DRC Election Results & Post Election Reconstruction Programme of Action: presentation

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
14 March 2007
DRC ELCTION RESULTS & POST ELECTION RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME OF ACTION: PRESENTATION

Chairperson: Mr D Sithole (ANC)

Documents handed out
DFA presentation: DRC elections; Reconstruction & Development Programme

Audio recording of the meeting

SUMMARY
The Committee was briefed on 2006 elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the first democratic elections held in that country in 46 years. The elections were put in their historical context, election results presented and contentious issues pertaining to the elections elaborated upon. The emphasis of the presentation was however on the post-election reconstruction of the DRC. The Department informed the Committee that South Africa was a partner for peace, reconstruction and development in the DRC. Three main areas of emphasis in the DRC by the South African government were articulated on: institutional capacity building, security sector reform and economic development. The Department asserted that political and economic stability in the DRC would impact positively in the Great Lakes region in particular and the Southern African Development Community in general

MINUTES
Discussion
The Chairperson informed the Committee that he thought it important for them to interact with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on the post-electoral reconstruction of the DRC, as South Africa had invested heavily in that country’s transition to democracy. It was critical that the Committee knew the measures that had been put in place to help rebuild the war-ravaged DRC, and that the Committee continue to monitor progress there.

Ms Tselane Mokuena (Chief Director, Chief Directorate: Southern Africa, DFA) informed the Committee that the emphasis of the presentation would not be on the DRC elections and results, but rather on post conflict reconstruction. The elections would however be put into a historical context, showing the progress that had been achieved in advancing towards full and sustainable democratisation in the DRC.

The Chief Director said the DRC’s elections had been a watershed, and marked the end of the transitional period. Thirty three presidential candidates had registered for the elections, but Mr Tshisekedi had withdrawn and boycotted the elections, alleging that the basic conditions for a transparent vote had not been met. In the first round, none of the presidential candidates had won an outright majority; as such a second round election runoff between Mr J Kabila and Mr J Bemba occurred. Mr Kabila won 58, 05% of the vote while Mr Bemba attained 41, 95%. Mr Bemba later alleged electoral irregularities, however the Supreme Court of the DRC, after considering his objections, confirmed Mr Kabila as President. There had been minor skirmishes between the supporters of Mr Kabila and Mr Bemba.

The Committee was informed that 65% of the DRC’s 25,4 million voters had participated in the elections. The South African Observer Mission (SAOM) had comprised of 105 members, dispersed through the vast terrain of the DRC, had declared the elections peaceful, credible, democratic and transparent. In September 2006, a new 500 member National Assembly had been inaugurated in the DRC. Owing to the fact that no single party had attained an outright majority in the legislative elections, alliances had formed. Mr A Gizenga had been named as Prime Minister of the DRC. He had highlighted priority requiring needing urgent attention: economic development, increased security, justice, the fight against corruption and poverty eradication. A Cabinet, consisting of 60 members, had been appointed in the DRC.

Ms Mokuena said that following the successful elections in the DRC the challenge ahead was that of post conflict reconstruction. South Africa’s efforts were informed by the broader Africa agenda and were guided by the African Union’s (AU) Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development Programme. South Africa’s engagement with the DRC focused on three critical areas:
1. Institutional Capacity Building
2. Security Sector Reform
3. Economic Development.

President Kabila had identified five areas for the DRC’s post-election reconstruction: infrastructure, employment, education, water and electricity and security sector reforms. It was evident that South Africa’s plan was in sync with the programme of the DRC government.

Ms Mokuena elaborated on the institutional capacity building DFA was engaged with in the DRC, asserting that building capacity within state institutions in the DRC was essential to the efficient functioning of that country. The Department was training 15 diplomats from the DRC in Pretoria, while the Department of Public Service and Administration had initiated a census of the public service in the DRC and was working on the development of a training academy in the DRC for its public servants. The Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) had assisted with capacity building for the DRC’s twenty five provinces. The Department of Home Affairs was assisting the DRC with its population register, while the Department of Housing provided technical expertise in the field of housing and human settlements. The Department of Home affairs was also assisting in the resettlement of returning refugees.

Regarding security sector reform, Ms Mokuena said that South Africa was working with the United Kingdom, Japan, Sweden and the Netherlands in this critical area. Key to the success of this was the integration of the armed forces and demobilisation of former combatants. The South African National Defense Force and South African Police Service were working with their Congolese counterparts to ensure success in this critical sphere, while the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development had helped with capacity building in the DRC’s judiciary.

Moreover, it was asserted that economic development in the DRC was key to attaining the objectives of post-war reconstruction. The DRC, as one of the most mineral rich countries in the world, needed to harness deposits and unlock its investment and trade opportunities. In this regard the Department of Transport had targeted infrastructure development, the Department of Mineral and Energy electrification and mining, the Department of Trade and Industry spatial development initiatives, the Department of Agriculture the promotion and development of agriculture while the South African Revenue Service helped with capacity building in revenue collection.

Ms Mokuena concluded by reiterating her contention that political and economic stability in the DRC would impact positively on not only the Great Lakes region but Southern African region. She stated that continued international support was critical and that South Africa was a partner for peace, reconstruction and development. She stated that the Department’s Director General would articulate on the funding for post conflict reconstruction in the DRC.

The Chairperson thanked Ms Mokuena for her presentation.

Mr D Gibson (DA) commended Ms Mokuena on a well researched presentation. He asserted that without minimising the significance of the DRC’s elections, the real work started with the reconstruction of the country. He enquired as to the level of international support and involvement from multilateral institutions such as the United Nations (UN), AU and European Union (EU), especially Belgium, given its history with the DRC.

Ms Mokuena replied that, regarding the reform of the security sector, South Africa was not working alone and singled out Angola for providing assistance. Angola was working with the DRC’s armed forces in accordance with SADC’s defence pact. The EU, the UN - through its Mission in the DRC (MONUC) - United States, Denmark, United Kingdom, France and indeed Belgium were assisting in the reconstruction.

Mr M Sibande (ANC) highlighted the fact that the DRC’s constitution had been drafted by the Congolese as opposed to some African countries. He asked what programme had been put in place to disarm the heavily armed private armies in the DRC. He wanted to know what had happened to warlords accused of having used child soldiers during the conflict. He also asked whether Mr Tshisekedi’s withdrawal from the presidential race would not lead to political instability in the DRC.

Ms Mokuena stated that regarding private armies in the DRC, it was up to the DRC government to enact legislation to deal with this phenomenon. She continued by stating that the use of child soldiers was of great concern to SADC and the AU. As expressed in the SADC pact governments have been warned against using child soldiers. She informed the Committee there were seven men sought in the DRC by the International Criminal Court for the use of child soldiers.

Mr R Ntuli (ANC) enquired about educational reform in the DRC. He stated that during his time in the DRC as part of the SAOM, he had found schools to be in a deplorable condition. He concluded by stating that without solid gains in education, he could for see problems in future.

Ms Mokuena informed the Committee that, as articulated in their Social Contract, the DRC government viewed educational reform as a serious challenge and was in the process of enacting legislation to ensure schooling was compulsory and free. Minister Pandor had had meetings with her DRC counterpart at a bilateral level.

Dr A Luthuli (ANC) stated that she was aware of tensions between supporters of Mr Kabila and Mr Bemba. She sought clarity regarding the two men and their respective political parties at present, and enquired if there was any mediation between these two blocs.

Ms Mokuena indicated that South Africa constantly interacted with both President Kabila and Mr Bemba in an effort to find lasting peace and a workable solution. She stated that the relative calm in the DRC at present was an encouraging sign.

Mr M Kalako (ANC) enquired whether the DFA had any contact with South African businesses doing business in the DRC, so as to coordinate their activities in the DRC. He qualified this by stating that it was important for business to reflect the government’s national strategic objectives and ideals when doing business there. This was to minimise exploitation of the Congolese by South African businesses. He also asked the Department whether it had data on South African businesses operating in the DRC so as to ensure they remained accountable. Moreover, he enquired whether while the process of integration was occurring the former combatants were restricted to their respective bases.

Ms Mokuena said that communication with South African businesses was through the Department of Trade and Industry, which was tasked with the coordination and consolidation of trade issues. As such she could not express herself on the matter. She stated that armed forces from different parts of the DRC were being mixed at the different bases so as to minimise incidents of tribalism and ethnic tension.

Adv Z Madasa (ANC) enquired whether there was any coordination between the various South African departments involved in the reconstruction of the DRC. This was essential to ensure good practice.

Ms Mokuena indicated that the DFA coordinated activities between South African government departments. A task team, chaired by herself and Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, met fortnightly and interacted with all departments regarding post conflict development.

The Chairperson enquired as to the extent to which the Department was monitoring South Africa’s investments in the DRC. He asked whether other countries had a “hands on” approach or whether they were only providing funding. He continued by lamenting the state of traffic control in the DRC. He asked whether South Africa was providing assistance and whether the Airports Company of South Africa had been approached to help with airport rehabilitation.

Ms Mokuena responded that the Angolans were physically providing assistance in the DRC in accordance with SADC’s defence pact. While some of the other countries providing assistance in the DRC were not physically present, they had contributed to the basket fund which funded the elections and security sector reform. There was huge interest in the international community to be a part of reconstruction in the DRC. Germany had recently expressed an interest in the DRC’s reconstruction and, as Chair of the EU, had provided long term funding and technical expertise. The Department of Transport had provided plans regarding aviation and was in the process of training air traffic controllers. Moreover, ACSA had been requested to assist with the improvement of airports and their parking systems.

Ms M Njobe (ANC) by voicing her appreciation for the work being done by the DFA in the rehabilitation of the DRC. She enquired of skirmishes on the Eastern border of the DRC and the role of neighbouring states in this conflict.

Ms Mokuena agreed that the Eastern side of the DRC was still a flashpoint. However, an encouraging sign was that 1000 combatants from that region had recently detached themselves from the conflict there and had sought to be integrated in the national army. The DRC had turned the tide and MONUC had the right to forcefully disarm those in the East.

The Chairperson asked if the Department was aware of anything, particularly with regard to energy, that may lead to future problems in the DRC.

Mr Makhanya (Director, Chief Directorate Southern Africa, DFA) answered that the Department was aware of something that may affect relations with South Africa. However it was a sensitive issue that was being constantly monitored. He went on to thank Parliamentarians who were part of SAOM.

The Chairperson stated that the Department had the Committee’s support in its endeavours to reconstruct the DRC and that the success of the Department would be judged by its ability to deliver stability and development where it was involved

The meeting was adjourned.