Jacob Zuma calls for dialogue in DRC

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By CGTN Africa

South African President Jacob Zuma urged the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo to determine their political future through negotiation and dialogue.

Zuma was speaking in Johannesburg at a Bi-National Commission between South Africa and the DRC.

The South Africa-Democratic Republic of Congo Bi-National Commission deals with bilateral and economic relations between the two countries.

South Africa and the DRC co-operate in security, energy, infrastructure development, capacity and institutional building, trade, health and transport.

After two decades of bilateral cooperation, the two countries have reiterated their commitment to work together to improve their partnership in various fields.

South African President Jacob Zuma (R) ‍and DRC’s President Joseph Kabila Kabange, during the 10th session of the Bi-National Commission between the two countries. /GCIS Photo

South Africa is the DRC’s biggest supplier of foreign goods and services, providing more than 20 percent of the country’s total imports.

South Africa also contributes troops to peacekeeping mission in the DRC.

Zuma noted that the DRC has been able to resolve issues through dialogue in the past, and the same should be used again to end the current impasse.

“The people of the DRC need to determine and decide their internal political future. The best way to do so is through negotiations and dialogue.

"The people of the DRC have proven in the past their ability to dialogue. We wish to reiterate that Dialogue and not conflict is the best way to resolve problems,” he said.

Kabila’s second and final term in power expired in December last year, but the country has so far failed to organize elections, with the electoral body saying it couldn’t hold the vote due to logistical problems.

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