- ‘To address global instability and insecurity, we have decided to launch a dedicated EU-South Africa, peace, security and defense dialog,’ says European Council president
- 'We have to step up the financing of our security and defense,” says Ursula von der Leyen
ISTANBUL
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Thursday that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) blocs want a ceasefire and peace the in conflict-ravaged eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) “as soon as possible.”
“The situation is precarious, but the peace as it is now is holding, and we are hoping to consolidate that as the (peacekeepers’) withdrawal process moves on, and it should be seen as a confidence-building measure to consolidate the ceasefire and the peace,” Ramaphosa said in a news conference with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after the 8th EU-South Africa Summit.
The SADC ended its peacekeeping mandate in Congo, (SAMIDRC), on Thursday amid a rebel offensive in the east.
The decision came as peace talks between Congo and the M23 rebel group, brokered by Angola, are set to begin March 18 in the Angolan capital of Luanda.
“It's going to be a phased withdrawal from the DRC, and it will take into account the existing conditions as they evolve on the ground,” said Ramaphosa.
The South African leader urged the UN, African Union and the EU to assist in addressing the “dire situation” faced by those affected by the crisis.
EU, South Africa to launch ‘dedicated’ peace, security, defense dialog
“To address global instability and insecurity, we have decided to launch a dedicated EU South Africa, peace, security and defense dialog,” said European Council President Antonio Costa, as he reaffirmed a commitment to supporting peace efforts in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan and Congo.
Expressing the need for a “surge” in defense, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted that the EU has to increase competitiveness and step up its defense investment “massively.”
She noted that a discussion on a defense investment package with European Council member states and parliament was in progress.
“We know that we have gaps in the military capabilities that we have to fill and that we have to step up the financing of our security and defense,” said von der Leyen.
Responding to a question about US tariffs and President Donald Trump’s threats, von der Leyen said: “We don't like tariffs because we think that tariffs are taxes, and they are bad for business, and they're bad for consumers. We've always said that we will, at the same time, defend our interest.”
Emphasizing that the EU is open to negotiations, she said Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has been in contact with his US counterpart, and they are scheduled for a call Friday to discuss the issue.
Separately, stressing the US aid withdrawal is “regrettable,” von der Leyen said the Global Gateway investment package of €4.7 billion to South Africa was a “fresh” investment, and independent of the US decision.
‘No one deserves more peace than the people of Ukraine’
Hailing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s upcoming South Africa visit in April, von der Leyen said it is important to work for a lasting peace. “No one wants more peace than the people of Ukraine, and no one deserves more peace than the people of Ukraine,” she said.
Ramaphosa added: “Our involvement in all this has proven and demonstrated that we are neutral, and we've been encouraging both Ukraine and Russia to find a peaceful solution, and we will continue to do so.”
He said Zelenskyy’s visit is an opportunity to encourage Ukraine and Russia to seek peace, expressing hope that there is now wider acceptance of the need for a resolution.
“As Ursula von der Leyen says, the people of Ukraine and indeed, the people of Russia need more peace than anyone else in the world, and our task is to urge them, to encourage them, to nudge them in the way of finding a peaceful solution,” he added.