The Deputy Ministers and Special Envoys responsible for the Middle East and North Africa are meeting today to discuss, amongst other issues, the Middle East Peace Process as well as developments in the Gulf States, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Western Sahara and Yemen. Photo: Brics SA
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Candith Mashego Dlamini chaired the 9th Brics Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region in Cape Town on 26 April 2023.
This was the first in-person or hybrid meeting since 2019.
Topics on the agenda including the geopolitical changes taking place in the Mena region, such as the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
In addition, ministers also condemned the issue of violent extremism, terrorism, and armed conflict, which remains a significant security challenge in the Mena.
Dlamini said, “There seems to be a quiet but incremental geo political change taking place in the Middle East right now”.
She said this “new phase of friendly relations” was “facilitated by the People’s Republic of China on 10 March 2023 in Beijing”.
Another critical issue discussed was the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, with the South African delegation expressing its deep concern about the ongoing levels of violence.
Dlamini said the brutality and provocative rhetoric of the Israeli settlers and occupation forces in Palestinian territory “perpetuates an endemic cycle of violence which is not conducive to peace”.
“South Africa remains committed to a solution which is premised on a just settlement with just laws that are rights-based.”
On Tuesday, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, walked out of the UNSC Palestine session, blaming Palestinian for the ongoing conflict.
Before walking out, he ironically said Palestinians rejected all peace initiatives.
“Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine discriminates against, and violates Palestinians legitimate rights,” Dlamini added.
The South African delegation at Mena reiterated its support the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate rights, including but not limited to their right to self-determination.
Dlamini said “the rise of violent extremism by ISIS, Boko Haram, Al Shabab and AQIM […] has caused great damage to the Mena region”.
She said South Africa – and all of Brics – “must condemn terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism”.
“South Africa is of the view that only through ongoing cooperation, continuous assessment of the threat and sharing of information, can we begin to make progress in addressing this challenge.”
Earlier today, Boko Haram vowed to wipe out an entire family when the son refused to join the terrorist group.
As reported by Daily Post’s Ochogwu Sunday in Nigeria, a family said the son was “abducted by Boko Haram to undergo initiation into the sect to prepare him for the task of attacking people”.
He escaped a few weeks ago, but Boko Haram members located his family home.
Thankfully, none of his family members was at home, and the group ransacked the place “and broke every valuable item”.
The Mena delegations reaffirmed their commitment to building peace, security, and stability in the Mena region through dialogue and inclusive consultations.
The Brics collective said it will continue to prioritise regional and continental peace, stability and security, as well as the development towards a sustainable, peaceful and just global order.”
Dlamini concluded: “The importance of addressing conflict is a ‘sine qou non’ (without which not) for a peaceful, secure and stable Middle East and North Africa“.
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