By More Matshediso
Johannesburg - South African President Jacob Zuma has called on African leaders to work harder to build peace and promote inclusive growth and development in Africa.
He was addressing the opening session of the 15th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Friday.
“Peace creates better conditions for the achievement of economic development and growth,” said President Zuma.
He said 2015 has brought about the painful humanitarian disaster caused by unparalleled global migration.
“Scores of migrants from Africa and the Middle East have perished in the Mediterranean sea in their attempts to reach Europe. This desperation is caused by the urgent need to flee from wars and conflict and from poverty and hopelessness,” he said.
He said there can be no lasting military solution to this problem - it needs political, social and economic solutions to ensure sustainability.
“We must give the African people who live in poverty hope that a better future is possible,” said President Zuma.
Africa has already taken steps to find African solutions to end conflicts and instability. The continent has committed to “silencing the guns” in Africa by 2020, in alignment with the Agenda 2063 commitment.
“We have already taken a significant step forward towards bringing the African Standby Force and its Rapid Deployment Capability into operation. The force will respond quickly in conflict situations to save lives and bring stability.
“I would like to acknowledge the tangible contribution of the People’s Republic of China’s with regard to peacekeeping in Africa,” said President Zuma.
In addition to participating in up to 16 United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in Africa, China currently has approximately 2 000 peacekeeping personnel on the ground.
“We appreciate this commitment to peace, development and progress… We must give our people hope that indeed the guns will be silenced and that peace can be achieved in every part of the continent,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
