Purpose of the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC)
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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO: 42 (NO1084E)
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 9-2014 OF 19 AUGUST 2014
MS DD RAPHUTI (ANC) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
(a) What is the purpose of the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC)
and
(b) how is the Government involved in making the ACIRC operational? NO1084E
REPLY:
(a) The African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC) is an African owned initiative for military intervention as and when the need arises, it is made up of Volunteering Nations, whose purpose is to rapidly respond to crisis situations on the African continent. It is an interim measure while the building blocks of the African Standby Force’s Rapid Deployment Capability, are being put together.
(b) South Africa is at the forefront of efforts aimed at ensuring that the ACIRC becomes a success and ultimately contributes to the eradication of conflicts in Africa. Hereunder is a summary of South Africa’s involvement in making the ACIRC operational:
i) South Africa has pledged to provide military personnel and equipment;
ii) On 5 November 2013, following the decision to operationalise the ACIRC, the South African Government hosted a Summit in Pretoria for Heads of State and Government to discuss and confirm pledges of the ACIRC participating and volunteering nations;
iii) The Heads of State and Government further instructed that a Technical Working Group be formed to consider and submit an implementation mechanism for approval. South Africa participated in the technical expert discussions. The Technical Working Group Report was submitted and accepted in July 2014 allowing for the volunteering nations to announce that ACIRC will be operational by October 2014 after pledges and contributions were agreed to; and
iv) Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans.
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