JOHANNESBURG, 18 September 2009 (IRIN) - A shift in emphasis by South African president Jacob Zuma's administration to give priority to domestic issues rather than foreign policy concerns could create cost constraints in fulfilling peace-keeping commitments on the continent.

"If the domestic priorities are poverty alleviation and job creation, how can the government avoid spending less on peace missions abroad to spend more on education, health and other social spending in South Africa?," asked Kathryn Sturman, acting head of the Governance of Africa's Resources Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs, in a research note.

Zuma's predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, put great emphasis on the country's commitment to the African Union (AU) and resolving conflicts in the continent. But unlike UN peacekeeping efforts, such as the United Nations Organization Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), where costs were reimbursed, South Africa's contributions to AU peacekeeping were in the main paid for by Pretoria, Sturman told IRIN.

"Developing a predictable and sustainable funding mechanism for African-led peace missions remains an important area for dialogue in the European Union-South Africa strategic partnership," she said.

"This would enable South Africa to continue the peacekeeping operations that are in the long-term interests of all Africans and South Africans alike. At the same time, it would free resources to be spent on our [South Africa's] own pressing domestic needs."

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