South Africa's Policy on the Syria
Policy Proposal on the Syrian Crisis | Political Science | Christelle Pretorius | |
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Introduction 2 Nature of ties between South Africa and Syria 2 South Africa and the Wider Middle East Region 2 Problem Statement 3 Objectives 3 Options 4 Sanctions 4 Military Intervention 5 Support the Actions of the Arab League of Nations 5 Analysis of Options 5 Sanctions 5 Military Intervention 6 Support the Actions of the Arab League of Nations 6 Recommendation 7 Conclusion 7 Bibliography 9
Introduction
The wave of Arab unrest that began during the Tunisian Revolution reached Syria in Mid March 2011. Currently, the political, socio-economic and humanitarian situation in Syria has escalated to the "verge of civil war". Thousands of soldiers have defected and launched attacks against the Syrian government with President Bashar al-Assad responding with extreme degrees of violence. It has been estimated that more than 5 400 Syrians have been killed since the protests have begun, thousands are missing, 25 000 refugees have fled into neighboring countries and 70 000 Syrians have been internally displaced. The United Nations have described the events as "gross human rights violations" and as the situation continues to deteriorate, international powers can no longer remain inactive.
Nature of ties between South Africa and Syria
South Africa 's relations with Syria have never been of primary importance; however foreign diplomatic relations between the two states have existed since 1994. Prior to this, Syria supported South Africa 's struggle for freedom. However, the trading of lethal weapons with Syria did place emphasis on the relations as it created numerous jobs within South Africa and became a valuable source of Foreign Exchange. After former President Kathlego Mothlanthle 's visit to Syria in 2010, his cabinet minister, Masebe reported that "South Africa and Syria will explore cooperation in the areas of education,
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Introduction 2 Nature of ties between South Africa and Syria 2 South Africa and the Wider Middle East Region 2 Problem Statement 3 Objectives 3 Options 4 Sanctions 4 Military Intervention 5 Support the Actions of the Arab League of Nations 5 Analysis of Options 5 Sanctions 5 Military Intervention 6 Support the Actions of the Arab League of Nations 6 Recommendation 7 Conclusion 7 Bibliography 9
Introduction
The wave of Arab unrest that began during the Tunisian Revolution reached Syria in Mid March 2011. Currently, the political, socio-economic and humanitarian situation in Syria has escalated to the "verge of civil war". Thousands of soldiers have defected and launched attacks against the Syrian government with President Bashar al-Assad responding with extreme degrees of violence. It has been estimated that more than 5 400 Syrians have been killed since the protests have begun, thousands are missing, 25 000 refugees have fled into neighboring countries and 70 000 Syrians have been internally displaced. The United Nations have described the events as "gross human rights violations" and as the situation continues to deteriorate, international powers can no longer remain inactive.
Nature of ties between South Africa and Syria
South Africa 's relations with Syria have never been of primary importance; however foreign diplomatic relations between the two states have existed since 1994. Prior to this, Syria supported South Africa 's struggle for freedom. However, the trading of lethal weapons with Syria did place emphasis on the relations as it created numerous jobs within South Africa and became a valuable source of Foreign Exchange. After former President Kathlego Mothlanthle 's visit to Syria in 2010, his cabinet minister, Masebe reported that "South Africa and Syria will explore cooperation in the areas of education,
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