by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SOUTH African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has encouraged the BRICS bloc to intensify efforts to resolve conflicts around the world.
He was speaking at the 17th Summit of the organisation, hosted by Brazil.
BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa but has recently expanded with the addition of several other countries.
The meeting of its leaders in Rio de Janeiro comes at a time when conflict grips some parts of the world.
“We remain deeply concerned by the heavy human toll of conflicts in Russia and Ukraine, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and Gaza, among others,” Ramaphosa lamented.
South Africa has intervened in some of these conflicts in an effort to bring peace.
Its military was until recently deployed in DRC where rebel groups are perpetrating instability.
South Africa has also taken legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Israel’s conduct in the Gaza Strip during the Gaza war, which has resulted in a humanitarian crisis and mass killings of more than 60, 000 civilians.
“Peace and security across the world require the collective will of the community of nations,” Ramaphosa said.
At the summit, he added that South Africa is committed to working together with all countries to confront the debt challenge in a manner that is effective, sustainable and just.
The BRICS summit closed on Monday.
– CAJ News