By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation hosts its second African Peace and Security Dialogue that brings together Africa’s top leaders in order to discuss ways to achieve stability for Africa.

Africa sees itself plagued by an array of conflicts, most notably with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan whose people are being displaced by infinite proportions.

 The DRCs President Felix Tshisekedi has declined an invitation to the African Peace and Security Dialogue, who has accused former South African President Thabo Mbeki of being biased in favour of the M23 rebel forces.

 “In 2024 Africa suffered the most terrorism related deaths and for the 8th year in a row. On actual replacement and unconstitutional changes of government as promises of state renewal are increasingly seen by some as a response to deep governance failure and eroded trust and democracy,” said Chairperson of the foundation Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi when she spoke of the endless displacements of people in Africa from their countries due to war.

 Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, gave a speech at the Peace and Security Dialogue.

 “We stand today at a crossroads of history. In the current world of heightened uncertainty, and the return of dangerous might-makes-right policies, new possibilities may emerge, with pronounced risks. Yet we come from the vantage point that risks could be turned into both opportunities and promise, if only nations could swap confrontation with co-operation,” said Lamola in his address.

Lamola also addressed the growing tension between South Africa and the United States and suggests that South Africa must not be intimidated by the stature of America.

 “In our country some have even suggested that we should just dance to the tune of the US due to the impact of the tariffs on our economy, ignoring that the tariffs are not a uniquely South African Phenomenon,” he added.

Minister Lamola believes that there shouldn’t be anything standing in the way of South Africa’s deepest values systems which is the preservation of people’s human rights.

 “But what gives this stance its moral force? This is where our second principle enters: Progressive Internationalism. This is the belief that our actions cannot be divorced from our deepest domestic values: human rights, social justice and the rule of law.” said Minister Lamola