Paul Mashatile, South Africa’s Deputy President, demands a ceasefire in Gaza, stressing the protection of innocents. He emphasizes the need for a two-state solution and highlights South Africa’s legal action against Israel. Mashatile also talks about South Africa’s non-aligned stance on the Ukraine conflict and aims to boost African investment through G20 leadership.
South Africa’s Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, advocates for a ceasefire in Gaza, condemning the killing of innocents in the ongoing conflict. During his address at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan, he reaffirmed South Africa’s long-standing support for Palestinian freedoms and a two-state solution, allowing both Israel and Palestine to coexist peacefully.
Mashatile highlighted South Africa’s legal actions against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which resulted in an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on genocide charges. He stated, “We want to protect life,” indicating the urgent need to prevent violence against children and civilians in Gaza.
The Deputy President expressed a desire for Israel and Palestine to resolve their differences through dialogue, emphasizing support for halting hostilities to enable negotiations and development. He affirmed South Africa’s commitment to peace, drawing parallels to the nation’s history of overcoming apartheid through negotiation.
During his visit to Japan, Mashatile also discussed South Africa’s role in the global context, particularly referring to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He clarified South Africa’s non-aligned stance, aiming to mediate and facilitate discussions for a peaceful resolution. He disclosed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit South Africa soon to contribute to the peace process.
Additionally, Mashatile’s meetings in Japan focused on attracting investment in Africa, leveraging the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) and promoting the African continental free trade area. He noted the importance of aligning G20 leadership with African developmental needs and global south aspirations.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile of South Africa called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and denounced violence against innocent civilians. He reiterated South Africa’s commitment to supporting Palestinian rights and pursuing peace through negotiation. Additionally, he highlighted South Africa’s non-aligned foreign policy regarding global conflicts, including Ukraine, while advocating for increased investment in Africa through international cooperation and development.
Original Source: www.arabnews.jp
