COMMITTEES: Thank you, hon Minister, hon members allow me to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Home Affairs for availing himself to take questions in the NCOP. Thank you, hon Minister ... yes, you are ... [Applause.]
Question 28:
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION (Ms
K C Mashego-Dlamini): Hon Chairperson, our response is as follows: The issue of the United Nation Security Council reform is not discussed in the United Nation Security Council itself, as it is a matter of the agenda of the general assembly.
South Africa is however utilising its membership of the Security Council to advocate for the improvement of the council's working method to make it more legitimate, representative and effective
body. On 6 June 2019, South Africa addressed the council on behalf of the 10 elected members of the council at a debate of improving the council's working method. At that debate South Africa also stressed that as elected members we have also taken it upon ourselves to attempt to breach the gap created by our limited terms on the council by fostering greater co- operation and co-ordination amongst ourselves. This intention was manifested in the November 2018 co-ordination meeting launched in Pretoria, which brought together incoming, current and outgoing elected members to explore mechanisms and areas for collaboration and co-ordination to better serve on the council in pursuit of the maintenance of the international peace and security.
Chairperson, South Africa remains committed to the African common position on Security Council reform as contained in the African Union Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration as the only way through which the imbalance in the representation of Africa in the UN Security Council can be corrected and for the council to reflect the current composition of the United Nations.
South Africa has advocated for the Ezulwini Consensus in all multilateral forum and in other relevant summits and meetings.
On the issue of the progress on the African goals of silencing the guns in the continent by 2020, our response is yes, indeed there has been a significant progress on the African Union aspirations of silencing the guns by the year 2020.
Firstly, the institutions of the African Union for dealing with conflict prevention and resolution have been established including the African Union Peace and Security Council Panel of the Wise and African Standby Force, although not fully operational.
The African Union has also adopted a prompt action to condemn unconstitutional change of governments in Gambia and other African states. The continent has also pursuit the African solutions to African problems through mediation to reduce violent conflicts. As part of aspiration of a peaceful and secure Africa, silencing of guns is aimed at reducing armed conflicts in the continent, while 2020 deadline is fast approaching, we have made significant progress and intend to build on that and the collective do our part to ensure that Africa is free of conflicts by 2063. I thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]