Riyaz Patel
The current international relations climate is characterised by “unilateral actions” which undermines coordinated approaches in addressing current conflicts and crises in the world, South Africa’s Deputy International Relations Minister has said.
Speaking at the 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Azerbaijan, Alvin Botes, said “It is tempting to look inward for solutions to the prevailing challenges of our times, yet, what is required is more cooperation and coordination through forums such as this Movement to address shared challenges that continue to face the developing world.”
Sixty-four years on since NAM’s formation, Botes said the world has seen a “regression and push back towards efforts to find multilateral, collective and just solutions to prevailing conflicts.”
South Africa, like many NAM members, he said “remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Palestine. Demolitions of property, continued illegal settlement expansion and construction, forced evictions and collective punitive measures will not bring peace. Our Movement must continue to urge for a negotiated settlement to this long-standing conflict.”
Botes also called on the UN Secretary-General to appoint a personal envoy to Western Sahara, adding that NAM should reiterate the need for the Saharawi people to exercise their right to self-determination and freedom in accordance with the Bandung Principles and the United Nations Charter.
Botes further restated Pretoria’s “steadfast solidarity with the Government and People of Cuba, Venezuela and Zimbabwe while condemning the continuation of unilateral sanctions against these countries.”
South Africa’s deputy foreign minister also congratulated fellow NAM member states, Indonesia, Libya, Mauritania, Namibia, Sudan and Venezuela for being elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2020-2022.
Botes said NAM should be repositioned to be at the centre of global governance issues.
“We must continue to assert the pre-eminence of the United Nations. The UN is the only universal, credible and legitimate institution of global governance where our Movement enjoys an undisputed majority. Therefore, we must resist efforts to divide us and use us as surrogates in battles that detract us from championing the needs of our people.”
He said the Non-Aligned Movement should redouble its efforts towards reform of the UN and its main bodies.
“The configuration of the Security Council is untenable in today’s world and requires urgent reform if it is to be credible and relevant,” Botes said.
