South African Government News Service
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Responding to wide-ranging questions in the National Council of Provinces on Wednesday, Motlanthe said South Africa will consult the African Union Mission in Somalia and other interested parties on how best to support the political process and to find a lasting solution to the problems facing that country.
The African Union recently approached South Africa to assist by sending more troops to the war-torn Somalia or provide funding for the peace mission, something Motlanthe said would have financial and human resources implications for South Africa.
"In view of these implications, it is important that the matter first be discussed by Cabinet, before a decision is taken," he said.
"One of the most important aspects as acknowledged by the African leaders at the (recent AU) Kampala Summit is that a military intervention alone would not resolve the Somalia conflict," he added.
A comprehensive approach that addresses the political process, security and piracy was needed, thus it is crucial that a search for a comprehensive all-inclusive solution be stepped up.
Motlanthe said the broadening participation in the Somali political process to include an overwhelming number of parties remained a major challenge. This has to be done in cooperation with other African partners, in particular the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) - an organisation to which Somalia belongs.
Source: South African Government News Service