No country in the world can claim to be immune from insecurity posed by other states, South African Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the 10th Moscow Conference on International Security in Russia, the minister said it was crucial that her continent should “never waver in its determination to build a safer Africa.”
“The reality of intra-state tensions cannot be ignored. Unresolved tensions between and within countries are often exploited by opportunistic groups of armed and sometimes faceless and stateless actors,” Modise said.
She said South Africa was always ready to engage in the resolution of conflicts.
“We believe that we must continue to choose mediation and peace. As a nation in search for sustainable peace across the globe, we must utilise this platform to accelerate our advance towards a safe and secure world,” the minister said.
She added: “Our position is that multilateralism remains a central pillar to resolving conflict. We respect and encourage resolutions that rebuild people and nations – rather than encourage the ‘might is right’ phenomenon.”
The three-day conference ends on Wednesday, and is being attended by defence ministers from different countries as well as experts and key stakeholders in the military field.
NM/jn/APA