No SA planes for peacekeepers in CAR

Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says South Africa does not have the aircraft needed to transport African peacekeepers in CAR. Photo: GCIS

Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says South Africa does not have the aircraft needed to transport African peacekeepers in CAR. Photo: GCIS

Published Jan 30, 2014

Share

Addis Ababa - Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Thursday South Africa did not have the aircraft to carry African peacekeeping troops into the troubled Central African Republic (CAR).

She was reacting to an appeal from the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), which asked South Africa and Angola to provide airlift to carry more troops of the AU peacekeeping mission Misca into the CAR to quell the raging religious violence there.

Alpha Conde, president of Guinea and AUPSC chairman, said the council had resolved that Misca should be strengthened.

He said Algeria had offered aircraft to transport troops to the CAR. Conde said the council had decided African countries with logistical capacity should “make the gesture”.

Mapisa-Nqakula said if the request was conveyed government would consider it. However, she said South Africa had to charter aircraft last year to move troops to and from the CAR.

Cape Argus

Related Topics: