Visiting Cape Verde Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves has committed his country to ratifying the protocols for the establishment of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the Pan African Parliament of the African Union (AU).

Prime Minister Neves arrived in South Africa yesterday for a four-day state visit aimed at strengthening political and economic ties between South Africa and Cape Verde.

Addressing the media after holding discussions with Deputy President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria yesterday, Neves said leaders should follow the example of South Africa. Prime Minister Neves urged African leaders to ratify the protocols for the establishment of the PSC and AP, saying “Cape Verde is committed to signing these documents”.

He added that whatever trade relations established between South Africa and Cape Verde, would fall under the scope of the New Partnership for African Development (Nepad). “South Africa has played a leading role in the establishment of the AU and Nepad and there’s a strong possibility that co-operations between Cape Verde and South African will be strengthened.

As far as trade, sea transport and infrastructure is concerned, we feel that they will fall within scope of Nepad,” said Neves speaking through an intepreter. Nepad is the socio-recovery plan for the AU while the PSC and AP are related institutions established to strengthen the continental body’s ability to intervene in conflicts in member countries. Zuma said discussions focused on the AU, Nepad and the importance for member states to prioriotise the establishment of the PSC and the PAP. “We also talked about the matters of the AU as well as its institutions some of which are important. That needs to be given priority so that the continent can move forward,” he said He added that the PSC and the PAP were important instruments that Africa should begin to utilise.

Zuma said he was happy that the Prime Minister briefed him about the developments in the Sao Tome and Principe, a country hit by a coup recently.

Minister Neves said despite the coup against President Fradique de Menezes, whom soldiers toppled from power in the tiny oil-rich West African island, coup leaders had expressed a commitment for dialogue.

“Despite the coup, the new leaders have shown great openness for dialogue. They also wish to give power back to democratic institutions. We can almost say that democracy is on its way to being restored. The role the AU has played has shown how important this union is”. – BuaNews.