Burundi, Sudan, Côte D’ivoire and Congo (DRC): Department briefing

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International Relations

01 June 2005
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Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
1 June 2005
BURUNDI, SUDAN, CÔTE D’IVOIRE AND CONGO (DRC): DEPARTMENT BRIEFING

Acting Chairperson:
Ms A Njobe (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Deputy Minister’s briefing document

SUMMARY:
This meeting followed on the Committee’s request for an update of progress on Department of Foreign Affairs activities in Burundi, Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Minister had previously addressed the Committee in detail on the involvement of South Africa in those countries.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms S van der Merwe stated that South Africa’s foreign policy was firmly anchored in an African agenda towards pushing back the frontiers of underdevelopment on the continent. She provided background on the situation in Burundi and discussed progress that had been made towards the elections, the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration (DDR) and the Security Sector Reform (SSR). With respect to Côte d’Ivoire, the Deputy Minister focused on the Pretoria Agreement and progress towards the elections. Discussing the DRC, she described the DRC Roadmap, the political outlook and offered an extensive explanation of South Africa’s assistance to the DRC through multilateral participation in the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) and through the government to government SA-DRC Binational Commission (BNC). The discussion on Sudan focused on South Africa’s assistance to the Military Observer Mission to the AU Mission to Darfur, the challenges of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the objectives of the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Committee.

Following the presentation, the Committee questioned whether any lessons had been learntd from the SA peace efforts in Africa. Members expressed concern about post-conflict reconstruction in Sudan, how the relationship with France had been affected by South Africa’s involvement in the conflict countries, the ethical practices of South African companies trading in the conflict regions and the overall perception of South Africa on the continent.

MINUTES:
The Department of Foreign Affairs was led by Deputy Minister Susan van der Merwe, accompanied by Director-General, Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba and Ms Jojozi, Parliamentary Liaison Officer.

BURUNDI
South Africa had contributed substantially to the Burundi Peace Process. Stability had been achieved in 95% of the country through the United Nations Operations in Burundi (ONUB) (previously African Peace Mission in Burundi) in which the SANDF had contributed 1 297 troops which included 376 VIP Protectors to the Africa Union Protection Force (AUPF). Due to the delayed elections, the term of office of the Transitional Government had been extended in Kampala, 22 April 2005. At the same summit meeting, the electoral calendar had been approved. The referendum for a Transitional Constitution was successfully held in February culminating in the endorsement of the new power-sharing Constitution. South Africa continued to be involved in this process through the provision of logistical support to the Burundi Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). R10 million was also provided from the African Renaissance Fund for the South African Observer Mission for the legislative elections scheduled for 4 July 2005. Progress had also been made (including vocational training for demobilising combatants) regarding the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR), though the appointment of army, police and intelligence officers (CNDD-FDD) remained an outstanding issue. Of specific importance to the Department of Foreign Affairs was the formulisation of a post conflict reconstruction strategy. It would therefore be necessary to have identified suitable projects that would promote peace, stability and development.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE
On 28 March, Deputy Minister Pahad had briefed the United Nations Security Council on progress of the AU mediation in Côte d’Ivoire. He had confirmed that the Road Map had set the way forward and that the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra III agreements were the framework for a solution to the conflict. The Pretoria Agreement (3 April 2005) resulted in parties reaffirming their commitment to these agreements, the AU mediation Road Map, presidential elections in October 2005, the UN resolutions on Côte d’Ivoire and the creation of a climate conducive to lasting peace. The Pretoria Agreement was signed at the meeting at which President Mbeki hosted President Gbagbo, Prime Minister Diarra, opposition leaders Mr Ouattara (RDR leader and former Prime Minister), Mr Konan Bedié (PDCI and former Ivorian President ousted in a military coup d’etat) and Mr Soro (Forces Nouvelles).

Following the signing of the Pretoria Agreement, consultations were held by the signatories with their respective communities, MPs and the military in Côte d’Ivoire to promote the Pretoria Agreement and the acceptance of the eligibility of Presidential candidates presented by political parties. Towards implementing the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration (DDR) process, a meeting was held in Boauke (14 -16 April 2005) and it was agreed that the process would officially commence at the end of June 2005 running until 10 August 2005. The DDR process has been supported by the SANDF and it would be involved in provision of training for 120 Ivorian close protectors for the New Forces.

The conflict in the Côte d’Ivoire potentially posed a regional crisis as the devastating consequences of the conflict would spread into Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso towards Liberia due to the large immigrant population that lived in the country. The UN Special Representative had recommended that the UN force (UNOCI) should be increased by 2000 members and that the mandate of the force should be extended. The Deputy Minister reported that an alliance of opposition parties was formed in Paris through which the parties agreed that following the first round of voting in the elections, candidates would withdraw from the race in favour of the opposition candidate with the majority vote amongst the opposition. Tremendous efforts were underway to ensure peace in the country and the Pretoria Agreement had served to boost the process.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
The Deputy Minister explained that logistical constraints and delays in passing the requisite electoral legislation caused delays in the organisation of elections. Outstanding legislation would need to be passed expeditiously and funds ($285 million) were urgently needed to ensure the upcoming elections took place. Elections had originally been scheduled for June 2005. South African government departments have been supporting their DRC counterparts in election preparation (IEC), voter identification (Department of Home Affairs), police training (SAPS), institutional capacity building (DPLG), public service audit and anti-corruption (DPSA) and integration of the armed forces (SANDF) to ensure successful elections.

The Deputy Minister emphasised that the SA-DRC Binational commission (BNC) (established in January 2004) had strengthened the commitment of South Africa to peace and post-conflict development in the DRC which would involve politics and governance, defence and security, humanitarian and social affairs, finance, economy and infrastructure. The SA-DRC BNC meeting held on 29 April 2005 in Pretoria confirmed that elections would not be held in June 2005 and that bilateral economic relations would be developed. With respect to the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration (DDR), South Africa had contributed a minimum of 3 400 personnel to the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) which had contributed strongly to 9 012 fighters laying down arms. 12 000 militia have entered the DDR process and a sizeable number have handed in arms and have opted for reintegration into communities rather than military integration.

As part of the SADC initiative, South Africa was working with the DRC and Belgian governments to create a new Congolese army. The delay of elections had resulted in rising tensions with the Movement for the Liberation of Congo led by Mr Bemba having threatened to withdraw from the Transitional Government. President Mbeki led key role-players during his visit to the DRC (15 -16 May 2005) and discussed the importance of elections, integration of the armed forces and post-election arrangements. Continued support by the South African government was essential to sustain the process. R25 million had been allocated through the African Renaissance Fund to initiate South African support mainly to SA departments and agencies set up in the DRC.

SUDAN
South Africa had deployed 39 military observers to the AU mission to Darfur, in addition to 101 civilian police members, 241 protection forces and 350 armed military personnel to assist with the resolution of the conflict in the Darfur region. More troops would be deployed. South Africa currently held the chair of the AU Sudan Post-Conflict Reconstruction Committee that would promote the role of NEPAD as a useful tool for reconstruction. Deputy Minister Pahad with a delegation of senior South African government officials in 5 February 2005 launched the DFA-SPLM/A-UNISA Capacity and Institution Building Project for South Sudan. Further training took place when an SPLM delegation was placed in various South African departments as part of an experimental work programme and capacity building. However, the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) (signed between the Government of Sudan and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement, SPLM) was not on schedule and the Interim Constitution had not been concluded. The security situation in Darfur continued to be volatile as attacks against civilians by militia and rebels continued and there had been increases in the level of tribal violence. This included violence in internally displaced people’s camps. The Deputy Minister concluded that the challenges in Sudan continued.

Discussion
Ms Molubatse-Hounkpatin (ANC) observed that the conflict countries discussed were Francophone countries and questioned whether there was a correlation between this and the occurrence of violence. She further questioned whether South Africa had learned anything from being involved in the peace processes of the weak, failed states. Dr Mulder (FFP) wondered whether national elections would offer permanent solutions to these conflict countries. Regarding Côte D’Ivoire, he questioned the criticism from France on South Africa and wondered how the relationship between France and South Africa and cooperation between the two countries was affected. Mr Ramgobin (ANC) asked what had become of the ECOAS presence in Côte d’Ivoire. He queried whether religious tensions between the north and south of Sudan where affecting community reintegration and whether the Department had considered linking Prime Minister Blair’s Commission for Africa with South Africa’s current objectives to ensure the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals.

Mr Bapela (ANC) commented that the issue of nationality remained a challenge and questioned how it was going to be resolved in Côte d’Ivoire. In the DRC, Mr Bapela questioned how communities were being accessed in the country where infrastructure was so poorly developed and how displaced people were being included. With respect to Sudan, he commented that although the post-conflict reconstruction phase would involve six years of unity as encouraged by the AU, thereafter the people of South Sudan would not be resolved to the idea of one country and could vote for separation. Mr Bapela also questioned how South Africa planned to incorporate the participation of the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA –a different movement from SPLA). The SLA had requested the involvement of South Africa as a monitoring presence during the talks in Abuja hosted by ECOAS; however, no response from Foreign Affairs had been given to their request. Mr Greyling (ID) questioned whether mechanisms were in place to ensure that South African companies were not abusing the riches of the countries in conflict. An example he gave was the involvement of AngloGold-Ashanti gold mining in the DRC.

Mr L Joubert (IFP) commented that nationality should be determined through multilateral involvement perhaps involving the UN. With respect to Burundi, Mr Joubert asked whether the Deputy Minister thought the elections would be proceeding as planned and further questioned how many parties would be participating. Mr Nefolovhodwe (AZAPO) questioned why the French were concerned that South Africa was participating in bringing peace and stability to the continent and further questioned whether any talks had taken place between the two countries to present South Africa’s commitment to Africa. In the DRC, Mr Nefolovhodwe asked whether provincial demarcations were manageable and whether there were tribal affiliations or religious tendencies within these provinces. Mr Nefolovhodwe further questioned how the image of South Africa was perceived on the rest of the continent.

The Deputy Minister responded that the Francophone dominance of the countries discussed could be explained by the colonial legacy that remained at the root of many problems in Africa. The problems of the countries needed to be placed on the world’s development agenda for resolution. South Africa had learnt a lot in terms of development and using the fundamental principles of good governance implemented through the peer review mechanism were important institutions for building the continent. Regarding the relationship with France, the Deputy Minister stated that South Africa had extremely good relations with France, and France would continue to play an important role in Africa.

The unification of Sudan was a priority and if the objectives of the AU were successful, unification would be achieved after six years through the national referendum. One of the reasons South Africa was often requested to become involved in mediation on the African continent was the high profile of President Mbeki and South Africa’s geographical separation from the conflict states. South Africa was perceived as posing less of a threat than neighbouring states of conflict countries. The Deputy Minister stated that companies should adopt codes of conduct ensuring ethical behaviour that would not undermine the sovereignty of countries.

The Director-General: Foreign Affairs, Dr Ntsaluba further expanded on the issue of nationality in Cote d’Ivoire. He explained that different countries placed different restrictions on the presidency including nationality. President Mbeki’s determination agreed upon by the respective parties in Cote d’Ivoire was a significant achievement. Regarding the provisional regions in the DRC, the Director-General believed that the divisions were not constructed on the basis of ethnicity though there was likely to be a majority of specific ethnic groups in certain areas as was the case in South Africa.

Addressing the issue of the SLA, Dr Ntsaluba responded that the SLA had posed a problem to the Department as there was a dilemma present in responding to requests that could create tensions with other peace mediators. South Africa would need to have a permanent dedicated presence in the west and in the south of Sudan to strengthen bilateral relations. Allegations pertaining to sinister activities by South African companies had been followed up by the Department and was a concern for the Department. The perception of South Africa on the continent painted a confusing picture mixed with elements of respect, envy and suspicion. The Department had to continue to be aware of this perception though the dominant perception has been one of respect. In strengthening bilateral relations with countries it had been recognised that South Africa was not perceived as promoting imperial tendencies.

He also addressed the issue of a united Sudan. When the SPLA was hosted, disturbing questions were raised amongst the delegations regarding the true commitment of the AU to a united Sudan and whether the people of Sudan would be allowed to make a true and honest determination on their own and whether this would be accepted by the AU. Towards promoting a united Sudan, it would be important that the people of the South derived the benefits of a united Sudan. The Director-General commented that The Commission for Africa Report offered positive factors, guiding attitudes towards debt, fair trade and overseas development assistance. The difficulty would be ensuring that at the next G8 meeting, the Commission for Africa Report did not detract from the central task which was a united position on the G8 Action Plan. Regarding the Burundi election, he concluded that it was on track and that the infrastructure that was being used for the elections was the same as the infrastructure from the previous referendum..

Mr Greyling asked whether companies trading in the conflict countries had contributed much-needed funds. The Deputy Minister was unable to respond as the UN was the chief fundraiser. Ms Njobe commented that election delays were costly and that the role of women in the processes needed to be developed.

The meeting was adjourned.

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