Angola: briefing

Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
13 August, 2003
ANGOLA: BRIEFING BY DEPARTMENT

Chairperson: Mr Z Jordan (ANC)

Documents Handed In:
Angola: Background Document
Profile of the Republic of Angola and its Relationship with South Africa

SUMMARY
The Department of Foreign Affairs briefed the Committee on relations with Angola. Kingsley Mamabolo, Deputy Director-General for Africa, expressed his happiness with the improving relations between the South Africa and Angola as well as his belief in the potential of Angola. Issues relevant to Angola such as peace efforts, aid requirements, under-utilisation of oil and upcoming elections of 2005 were focussed on. Political and economic concerns, and ways of reviving the infrastructure and resolving conflict were discussed.

MINUTES
The chairperson welcomed Kingsley Mamabolo and explained the purpose of the meeting. He mentioned that there was an Angolan delegation in South Africa. This delegation intended visiting Angolan communities in South Africa, who established themselves in South Africa as refugees, because of economic reasons, study purposes and as former members of the South African Defense Force. He expressed his hope that the committee would be informed in the future regarding this visit.

Relations between South Africa and Angola
Ambassador Mamabolo expressed his happiness with relations between South Africa and Angola. He mentioned that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Dlamini Zuma visited Luanda in November 2000, and that a Joint Commission of Cooperation had been established. He mentioned that relations are very good between Angola and South Africa.

Potential of Angola
The ambassador also expressed his belief in the potential of Angola, thanks to their rich supplies in natural resources, like oil and diamonds. Together with South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) it had the potential to enhance the development of the region. However, Angola's oil industry came to a standstill during the 25 years of war in the country. Its agriculture was similarly affected.

Efforts for peace and democracy
The ambassador mentioned that there are continued efforts to bring about peace in
Angola. The Angolan government established an "agenda for peace" on 13 March 2002. A Commission for Peace and Reconciliation has also been established, and had received a visit from vice-president Jacob Zuma in 2002.

The ambassador mentioned the large extent of humanitarian assistance that Angola requires. He provided the following figures:
4,5 million Angolans are internally displaced
There are 85 000 demobilising ex-combatants, plus 370 000 members of their families
There are 480 000 refugees in neighbouring states.
The United Nations (UN) has appealed for over US$ 400 million for the current year to relieve the humanitarian need.

The ambassador also mentioned that Angola's oil supplies were not utilised, since it serves foreign countries until 2011.

He mentioned that the government was heading to an election in 2005, and that Unita became a party that would participate in the democratic process. He also mentioned that there still were allegations of lack of transparency, largely from the IMF regarding revenues from oil, and the United States of America insists on transparency, and the expected assistance of the USA had not been forthcoming.

Future of South Africa and Angola
Mr Mamabolo mentioned the strengthening of diplomatic relations and cooperation between South Africa and Angola. He cited the Joint Commission of Cooperation, the signing of an agreements regarding visas and negotiations regarding trade, safety and security, minerals, telecommunication and the like. He felt that the region would prosper because of cooperation. He said that South Africa should assist in the de-mining process, since landmines were a very problematic issue in Angola.

Discussion
Mr Colin Eglin (DA) asked if there was any research under way regarding corruption, since some of the revenues from oil must come back to their national budget. Africa, Zimbabwe and Ghana had the greatest potential for growth. He regretted the fact that no real revenue from oil comes back to the people of Angola because it is being sold to the United States based on the contract that will end in 2011. He also said that there is a lot of corruption around oil and that 35%-40% of revenue is not accounted for. In addition he asked about any infrastructure provisions prepared by NEPAD on the project of the railway lines. He also inquired after Nepad's role in the improvement of infrastructure in Angola.

Mr Mamabolo answered that Nepad encouraged countries to submit proposals regarding infrastructure. He mentioned the Benguela railway project as an example. He ensured that something was being done about the situation, but also acknowledged frustration at the slow speed at which developments are taking place. Corruption was a huge problem. He mentioned that it was only speculations, but that these speculations could not be brushed aside as they come from a reliable source like the IMF. Government could only be encouraged to be transparent.

Dr B L Geldenhuys (NNP) asked if South Africa would buy oil from Angola after 2011. He also enquired if the organisation responsible for the fighting in Kabinda could be linked to Unita.

Regarding South Africa buying oil from Angola after 2011 Mr Mamabolo said that it is still to far in the future and therefore there were no plans like that at the moment, but that he would encourage a situation like that, since it would promote cooperation. He also mentioned that there was no link between the organisation responsible for the fighting in Kabinda and Unita.

Mr M Ramgobin (ANC) inquired after blood (relating to conflict) diamonds, and the fighting in Kabinda and the involvement of South African syndicates.

Mr Mamabolo explained that the question of blood diamonds continue to be a problem, since some countries lack proper control concerning the movement of diamonds. This also made it hard to say who was involved. He could not say for certain that diamonds were involved in the fighting, but he believed that it may be a factor. It was mentioned that the organisation responsible for the fighting in Kabinda had entered talks with the government regarding peace.

It was asked if the humanitarian aid to Angola was a once off event, or whether it will continue. The ambassador replied that, unfortunately it was only a once of event, but that there were negotiations regarding aid. Angola was not dependent on South Africa for aid, since there also are other donors.

Mr Makanda asked how the Angolan government could give the oil contracts to USA companies given Angola's strong anti-imperialist culture. To what extent had the military elite been retrenched how this affected democratization?

Mr Mamabolo replied that the Angolan government's decision to give the oil contracts to developed countries' corporations was not a matter of choice, but one of necessity for relief of the countries humanitarian problems. The offers from outside has been much better than those from the African continent. When developed countries provide aid, it was often on the provision that contracts would be given to their businesses. Regarding military elites Mr Mamabolo explained that it was a difficult situation, but that democratization was suppose to change that. He also mentioned that the rule of the military elite led to the democratization process. The ambassador was satisfied with the democratic process, and mentioned the international community and South Africa in this regard.

Mr Mokoena (ANC) asked if the contracts regarding the oil could be changed, since it was against the spirit of Nepad. Mr Mamabolo replied that it would be difficult to change and that Angola had to agree to contracts out of necessity, because relief was needed. He said that these contracts can only change when Angola's economy improved.

Mr Mokoena also asked why there are contracts on the oil, but not on the diamonds.

Mr Mamabolo answered that the oil was under the control of the government, but that the area where the diamonds are from is under the control of the rebels, and companies could not offer the rebels contracts, as this would tarnish their reputation.

Mr Mamabolo replied to questions regarding the conflict in Kabinda. The only way in which it would be resolved was through democracy and negotiations. It was easy to cause trouble in Angola, since it is a large country, and the population is quite dispersed, so it is easy for a group to claim that they were in control of a region.

Mr Mokoena mentioned that there were between two and nine million landmines in Angola. He asked what program there is to determine.

Mr Mamabolo answered that there are lots of people involved, including the private sector. He said the situation is being looked at, and that South Africa can provide expertise.

Dr Jordan asked about the political prospects of Angola. What were relations between the major political players and what outcomes were expected from the 2005 elections.

Mr Mamabolo replied that there still were a lot of hostilities. After the 2005 elections a Government of National Unity would be formed, as agreed by the current government and Unita. Both parties realized that they had to work together, and he expected cooperation.

Dr Jordan made the comment that a large amount of resources were not utilized in Angola and the DRC and that this was impacting on SADC. He also mentioned that infrastructure was lacking in both these countries. He said that there had been indications from South African business that contracts always went to the North (Europe, USA, and Britain). This means that proceeds leave the continent, while African businesses must take the more risky contracts.

Mr Ramgodin, asked why resources are taken out of Angola while it should be ploughed in. He also wanted to know who the beneficiaries are. He also mentioned that South Africa was leading the globe in anti-xenophobic movements. He asked why there was no regulation of immigrants and a holistic policy regarding AIDS and trans-boundary movements.

Mr Mamabolo replied that the situation was not going to resolved over night and that this situation had pushed Africa to be marginalized. He went on to stress the need for a comprehensive policy and that Nepad must be used. There must be a collective approach to AIDS, exploitation and coups. Nepad must have an agreement among all countries. This concerns were being dealt with.

Dr Jordan mentioned the importance of an economic program. He was concerned about the dependency on donor countries and their businesses. He used the example of the Zambian telephone system.

Mr Eglin (DA) said that Nepad addresses these issues, and that the South African government had input in the IMF and Worldbank, where these issues could be raised.

Dr Jordan concluded the meeting by saying that Angola is on South Africa's agenda. He said he hoped that the Department of Foreign Affairs would take up these issues at the IMF and the Worldbank. He mentioned that it was developed governments that responded to Nepad, and not businesses.

The meeting was adjourned.