Suid-Afrika en vredesteunoperasies: perspektiewe op uitgangspunte en oorwegings

Abstract

Since South Africa held its first non-racial and democratic elections international expectations regarding South Africa's role as a member of the international community have grown. These have ranged from the hope that South Africa, like other African states, will play a responsible role in the resolution of various intra-state conflicts in Africa, to an expectation that South Africa will play an increasing leadership role in subregional, regional and even international organisations in respect of peace support operations. On paper South Africa's military capabilities appear impressive, but in reality there are certain impediments to a major role for the South African National Defence Force. Notwithstanding such impediments and the novelty ofsuch operations to South Africa, it would seem that tire sheer force of circumstance is likely to propel South Africa into the subregional and African peace suppon operations arena. Accordingly, tire South African government have attempted to fonnulate a coherent policy on peace suppon operations with a view to responding pro-actively and constructively to the expectations and challenges. This article will assess the premises and considerations as regards South Africa's commitment to participation in peace support operations.