Africa's Unity Core of ANC Foreign Policy

[Jacuma]

JOHANNESBURG 12 March 2009 Sapa

AFRICA'S UNITY CORE OF ANC FOREIGN POLICY

Unity of the African continent, both politically and economically, will
remain the ANC's major foreign policy thrust, says party president Jacob
Zuma.

Addressing foreign diplomats in Pretoria on Wednesday, Zuma said the ANC
aimed to strengthen the country's role in peace, reconstruction,
development and integration, especially in southern Africa and the
African continent. This was according to notes released by the ANC on
Thursday. Wednesday's meeting was closed to the media.

"We must emphasise what our icon, former President Nelson Mandela said
in 1992 that the primary task of the ANC's international policy was to
be a friend to every nation in the world.

"We will therefore continue to explore and deepen our multilateral and
bilateral relationships globally."

He added that the ANC had a "clear plan" to fight poverty, crime and
other social ills in the world.

"We seek the partnership of the international community as we work to
achieve our goals.

"We will therefore be strengthening our economic relations on both a
South-South and North-South level."

According to Zuma the ANC government sought to strengthen its
multilateral relations and work together with the south for a more
equitable distribution of power.