Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad today emphasised the need to maintain the momentum in the DRC negotiations aimed at securing an early cease-fire in that country.
Deputy Minister Pahad made these remarks after meeting with Mr Tony Lloyd, Special Envoy of Prime Minister Tony Blair, in Johannesburg earlier today. Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad welcomed Britain's efforts to bolster the peace initiative on the DRC and shared Mr Lloyd's concern about the escalation in the conflict in the central African country. The Ministers also noted the latest decision by President Kabila to dissolve his cabinet and awaited additional information on this latest move.
The two Ministers also raised the conflict in Angola and discussed ways of easing the tensions between the governments of Angola and Zambia. Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad also underlined the South African Government's commitment to the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Unita and again called on the South African private sector to adhere to these sanctions.
The deterioration in the situation in Sierra Leone was also of great concern. Both Ministers condemned the atrocities being committed by rebel forces in that country and called on the international community to support ECOMOG forces in their attempt at securing peace in Sierra Leone.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
22 FEBRUARY 1999