S. Africa pledges continued peacekeeping missions in Africa

South Africa will continue contributing to peace keeping on the continent through various peace keeping missions, the government said on Monday.

"Our involvement in peacekeeping missions is premised on our appreciation that Africa's economic development depends on the substance of peace and stability," the government said in a media statement issued by the International Cooperation, Trade and Security Cluster.

The South African National Defense Force's (SANDF) contribution to peace improves the lives of fellow Africans and the continent in general, guided by the objective of contributing to peace and stability on the continent, the statement said.

The SANDF participates in the United Nations Peace Support Operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the United Nations/African Union Hybrid Mission in Sudan.

The SANDF also provides Military Training Assistance to other government forces on the continent. This assistance is being provided to the DRC in which combat and combat support capabilities have been established. Elements of these forces have proven their combat skills along with other SADC forces during offensive operations of the Force Intervention Brigade against the M23 rebels.

Angola and Namibia have also received SANDF assistance for Naval Control and Guidance of Shipping.

Recently the SANDF became part of the newly established African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crisis which is an Interim Mechanism to assist in peace and security in the continent until such time that the African Standby Force is ready.

Maritime Security continues to be another key operation for the SANDF in the east coast of the continent.

Besides peace missions, the SANDF also provides relief domestically and internationally, the statement said.

This year, the SANDF was involved in the operation to assist the people of Mozambique in disaster relief efforts after floods had threatened the survival and lives of Mozambicans. Endi