peace Support Operation in Sudan (Operation Cordite).
“The Force Intervention Brigade, which SANDF is part of, had a very successful operation that saw the biggest armed group in the eastern DRC, M23, surrendering,” Minister Cwele said.
SANDF has also assisted with the development and completion of the Military Strategy of the Armed Forces of the DRC.
“The South African government will continue to contribute to peacekeeping on the continent through various peacekeeping missions. Our involvement in peacekeeping missions is premised on our appreciation that Africa’s economic development depends on the substance of peace and stability,” Minster Cwele said.
He said South Africa will continue to play a critical role in the restoration of peace and stability in the DRC, Burundi, Central African Republic, Libya, South Sudan and other conflict torn countries.
The country will work in partnership with regional and international partners and as a member of the AU Peace and Security Council. – SAnews.gov.za
