SA, Ghana seek African stability
Matome Sebelebele
8 November 2004
Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and her Ghanaian counterpart, Nana Akufo Addo, have reaffirmed the importance of the African Union (AU) in bringing peace and political stability to war-torn countries in the continent.
The two ministers met in Accra last week during Dlamini-Zuma's three-day visit to the west African country.
Their reaffirmation comes as more African countries are committing troops to help put down the fires in conflict-ridden areas such as the Ivory Coast and Sudan's Darfur region.
Several African states, including South Africa, have already deployed forces in the Great Lakes states such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Other missions around the continent include the deployment of military support personnel in Darfur, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast.
Many leaders across the world have welcomed these developments, saying this indicated Africa's resolve to end conflicts and usher in good
governance.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the two ministers had agreed that the 53-member AU was the only legitimate instrument to deal with conflicts on the continent.
He added that on the Ivory Coast, the ministers had expressed concern about the failure of the signatories to implement the Accra III Agreement "in full", and urged all the stakeholders to recommit themselves to the achievement of durable peace and lasting security in the conflict-ridden country.
The agreement, signed by representatives of all the political parties and rebel movements in Ivory Coast, spells out key dates for the implementation of the peace accord in the divided west African nation.
Dlamini-Zuma also paid a visit to Ghana's President, John Kufuor, and signed numerous cooperation agreements with the Ghanaian government, including one on the avoidance of double taxation.
Dlamini-Zuma's tour to west Africa - including visits to Mali and Senegal - focuses on
political, peace and security issues on the continent.
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs
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