The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad Ramtane Lamamra, and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Naledi Pandor, expressed their concern over the deterioration of the general landscape of peace and security on the African continent.
In a joint communiqué on the occasion of Naledi Pandor’s three-day official visit to Algeria, which began on Friday, the two sides stressed the need to adhere to the principle of African solutions to African problems with regard to efforts aimed at preventing, managing and resolving conflicts and crises on the continent.
They agreed to intensify their joint efforts within the African Union and the United Nations to advance Africa’s interests and advance its pioneering programmes, particularly with regard to « Silencing the Guns » initiative and the implementation of Agenda 2063, and reaffirmed their joint commitment to the unity of the African Union in line with the principles and objectives set forth in the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
At the international level, the two Ministers affirmed their commitment to a rules-based system that would be the best and safest way to enhance cooperation and address global issues, while preserving the collective interests of African countries, and stressed the importance of strengthening the leading role of the United Nations in coordinating international responses to the world’s most pressing challenges.
With regard to Libya, the two ministers affirmed their strong rejection of all foreign interference in the internal affairs of Libya, and stressed the need for the international community to sincerely support the efforts led by the Libyans, which aim to ensure preparations for the upcoming general elections, the reunification of national institutions, the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign forces, and the achievement of national reconciliation.
As for the situation in Mali, the two ministers expressed their solidarity with the government and people of Mali in light of the enormous challenges the country is currently facing, and urged the Malian parties to expedite the implementation of the peace and reconciliation process emanating from the Algiers Agreement, end the crisis and preserve the unity of their country and its territorial integrity.
With regard to the situation in the Middle East, the two Ministers affirmed their firm support for the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent and viable state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, and stressed that solving the Palestinian issue remains essential to achieving sustainable peace and stability in the Middle East.
The two ministers agreed to deepen the tradition of coordination and consultation at all levels to maintain convergence of views, analyzes and principled positions regarding issues of common concern, according to the joint communiqué.
