President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s foreign policy will always seek to contribute towards peace and stability on the African Continent. The President was addressing a Diplomatic Corps in celebration of Africa Day in Pretoria.

The theme for this year’s Africa Day celebration is “A year of Nelson Mandela – Building a Better Africa and a Better World”. Ramaphosa says efforts are underway by the African Union to deal with the on-going conflict in some parts of Africa.

“We regard our policy as being pivoted on the interests of our continent. We are determined to redouble our efforts contributing to peace and security, development and prosperity for Africa. We however remain deeply concerned by the ongoing insecurity in the east of the DRC, the Sahel region and the ongoing conflict in South Sudan. We are hopeful that concerted efforts by the AU will lead to peaceful and durable solutions to these conflicts.”

Meanwhile, speaking at the same event , the dean of the Diplomatic Corps to South Africa Bene M’poko says South Africa is a powerful voice in international affairs.  M’poko praised South Africa’s ability to host major international events.

Africa Day is celebrated because it is on this day that Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was formed.

The organisation was restructured and renamed the African Union in 2002.

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