PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma lamented how the continent is relegated to the back seat while decisions are taken on its behalf.
Speaking in Pretoria during a meeting with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Joseph Kabila, Zuma reiterated his call for reform of the United Nations Security Council and international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank "which relegate our continent to a peripheral role of non-deciders".
"We must prevail in this objective to ensure our continent takes up its rightful place when decisions are made for its future," Zuma said.
He said the partnership between South Africa and the DRC should advance the promotion of regional integration, sustainable development and conflict resolution in pursuit of the goal of African renewal.
Kabila, who came with a delegation of ministers, said the meeting did not only evaluate what had been achieved between the two countries over the years but to set new benchmarks.
The countries were looking into encouraging greater investment focusing on banking, infrastructure development, mining and in the food industry.
Kabila spoke of a rapid-changing world full of threat. He acknowledged there were problems in the DRC, particularly the east, which has been at the centre of a five-year conflict that has pitted government forces against rebels who are reportedly supported by Rwanda and Uganda.
Meanwhile, drama unfolded outside the Sefako Makgatho presidential guesthouse where the meeting was taking place.
A group of Congolese men chanted anti-Kabila slogans, calling him a "criminal who killed more than eight million people".
Shouting at the top of their voices as neighbours and police kept a close watch, they demanded that he step down as he had rigged the elections in the first place.
"We don't want him. He must go. Zuma must help us take that man out," said one who was flanked by others who sang and waved placards with the words "Floribet Cheya was killed by Joseph Kabila". Another depicted a picture of a young girl who was scarred across her face.
"You don't know the reality in Congo. We are ready to carry guns," they shouted as they told of the hardships in the mineral-rich country.
Attempts by police to disperse the men was met with resistance as the group sang and sat on the ground, insisting they wanted to show Kabila how much they despised him.
They carried a mock wooden coffin, saying they would put Kabila in it after dealing with him. - nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za
Continent must take rightful place - Zuma
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma lamented how the continent is relegated to the back seat while decisions are taken on its behalf.
Speaking in Pretoria during a meeting with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Joseph Kabila, Zuma reiterated his call for reform of the United Nations Security Council and international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank "which relegate our continent to a peripheral role of non-deciders".
"We must prevail in this objective to ensure our continent takes up its rightful place when decisions are made for its future," Zuma said.
He said the partnership between South Africa and the DRC should advance the promotion of regional integration, sustainable development and conflict resolution in pursuit of the goal of African renewal.
Kabila, who came with a delegation of ministers, said the meeting did not only evaluate what had been achieved between the two countries over the years but to set new benchmarks.
The countries were looking into encouraging greater investment focusing on banking, infrastructure development, mining and in the food industry.
Kabila spoke of a rapid-changing world full of threat. He acknowledged there were problems in the DRC, particularly the east, which has been at the centre of a five-year conflict that has pitted government forces against rebels who are reportedly supported by Rwanda and Uganda.
Meanwhile, drama unfolded outside the Sefako Makgatho presidential guesthouse where the meeting was taking place.
A group of Congolese men chanted anti-Kabila slogans, calling him a "criminal who killed more than eight million people".
Shouting at the top of their voices as neighbours and police kept a close watch, they demanded that he step down as he had rigged the elections in the first place.
"We don't want him. He must go. Zuma must help us take that man out," said one who was flanked by others who sang and waved placards with the words "Floribet Cheya was killed by Joseph Kabila". Another depicted a picture of a young girl who was scarred across her face.
"You don't know the reality in Congo. We are ready to carry guns," they shouted as they told of the hardships in the mineral-rich country.
Attempts by police to disperse the men was met with resistance as the group sang and sat on the ground, insisting they wanted to show Kabila how much they despised him.
They carried a mock wooden coffin, saying they would put Kabila in it after dealing with him. - nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za
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