Question NW308 to the MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
28 June 2017 - NW308
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
(1) With reference to the statement of the President of the Republic, Mr Jacob G Zuma, made during the State of the Nation Address on 9 February 2017, that South Africa will continue mediation efforts, peacekeeping operations and peace-making initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, what is the current status of South Africa’s formal involvement in the specified country? (NW327E)
Reply:
- South Africa continues to support MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) through a deployment of uniformed and other personnel in a multi-dimensional peacekeeping which involves the military, police and the civilian components. MONUSCO’s strategic priorities are to protect civilians, stemming out of violence against women and children perpetuated by armed groups. The current mandate of MONUSCO will expire on 31 March 2017. The UN will provide guidance in terms of the extension of the mandate based on a situational analysis on the ground, particularly in the Eastern DRC and the political developments as the country prepares for the elections by end of 2017.