Alliance Summit Special resolutions on Syria and Egypt

1 September 2013

The summit is concerned about the escalating violence and military interventions in both Egypt and Syria.

The summit expresses the need for dialogue and negotiated solutions to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere.

We condemn any use of chemical weapons, particularly, against innocent civilians. Equally, we condemn retributive violence through military intervention which can only worsen the humanitarian situation. The summit expresses its condolences to the families of the victims who died as a result of chemical weapons and the violence in Egypt and Syria.

The summit condemned the military coup in Egypt and the decision of the US government to use military force against the suffering people of Syria.

Any military action not authorised by the UNSC will be a serious violation of both international law and the UN Charter.

We call on all parties in the Syrian conflict to pursue a negotiated solution to the conflict as proposed by the Russian Federation and the USA to hold a Geneva Two conference.

We call on the USA congress not to endorse the proposal of the USA President to wage war on the people of Syria. In the same spirit we also call on the Americans and progressive people in the world to mobilise against the intended attack on Syria.

The summit also expresses its full support for the presence of South African soldiers in the DRC who constitute part of the UN MONUSCO deployment.

The alliance remains available to engage in any dialogue towards peaceful resolutions to both the Egyptian and Syrian questions.

Issued by:

African National Congress
South African Communist Party
Congress of South African Trade Unions
South African National Civics Organisation