Johannesburg - South Africa has donated more than R90m to
curb violence in Mali, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on
Tuesday.
“On behalf of President Jacob Zuma, the Republic of South
Africa pledges $10m [more than R90 million]... for the capacitation of police
forces, to the Mali Donor Fund,” she said at a Mali Donor Conference in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia.
“South Africa rises on this occasion to add its voice to
those of our fellow African brothers and sisters and the international
roleplayers in condemning the acts of violence perpetrated against the peoples
of Mal,i” she said.
Mapisa-Nqakula said South Africa had also sent €10m (about
R122m) worth of humanitarian aid to the country. This was in addition to the
$55m (about R499m) pledged by the African Union to the donor fund.
“It is hoped that this is the materialisation of Africa’s
aspiration to stand up against the grave acts of those who opt for blood
shedding and political turmoil in trying to satisfy their needs and sometimes,
wants,” she said.
The new forces would attempt to support the Malian army
against Al-Qaeda-aligned groups which took control of the northern part of the
country.
On January 11, French armed forces intervened in the
conflict.
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