Date: 19/09/2002
Source: The Presidency
Title: Mbeki: Answers to questions in the National Assembly


PRESIDENT MBEKI'S RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, 19 September 2002

QUESTION NUMBER 1

Mr M F Cassim (IFP) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) Whether, in view of the establishment of the African Union, a programme is now being developed that will ensure that peace-keeping forces come into existence to deal with conflicts on the continent; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,

(2) Whether any delays are being experienced in developing and adopting such programme; if so, what are the relevant details?:

REPLY:

(1) One of the immediate challenges of the African Union (AU) is the task of promoting peace, security and stability on the African continent. As Honourable Members would know, the Organisation of African Unity used the Mechanism on Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution to deal with conflict situations. But at the launch of the AU it was felt that a more effective instrument was required to meet this challenge. Accordingly, the Durban Summit adopted the new Protocol on the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the continent.

Article 13 of the Protocol makes provision for an 'African Standby Force' that will be ready for deployment in peace support missions and interventions to meet the requirements of Articles 4(h) and (j) of the Constitutive Act. The Standby Force will consist of multidisciplinary civilian and military contingents in countries of origin that will be ready for rapid deployment whenever necessary.

In carrying out this responsibility, the PSC will be supported by The Commission of the African Union, a Panel of the Wise, which shall be composed of five highly respected African Personalities from various segments of society who have made an outstanding contribution to the cause of peace, security and development on the continent, and a Continental Early Warning System. A Special Fund will be created for this purpose.

(2) Member states are in the process of ratifying the Protocol. Once it has been ratified by a simple majority of member states of the African Union, it will come into force and the Peace and Security Council can be operationalised. So far no delays are being experienced. South Africa is also in the process of ratifying the Protocol.

Pending the entry into force of the Protocol after a sufficient number of member states have ratified it, the Cairo Declaration on the Establishment of a Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution shall remain in force.

QUESTION NUMBER 2

Ms L Mabe (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic:

Whether in light of the fact that the combined GDP of the European Union is poised to become greater than that of the United States of America, the consolidation of the European Union will have any adverse consequences for South Africa and the African Union; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?:

REPLY:

The enlargement of the EU is not expected to have negative consequences for South Africa or for the African continent. On the contrary, it could serve to strengthen the existing multi-faceted partnership the EU has with South Africa on the one hand, and Africa and the EU on the other, as the New Members of the EU subscribe to the commitments of these partnerships.

Upon completion of the enlargement process the population of the European Union will exceed 400 million and its combined GDP will, based on 1999 figures, be almost 10 trillion US dollars.

Our assertion that our trade relationship with the EU will not be adversely affected is based, amongst other things, on the Trade and Development Co-operation agreement we have with the EU. The key components of this agreement provide for mechanisms to increase exports from South Africa to the EU; to encourage investment from the EU to our country, and to assist us in capacity building. For instance, since we signed this Agreement with the EU, South African exports to the EU have increased. For example, exports in the year 2001 and the first six months of 2002 have grown by 24.4% whilst imports have grown by 28.3%.

A further advantage to South Africa and the rest of the continent is that the New Membership of the EU will become party to existing Agreements. There is thus vast potential for a further increase in trade.

Today Europe accounts for 37.3% of total South African exports, whilst imports are 42%. This means that the EU is our main trading partner.

Although our trade balance with the EU is negative, we are of the view that in the long term South Africa will benefit due to agreements we have signed with the EU.

The details for our trade relations with the USA are also very informative.

For instance, during the early 1990s up to recently, we have witnessed a burgeoning relationship between South Africa and the USA. This is due partly to the integration of South Africa into the global economy. For instance, in the year 2001 and the first six months of 2002, we observed a growth of 9.9% whilst imports during the same period grew by 17.9%. We expect that in the years to come these numbers will rise precisely because of the agreements we have signed with the USA.

Accordingly, we have reason to believe that engagements with these two huge economies will open up better opportunities for South Africa and the continent as a whole. As a result we do not see any adverse effects of such trade agreements or relations.

Although the African Union does not have a formal trade agreement with the EU at this stage, other institutions or bodies like the ACP whose membership includes some African countries currently enjoy certain trade benefits. An example is duty free exports of goods from the least developed countries to Europe. As Honourable Members would know, the majority of these countries are on the African continent. There is also the preferential trade agreement with the EU, which involves certain specific goods (e.g. sugar and rice).

The EU has also committed itself to support African countries financially and in terms of capacity building and infrastructure development. There is also the trade agreement that the EU has with north sub-Saharan Africa.

Finally, the EU strongly supports NEPAD and the African Union. The envisaged EU-Africa Summit scheduled for 2003 is expected to strengthen Africa's relationship with Europe beyond the Cairo Summit.

Regarding development assistance, the EU has committed approximately 1 billion euro to South Africa since 1995. The year 2000 saw the entry into force of a new Legal Base for development co-operation with South Africa (Regulation EC No 1726/2000 of 29 June 2000). This Regulation lays down the areas of co-operation with South Africa, modalities of implementation, and sets a financial framework of 885.5 million for the seven-year period, 2000 - 2006. Of this 885.5 million euro, a balance of approximately 525.5 million euros will be programmed in the 2003-2006 period. The 2002 allocation for the commitment is 123.54 million euro.

QUESTION NUMBER 3

Dr B L Geldenhuys (New NP) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) (a) How many African Union member states have (a) adopted the NEPAD Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance and (b) acceded to the African Peer Review Mechanism;

(2) Whether AU member states who have not adopted the NEPAD Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance and who have not acceded to the African Peer Review Mechanism will still be subjected to peer review; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?:

REPLY:

(1) In its Declaration on the Implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (ASS/AU/Decl.1), the African Union Summit in Durban noted the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance and the document on the African Peer Review Mechanism. The Durban Summit encouraged all member states of the African Union to adopt the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance as well as to accede to the African Peer Review Mechanism.

The NEPAD Steering Committee and Secretariat are in the process of developing indicators and benchmarks to be included with the standards and codes specified in the Declaration. The Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance and the African Peer Review Mechanism are aimed at enhancing African ownership of its development agenda, through a system of self-assessment that ensures that policies of African countries are based on best current knowledge and practices.

Only upon completion and integration of the indicators and benchmarks into the Declaration will it be considered by the NEPAD Heads of State Implementation Committee, after which it will be opened for signature by member states. A time frame of approximately six months is envisaged. The process applies to the accession of member states to both the Declaration and the African Peer Review Mechanism.

Accordingly, no member state of the AU has as yet adopted the NEPAD Declaration or the African Peer Review Mechanism.

(2) Once the above processes have been completed the situation regarding member states not adopting the NEPAD Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance and/or acceding to the African Peer Review Mechanism will be clarified.

QUESTION NUMBER 4

Gen B H Holomisa (UDM) to ask the President of the Republic:

Whether, following the World Summit on Sustainable Development, he will consider the establishment of a national council on sustainable development to ensure that the concept of sustainable development moves beyond resolutions and is actually implemented through a forum that represents all sectors of society and gives them an opportunity to express their developmental needs directly; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?:

REPLY:

The Johannesburg World Summit constituted an intense and unprecedented global focus on the eradication of poverty, the need to narrow the gulf between the rich and the poor what we called global apartheid and the challenge to do this in a sustainable way. The Summit did so by giving adequate focus to all these three pillars of sustainable development and economic prosperity. Accordingly, the concept of sustainable development has been brought back on track after many years.

The World Summit was unique for more reasons than that it was the biggest UN summit ever held. It was the first major multilateral conference to dedicate itself to implementation, action - making it happen. We are pleased that a detailed implementation plan has been adopted and that hundreds of partnership projects worth billions of dollars were announced.

The Summit endorsed the clear link between democratic global governance, good governance at a national level and human rights, including the rights of women, and sustainable development.

As a host country the successful outcome of the Johannesburg World Summit places a special responsibility on us to be - in our own habits and practices - among the global leaders in sustainable development.

Just as South Africa provided the leadership required of it at the Summit and just as South Africans hosted with widely acclaimed success the biggest-ever multilateral event, so too must South Africa serve as a shining example in putting into action the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.

Government is developing a detailed response to the Johannesburg decisions.

It has already been decided that all departments will integrate the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation into their own work. Sustainable development cannot be seen as an "add-on" extra, something for limited action. It is an organic part of what we do. It is a vast cross-cutting issue. It is decidedly not the responsibility of one organ of state. If it is to be sustainable, it must be part and parcel of our whole system of integrated governance. But it goes beyond this. It is not only a matter of state. It is the personal responsibility - and the privilege - of all who live in South Africa to see that the objectives of Johannesburg 2002 are achieved. At all levels, our society must conduct the battle - for instance in opting, where practicable, for pollution-free fuel, avoiding activities which impair the physical environment, ensuring that all our people are clothed, have shelter, are healthy, well-nourished and free in body and spirit. We must ensure that all our people are educated in the disciplines of economy and balance. The task of achieving this, and the myriad other objectives envisaged by the WSSD, rest heavily on all our shoulders. That means you and me.

QUESTION NUMBER 5

Mr D J Sithole (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) Whether, with reference to the recent agreement between opposing forces in a number of African countries, the establishment of the African Union is having any positive effect on conflict resolution in Africa; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) What steps are envisaged by the African Union to enhance conflict resolution in Africa?

(3) Whether he will report on the successes achieved to date in this regard?:

REPLY:

(1) The inaugural Summit of the African Union was a momentous occasion of which the whole continent can be proud. It signalled the birth of a new, enhanced phase in African unity, solidarity and the renewal and development of the African continent. The decision to establish the African Union was taken less than three years ago and led to South Africa hosting the launch of the African Union in July this year.

The speed of the process, involving adoption of the Constitutive Act of the African Union and consensus by 53 member states, is remarkable testimony to the political will of the continent in this new century in creating a stable political environment in which to achieve optimum growth and prosperity. The process resulted in decisions regarding difficult issues, such as the right given to the AU to intervene in member states in respect of grave circumstances, war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

I believe that the recent success achieved regarding conflict resolution on the continent is another sign of the political will of leaders to renew the African continent with the promise of a better life for all its citizens.

(2) The first session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union adopted a Protocol on the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council (PSC). Its functions, amongst others, will include early warning and preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peace support mechanisms, intervention in member states in respect of grave circumstances and response to requests from member states to intervene in restoring peace and security.

An African Standby Force will be established and deployed for peace support missions and interventions pursuant to Articles 4(h) and (j) of the Constitutive Act, as stated earlier.

(3) The Protocol on the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council was adopted by the AU Assembly without any debate or amendments. Member states were called on to sign and ratify the Protocol so as to ensure its early implementation. Pending the ratification and entry into force of the Peace and Security Council, the Cairo Declaration on the OAU Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution shall remain valid. The Protocol will shortly be submitted to Parliament for ratification.

The adoption and implementation of the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance and accession to the African Peer Review Mechanism will also assist in creating sustainable conditions of peace and security on the continent.

QUESTION NUMBER 6

Rev K R J Meshoe (ACDP) to ask the President of the Republic:

Whether the support of Cosatu and other trade unions is indispensable to the success of NEPAD; if so, what action does the Government intend taking to ensure that all trade unions are involved; if not, who are the indispensable stakeholders in the future success of NEPAD?:

REPLY:

There is no doubt that the support and involvement of the trade union movement here in South Africa and throughout the continent is critical for the success of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). In fact, no African on the continent or in the diaspora or any sector or stakeholders of the African continent is dispensable.

The conceptual basis of the vision and programme of NEPAD is partnership: partnerships between all sectors of our societies; partnerships between African countries and regions and partnerships between Africa and other international partners who are committed to assisting Africa to fast-track its development. Accordingly, the impact of NEPAD will depend on the effectiveness and success of our partnerships.

Certainly the development of Africa cannot be a matter of governments alone; it will need social partners including labour to work together to find solutions for the problems and challenges that face our continent. It is important for the masses of our people fully to own the agenda of NEPAD as well as to be its drivers. For NEPAD to be sustainable in the long term it must be firmly rooted in all sectors of our societies.

In this regard, African Heads of State and Government committed themselves and their Governments at the OAU Summit in Lusaka (2001) and at the AU Summit in Durban, to mobilise their citizenry to participate fully in the further development and implementation of NEPAD.

As you would know, the Government of South Africa has ensured that the vision of the African Renaissance was a product of our broad based dialogue as part of the ANC election manifesto in the 1999 national elections, in this Parliament and within civil society through the ANC Alliance partners, the African Renaissance Institute (ARI) through its South African Chapter, the South African Chapter of the African Renaissance (SACAR) and other organs of our society. The Government has also interacted with the trade union movement, the business community, and the religious communities through the President's Working Groups and within Nedlac. As regards the labour movement, the President's Working Group involves the three main trade union federations - Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), National Congress of Trade Unions (Nactu) and Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa).

A presentation on NEPAD had been made to Nedlac by the Minister of Trade and Industry. Nedlac has also agreed to establish a task team to facilitate the implementation of NEPAD's programme.

On the continental level, the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) is institutionally an Agency of the OAU, and now the AU, and has been part of the discourse throughout the development of what came to be known as NEPAD. We had a further engagement with the OATUU and the African regional organisation of the International Confederation of Trade Unions in Durban prior to the AU Summit. Cosatu is a member of the OATUU.

In conclusion, I would like to restate that the success of NEPAD will largely depend on its capacity to mobilise the masses of our people in their various formations; including trade unions, employer organisations and other organs of civil society, to work together as agents of change in achieving the objectives of NEPAD. Accordingly, all stakeholders are indispensable to the success of NEPAD. All have a critical role to play in this process and in NEPAD programmes.

Issued by The Presidency
19 September 2002