UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- South Africa remains committed to international cooperation in fighting terrorism, a senior diplomat of the African country said here on Tuesday.
Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on "Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts," Jerry Matjila, permanent representative of South Africa to the UN said "no country can shoulder this burden alone. The centrality of the United Nations in coordinating and facilitating international efforts to fight terrorism, and providing support to those Member States requiring it, is crucial, if we are to succeed."
In this regard, Matjila said, "we value the work of the UN's counter-terrorism bodies in assisting Member States to fight this scourge, and encourage greater cooperation between these and regional bodies, including the African Union."
In the fight against ISIL/Da'esh, South Africa also views as important the work of the UN's Investigative Team for Accountability of Da'esh (UNITAD) which is undertaking the task of investigating the crimes committed by ISIL/Da'esh, and working to ensure that those responsible face accountability for their crimes.
South Africa remains committed to addressing terrorism holistically, as a security threat, but equally with respect to addressing the conditions and factors that give rise to terrorism and feed it.
"Its causes and manifestations are varied and should be taken into account in elaborating counter-measures, in full compliance with international law, including Human Rights Law and Humanitarian Law," he said.
It is also critically important that countries refrain from the use of unilateral coercive measures in their counter-terror efforts, the South African envoy said.
