South Sudan violence slammed

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

Published Jul 14, 2016

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Kigali - "Enough is enough. The violence in South Sudan is ­unacceptable,” Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma told the opening conference of the 29th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council in Kigali, Rwanda, on Wednesday.

Dlamini Zuma, the chairwoman of the AU Commission (AUC), was addressing the Council on day four of the 27th AU Summit.

Speaking to AU heads of state, members of the media, civil society organisations and other summit delegates, the trailblazing South African politician first complimented Rwanda on how the human spirit could overcome adversity, referring to the dark chapter in that country’s past when Hutu extremists wiped out approximately 800 000 Tutsis, and moderate Hutus, during the 1994 genocide.

Today the Rwandan capital Kigali was an example of how a city with a painful past could become a vibrant city of culture, economic growth, human development, and an example to the African continent, said Dlamini Zuma.

The AUC chairperson then turned to how concerned she was about the conflict in South Sudan, which over the past week had claimed up to 300 lives.

“It is with grave concern that I see South Sudan erupting into violence just two months after the transitional unity government came into power with the hope of establishing peace,” said Dlamini Zuma.

“The belligerents are back in the trenches and people are again barricaded behind the doors of their homes. The situation is unacceptable and we can’t just stand by as people lose their lives. The cost in homes destroyed, peacekeepers killed and girls abducted is too high.

“We promised not to spend our resources on conflict, and the AU’s theme for 2016 is human rights. Enough is enough,” she said as she appealed for AU intervention where human rights abuses were being systematically carried out on the continent.

Dlamini Zuma then called on AU members to stand together on the issue, stating that none of the African countries had a clean track record when it came to the abuse of human rights.

A new approach was needed in “silencing the guns” added Dlamini Zuma.

“We must focus on health and education and put the African people first. In order to implement our dream of an Africa that is integrated and prosperous, we need to take the necessary action and have a Pan-African outlook.

“Jobs need to be created for the millions of young Africans entering the job market each year. Africa’s problem is that it is rich in resources, yet so many people are still poor,” said Dlamini Zuma.

She then turned to Africa becoming self-sufficient.

Quoting former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel-Nasser, one of the founders of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), she said: “He who can’t support himself can’t make his own decisions. Self-reliance and self-sufficiency are vital”. African News Agency

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