Pretoria – The current trend in the continent of gaining political power unconstitutionally has to be halted, says International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
“Elections should not be a source of dispute and political instability, but a democratic path through which the people decide peacefully on who should govern them as stipulated in the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance,” Nkoana-Mashabane said.
She was opening the debate for her department’s budget vote in the National Assembly on Thursday.
On Monday, the African Union (AU) had made a decision to establish the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises on the Continent (ACIR), in response to the on-going challenges of peace and security that undermine democratically elected governments.
The South African government, as well as other AU member states, has pledged its support for the establishment of ACIR. The AU currently does not have such an immediate response mechanism, as the process of implementing the African peace and security architecture is on-going.
The minister said South Africa remained concerned with the peace and security situation on the continent.
“The stabilisation of the Great Lakes Region, Central Africa, North Africa as well as parts of West Africa and the Horn of Africa requires urgent attention if we are to consolidate the gains we have made in recent years to restore peace in Africa,” said Nkoana–Mashabane.
She added that South Africa would as a consequence fully support peace initiatives in the DRC, the CAR, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Somalia, and South Sudan and Sudan.
As Libya, Tunisia and Egypt transit towards a new socio-economic and political dispensation, Nkoana-Mashabane said South Africa supporteds the on-going constitutional processes in these countries, and the country was ready to revitalise its bilateral consultation mechanisms with them.
Consolidating the African Agenda
The minister used her speech to highlight some of the gains that South Africa has achieved in the 19 years of democracy in the global arena.
“We have now reached a turning point where we have to marshal our forces in order to remain among the top economies of the world of today and the future. We are ready for this task.
“History defines destiny, not only in humans, but also amongst states. We are stronger and more determined for the long walk in this journey to a better South Africa in a better Africa and a better world,” Nkoana–Mashabane told MPs.
She also focused on the gains that the continent has made since the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity, now called the AU.
“Today, Africa is different from what it was 50 years ago. Not only is the decolonisation process almost complete, but significant progress has also been achieved towards African unity.”
She said the continental peace and security architecture, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) were all among the concrete steps taken to find African solutions to the challenges of peace, development and democracy.
The minister also called for African Agenda to consolidated, saying the AU continued to be the primary vehicle that carried the hopes and aspirations of all Africans.
“As we look to the future, as South Africa, we embrace Vision 2063 ... this vision contains priorities that form the pillars of the tasks bestowed on us by history in our march to the next 50 years of our union in 2063. The achievements of decolonisation must entail self-reliance and true socio-economic emancipation.”
Nkoana-Mashabane also announced that the administrative requirements for the establishment of the South African Development Partnership Agency have now been completed and have been signed by President Jacob Zuma.
“The agency will soon become operational. Shortly, we expect to table a Bill in Parliament for the creation of the Partnership Fund for Development.
This fund will replace the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund and provides the mechanism for the funding of development cooperation programmes administered through the agency,” the minister said.
She also committed to building solid bilateral relations and maintaining peace not only in the SADC region, but Africa as a whole and the world. – SAnews.gov.za
