1 February 2000
Mr President
Ms Deputy Secretary-General of United Nations
President Chiluba of Zambia
Your Excellencies
We have come to the end of an extraordinary month in the Security Council where various difficult issues of Africa were discussed, some for the very first time. My Government would like to thank the delegation of the United States for devoting a month of its Presidency of the Security Council to Africa. We may not have found lasting solutions to these issues, but we have indeed made some progress towards achieving lasting peace. It has been Africa’s privilege for several of our Presidents to appear before this August body.
Quite understandably, much of the attention has been focused on the few conflict areas in Africa, which threaten the lives and liberty and homes of so many of our people. The cost in blood and lost opportunities of the conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Burundi and Sierra Leone is already far too high. The DRC poses a serious challenge in that the causes of its conflict are multi-dimensional. The Lusaka Agreement tries to offer a comprehensive solution, but if one aspect of the Agreement is left out in its implementation we may never see lasting peace in the Congo.
I believe we have made steady progress on some of these issues and now look to the belligerents as well as the international community to help bring about lasting peace in these troubled areas.
Even in these difficult times, it is incumbent upon all of us to let our actions be guided by the realisation that there is an Africa, quite distinct from the bloody killing fields. An Africa where the seeds of democracy and tolerance have fallen on fertile ground, and are bearing fruit that is healthy and sweet.
The majority of Africans now live under systems of democratic governance, free to elect those to whom they entrust the responsibility of leadership and to determine their own future. A large number of African countries have in recent times conducted their successful democratic elections and others are preparing to do the same, thereby proving that democracy has put down deep and strong roots.
The people of Africa have become the torchbearers of a silent democratic revolution, they have cast their vote for a future of democracy and peace. Not only do we hold these noble values dear in their own right, we nurture them as the vital preconditions for a process of sustainable development and a prosperous future.
This is the dawn of the African Century in which we wish to accomplish much.
It is a cruel reality, however, that as Africa is gathering its strength and energy to pursue its rebirth, the scourge of HIV/AIDS has been unleashed with terrifying consequences on the continent and the entire world.
This is a health, social, economic and political challenge that threatens to decimate Africa. Unless the epidemic is stopped, the African Renewal may not flourish. Many African countries, including my own, have launched massive HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns with the limited resources available. Some of these have met with startling success, but in themselves will probably not be sufficient to turn the tide decisively.
The international community must stand shoulder to shoulder with Africa in the grim struggle against this disease, a disease that recognizes no boundary, be it geographic, political or economic.
The time has come for a strengthening of the relationship between Africa and the international community. It must be built on mutual co-operation and respect where the international community does not only involve itself in Africa in times of crisis, but engages on a long-term and sustainable basis in the development of Africa. We salute the initiatives already launched by some countries and organisations in this regard. However, much remains to be done.
A closer partnership has to be forged between Africa and the developed world in order to help build upon the positive trends which we are observing for the continent in the economic field. The African continent, however, needs sustainable development in the long term where everyone can enjoy a decent standard of living.
The Security Council in carrying out its mandate for the maintenance of peace and security around the world, can play a critical role in guaranteeing conditions for peace and stability which will allow for development to take hold. This remains an enormous challenge. I am, convinced, however, that the United Nations and its Agencies can play an even greater role in the upliftment of our Continent. We should thus all consider how this very influential global body could maximise its efforts to this end in the millennium that lies ahead of us. And I believe that this month of Africa in the Security Council has made a significant contribution towards achieving that goal.
I thank you.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
1 FEBRUARY 2000