SANDF to stay in DRC until '07
2005-05-26 15:37
Pretoria - The cabinet has agreed to extend by two years, until March 2007, South Africa's participation in a UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"The involvement of SANDF staff officers, specialised elements, ordinary members and military police in Monuc (the UN mission) is critical, not only in assisting the process towards lasting peace and democracy in the DRC," said a statement issued on Thursday.
"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."
- SAPA