SA supports arms embargo against Ivory Coast

Aziz Pahad says Pretoria supports the move to impose an arms embargo on Ivory Coast

The government says it supports the African Union (AU) decision for an arms embargo to be applied against the Ivory Coast. Government says the AU decision to support the sanctions proposal is by no means a vote of no confidence in President Thabo Mbeki's efforts to broker a peace deal.

Olesugun Obasanjo, the president of Nigeria, who is also the AU chairperson, announced yesterday the decision to back the planned UN arms embargo. The sanctions proposal is expected to be voted on by the UN Security Council in New York today.

"We are not opposed to an arms embargo, immediately it can be imposed. We think it is necessary to stop the flow of arms into that conflict situation. So it does not show a failure, no. Our talks are continuing the president (Mbeki) unfortunately had to go to European tour, but this matter will still be discussed there because Europe is key to the issue too," said Aziz Pahad, the deputy foreign affairs minister, adding "We're in constant touch ... the president is in constant touch with Jacques Chirac (the president of France)."

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution threatening sanctions today.