African Union Agenda 2063: briefing by Deputy Minister & Department of International Relations & Cooperation

This premium content has been made freely available

International Relations

17 September 2014
Chairperson: Mr M Masango (ANC)
Share this page:

Meeting Summary

The recent tragedy involving the death of many South Africans in Nigeria was noted. The Deputy Minister suggested whether South African citizens should be encouraged to touch base with the SA consulate on arrival in a foreign country so that there is a record of one being in the country. He asked the Committee to think about the issue and perhaps members could come up with a solution. The Committee content advisor noted that DIRCO had an online registration process called the Registration of South Africans Abroad (ROSA) and perhaps popularising ROSA could form part of the oversight duty of the Committee.

The Deputy Minister introduced the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 which envisioned what type of Africa Africans would like to live in on the 100th anniversary of the AU in 2063. In 2013 the 50th Anniversary of the AU had been celebrated and member countries had signed a declaration on the way forward which covered eight key elements. The AU chairperson had called a meeting in Senegal with the aim of coming up with a concept document for a framework. Member states had to forward their respective national plans and should work towards Agenda 2063. A team of experts considered existing development plans like the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Lagos Action Plan and the Abuja Treaty. They realised that timeframes were not clear and continual evaluation was not built into these plans. The decision was taken that the AU Agenda 2063 should address the weaknesses of previous plans. The AU Agenda 2063 would have a ten-year review. Aspirations for the Africa that was wanted was identified based on the eight key elements identified as the way forward:

- A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
- An integrated continent, politically united, based on Pan Africanism and the vision of  Africa’s Renaissance
- An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law
- A peaceful and secure Africa
- An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics
- An Africa where development was people-driven, unleashing the potential of its women and youth
- Africa as a strong, united and influential global player and partner.

Each member state needed to engage in a national consultative processes to elicit inputs on the AU Agenda 2063 framework. DIRCO had engaged with youth, civil society groups, women, university academics and the business community. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation would present the AU Agenda 2063 to Parliament at a joint sitting. Member states were required to submit their inputs to the AU Commission by the 31 October 2014. All inputs emanating from the national consultative processes would be included in the concept document. In January 2015 the AU Chairperson in Addis Ababa would present the broader framework of the AU Agenda 2063 to member states.
 

The Chairperson said that the next 50 years of the AU’s existence should look at addressing weaknesses that had been identified in Africa such as a lack of infrastructure and a lack of intra-Africa trade. The Committee asked for a briefing on infrastructure sometime in the future and suggested that DIRCO broaden its spectrum of stakeholders from which inputs would be elicited. It felt that greater consultation was needed but unfortunately there were time and budgetary constraints. Members suggested who should be invited to the joint sitting of Parliament including the ex-President of Zambia Mr Kenneth Kaunda who had been a founder member of the AU and the current AU Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. A concern was voiced that some African countries were still married to their colonial past. Members asked what DIRCO thought the role of Parliament on the AU Agenda 2063 should be and asked about the budget for AU Agenda 2063. A suggestion made by a member was that the AU Agenda 2063 should speak more about African consciousness and Pan Africanism. 
 

Meeting report

The Chairperson opened the meeting by highlighting the tragedy that had taken place in Nigeria where four to five church groups from South Africans had travelled to the Church of All Nations in Nigeria. The SA government had extended condolences to the family of the 67 South Africans as well as other persons that had been killed. The bodies of the South Africans who had died would be flown back to SA. The Chairperson noted that a motion would most probably be brought in the House over the tragedy.

Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers stated that he had discussed the tragedy with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and whether South African citizens should touch base with the SA consulate on arrival in a foreign country so that there is a record of one being in the country. At present there was no compulsion to touch base with South African embassies or consul offices abroad. He made it clear that he was not suggesting that it be made compulsory but he asked the Committee to think about the issue and perhaps members could come up with a solution.

Ms M Moonsamy (EFF) asked for clarity on the information-gathering process. Was sufficient work done to communicate information on these types of incidents?

Ms T Kenye (ANC) asked whether investigations were taking place in Nigeria to determine whether the tragedy was an accident or whether it was deliberate and perhaps the work of Boko Haram.

Mr B Radebe (ANC) felt it a good thing that SA citizens should touch base with SA consulates in foreign countries when they arrived abroad. He suggested that the Committee think about making it compulsory in case another tragedy happened. In this instance persons had gone abroad for peaceful purposes but other times persons went abroad to get involved in conflicts in the countries they visited. The Committee should send its condolences to the families of the 67 South African victims. The South African government should urge the Nigerian government to get to the bottom of the tragedy.

Ms S Kalyan (DA) noted the point made by Minister Landers involved two departments. Both DIRCO and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) were affected. The DHA stamped passports and dealt with visas. It would be a good idea for people to clock in at SA missions but the issue was also whether the missions had the capacity to cope with that. A factor that needed to be considered too was where SA missions were located. It would have been ideal to have missions located at airports to make it convenient for South Africans to clock in.

The Chairperson asked the Committee Content Adviser Ms Dineo Mosala to comment on the suggestion.

Ms Mosala responded that the DIRCO did have a mechanism for the registration of South Africans at SA embassies. The challenge was that the mandate of DIRCO lay beyond SA’s borders. It was felt that the DIRCO and DHA should cooperate on the matter. The DIRCO had an online registration process called the Registration of South Africans Abroad (ROSA). She said that one needed to popularise ROSA. It could perhaps form part of the oversight duty of the Committee to popularise ROSA.

The Chairperson asked where ROSA’s offices were and who were the contact persons.

Deputy Minister Landers responded that ROSA could be accessed via the DIRCO website. He conceded that there were challenges for the public diplomacy division of DIRCO to be able popularise ROSA. Perhaps a change of approach was needed. DIRCO only accessed the information contained on ROSA in times of emergencies. He agreed with Ms Kalyan that capacity and resources were issues that needed to be considered. Collaboration between the DHA and DIRCO was needed.

The Chairperson concluded the issue by stating that it was best for the Nigerian government to investigate the matter as to how the church building had collapsed.

Department of International Relations and Cooperation briefing on African Union (AU) Agenda 2063
The Chairperson noted that the Minister had requested that a presentation on the African Union Agenda 2063 be done to a joint sitting of the House. The scheduled date had been 19 September 2014 but it had subsequently been moved to October 2014. It was felt that DIRCO had to brief the Committee before that date so that members were informed on the issue. He noted that the DIRCO information package had reached members late. All documentation from DIRCO should reach members at least a day before the briefing. 

Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers apologised to members for the lateness of the documents received and assured members that it would not happen again. He noted that the AU Agenda 63 covered what type of Africa Africans would like to live in 2063. In 2013 the 50th Anniversary of the AU had been celebrated. In 2063 the AU would be 100 years in existence. He stated that engagement with youth, civil society groups, women, university academics and the business community had taken place to elicit inputs on AU Agenda 2063.

Mr Sandile Schalk, DIRCO Director of the African Union Directorate, continued the briefing, saying that the AU Agenda 2063 had come about from a meeting of African heads of State in Addis Ababa that had celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the African Union. The meeting considered the achievements that had been made in the past 50 years. The countries signed a declaration on the way forward which covered eight key elements ie African identity and renaissance, the struggle against colonialism and the right to self determination of people still under colonial rule, an integration agenda, an agenda for social and economic development, peace and security, democratic governance, determining Africa’s destiny and lastly Africa’s place in the world. The heads of state had asked the African Union Commission to work on a plan for Africa 2063. The AU chairperson had called a meeting in Senegal with the aim of coming up with a concept document for its framework. Member states had to forward their respective national plans and should work towards Agenda 2063. A team of experts considered existing development plans like the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Lagos Action Plan and the Abuja Treaty. They realised that timeframes were not clear and continual evaluation was not built into these plans. The decision was taken that the AU Agenda 2063 should address the weaknesses of previous plans. Aspirations for the Africa that was wanted was identified based on the eight key elements identified as the way forward:

- A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
- An integrated continent, politically united, based on Pan Africanism and the vision of  Africa’s Renaissance
- An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law
- A peaceful and secure Africa
- An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics
- An Africa where development was people-driven, unleashing the potential of its women and youth
- Africa as a strong, united and influential global player and partner.

The AU Commission had to look at the aspirations identified and take into account the inputs made by member states. The current state of affairs was that the AU Commission had not been able to put together a conceptual document as member states had not engaged their citizens yet. However member states were required to submit their inputs to the AU Commission by the 31 October 2014 and SA was also working towards that date. Member states had to solicit inputs from citizens and stakeholders. DIRCO was presently working on a consultative forum. It had met with youth across the provinces to discuss the AU Agenda 2063. Discussions with university academics had also taken place recently. DIRCO had identified key areas, which it wished to have in  document. The day prior to the present meeting, DIRCO had consulted with women’s’ organisations. The business community was next on DIRCO’s agenda to discuss the AU Agenda 2063. There were many South African businesses operating in the rest of Africa. DIRCO was also engaging with the Department of Arts and Culture on Heritage Day which should have a clear focus on the AU Agenda 2063.

The Minister would present the AU Agenda 2063 to Parliament at a joint sitting. All inputs emanating from the national consultative processes would be included. In January 2015, the AU Chairperson in Addis Ababa would present the broader framework of the AU Agenda 2063 to member states. The AU Agenda 2063 would also have a ten-year review built into it.

The Chairperson noted that the AU, in looking at what it had achieved in the past 50 years, was also looking at  what it intended to achieve in the next 50 years. In 1963 the AU assisted with the decolonisation and liberation of African states under colonial rule. The process was more or less concluded in 1994 with the exception of a few African states that remained under colonial rule such as the Western Sahara. In 2013 some of the weaknesses identified in Africa were a lack of infrastructure development and intra-African trade. In the next 50 years these weaknesses would be addressed. Infrastructure like roads, water and electricity would be provided. 

Discussion
Mr B Radebe (ANC) welcomed the AU Agenda 2063. He however asked what about consultations with workers’ organisations, faith based organisations and even the judiciary on human rights issues. He noted that one of the founding members of the AU ex-President of Zambia Mr Kenneth Kaunda was still around and should be invited as a guest to the joint sitting. Ex-presidents of SA, Mr Thabo Mbeki, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe and Mr FW De Klerk should also be invited to the joint sitting.

Deputy Minister Landers agreed that the process needed to be inclusive. He agreed that the four men should be invited to the joint sitting.

Mr M Maila (ANC) said that the aspiration of having an integrated Africa was welcomed but the problem was that African countries tend to be married to their colonial past. It defeated the idea of a united Africa. Africa was divided in terms of Francophone, Anglophone countries etc.

Deputy Minister Landers agreed that there were Francophone and Anglophone countries but Africa needed to show a united front.

Mr Schalk noted that there were African countries that had EVEN received instructions from their old colonial masters across the oceans as to whom they should vote for as Chairperson of the AU. 

Ms T Kenye (ANC) said that Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as AU Chairperson should also be invited to the joint sitting in Parliament. If the 31 October 2014 was the cut off date for submission of inputs was there enough time to do outreach? She noted that the Council of Churches and traditional leaders should be part of the input process.

Deputy Minister Landers agreed that Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as Chairperson of the AU should be invited to the joint sitting.

Ms D Raphuti (ANC) said that the AU Agenda 2063 looked like an Africa Development Plan and it should be popularised to stakeholders in members’ communities.

Ms S Kalyan asked what the role of parliamentarians was for the AU Agenda 2063. Yes, DIRCO was engaging with focus groups but if parliamentarians did not play a role it would not get far. She asked how the AU Agenda 2063 was linked with the Africa Peer Review Mechanism and the Post 2015 Development Agenda. What budget had been allocated to AU Agenda 2063 and from where did the funding come?

On the issue of resources, Deputy Minister Landers said that DIRCO did not have an unlimited budget. He noted that Parliament should decide itself what its role should be on the AU Agenda 2063. 
 
Mr Schalk said that the African Peer Review Mechanism was part of NEPAD. It was an African mechanism and was part and parcel of the AU Agenda 2063. The AU Agenda 2063 took into account the Post 2015 Development Agenda. It referred to a common African position that was to be taken. He noted that R1.2m of DIRCO’s Africa Bilateral Budget had been used. Africa should fund the AU Agenda 2063 itself. 

Ms Moonsamy noted that members had received documentation on the AU Agenda 2063 a while back but had not received a presentation document. The information in the presentation was not a true reflection of the state of affairs. What was the extent of the consultations done? The AU Agenda 2063 was an opportunity for Africa and it should not be missed. She felt that consultations with the youth were critical. To what extent were consultation with the youth kept constant? She felt that there was some reservation in regards to the youth. She further felt that the reservation was political. On the aspiration dealing with culture, there needed to be a deeper understanding of what Pan Africanism was. More needed to be said about colonial issues. There was a need to create a sense of consciousness. She asked what is Africa’s stance on resolutions that are not implemented by countries outside of Africa. The aspiration of having peace and security in Africa needed to cover child soldiers as well. She felt that the documents circulated to members should have spoken more about the sovereignty of Africa. There should be a proposal on an integrated African economy. Issues such as how Africa was to free itself from debt should be addressed. What was the political stance of the AU Agenda 2063? She was pleased to hear that an African passport was perhaps on the books.

Deputy Minister Landers noted that Ms Moonsamy was perhaps correct that the consultations with youth were probably not adequate. He agreed that an integrated continental economy was a challenge for Africa. All Africans present company included should not be afraid to do introspection. One needed to be cold, clinical and brutally honest. For example the situation in Swaziland was by no means democratic. Lesotho was another case in point.

Mr Schalk referred to the concept of an African passport and said that there were other elements built into it like the the possible scrapping of visas. Communication and linkages between systems were needed as security considerations had to be taken into account.

The Chairperson noted that the AU Agenda 2063 was still a consultative document at this stage. He urged Ms Moonsamy to make inputs on the AU Agenda 2063 on the issues that she had raised. Regarding divisions amongst African states on the basis of being Anglophone or Francophone, were merely artificial. The former colonial powers did not let go so easily. A problem amongst African states was that there was not one common language. It was difficult to have peace in Africa because there were persons peddling violence in Africa all the time. Soon after Mozambique gained independence, rebel groups emerged. The same scenario emerged with Angola. He noted that the US placed Americans first and then considered the rest of the world. This is the way Africans must see themselves. Africans first and then the rest of the world. He also pointed out that not much had been said about infrastructure and how the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other regions were to be assisted. The Committee needed a briefing on infrastructure and how to better understand the north-south corridor. He agreed that Mr Kenneth Kaunda should be invited to the joint sitting in Parliament. He was part of Africa’s patriarchy and was a founder member of the AU. Ex-presidents Mbeki, Motlanthe and De Klerk should also be invited. Faith based organisations, traditional leaders and other groups should be invited to make inputs. Referring to Ms Kalyan’s question as to what the role of parliamentarians should be, he noted that parliamentarians should speak as one. He suggested that teachers’ organisations and school governing bodies could also be consulted. How was the African Diaspora going to be consulted? There were Africans all over the world. They would bring other experiences to the table. As Africa rises it should rise intellectually. At the United Nations and at the G7, Africa should be able to argue its own case.

Deputy Minister Landers said that it was up to the programming committee of Parliament and Parliament itself to decide what was to happen at the joint sitting. If DIRCO was invited it would make an input. DIRCO needed sufficient time to prepare a briefing on infrastructure as it would be comprehensive. There were Gulf States like Oman and the United Arab Emirates that had invested heavily in infrastructure in West Africa. The AU Agenda 2063 was still in its conceptual stage and it also depended on what inputs would be received.     

The Chairperson asked whether AU member states had requested their national legislatures to say something in relation to AU Agenda 2063. What was Parliament expected to do on the day of the joint sitting? Would Parliament have to adopt the AU Agenda 2063?

Deputy Minister Landers stated that DIRCO was not asking Parliament to rubber stamp the AU Agenda 2063. DIRCO wished Parliament to make an input on AU Agenda 2063. Parliaments from AU member states would be expected to do the same. The joint debate should not be a symbolic gesture.

Mr Schalk said that once the AU Agenda 2063 was agreed to, it had to be domesticated at country level and in Africa. He said that the comments made by members were noted.

The Chairperson asked members to think about the joint sitting. He encouraged members to go on radio stations to communicate the message in various languages. Radio was the best communication medium in SA as it reached 93% of the population. He suggested that the President of the Pan African Parliament who was based in Midrand should also be invited to the joint sitting.

Mr Radebe reminded members that President Zuma should be invited to the joint sitting. The Committee needed to raise the topic of the joint sitting with the Speaker’s Office and presiding officers of Parliament.

Mr L Mpumlwana (ANC) suggested that SADC heads of state also be invited to the joint sitting.

Mr Radebe cautioned that SA must not be seen as big brother by AU members. The budget of R1.2m was minimal and more funds needed to be requested. Things should be handled in an internal manner.

The Chairperson said that the Committee should also do its part in relation to outreach in the provinces. Members could form groups of three or four and each team could cover a certain area.

Committee Minutes
Committee Minutes dated 9 and 30 July 2014 were adopted.

The meeting was adjourned.

Documents

No related documents

Present

  • We don't have attendance info for this committee meeting

Download as PDF

You can download this page as a PDF using your browser's print functionality. Click on the "Print" button below and select the "PDF" option under destinations/printers.

See detailed instructions for your browser here.

Share this page: