About government - Programme of Action 2005 - International Relations, Peace & Security Cluster

1

CONSOLIDATION OF THE AFRICAN AGENDA

1.1

Strengthen the African Union and its structures

DFA, relevant departments

1.1.1

Support AU and AU Commission

DFA, all departments

Government continues to lobby the public and private sectors to avail and expose staff to take up vacant posts within the AU and SADC institutions in order to support capacity in these organisations

1.1.2

Finalise the AU Budget and Engage on the AU Vision, Mission and Strategy

DFA, NT

In pursuit of AU's vision, a conference on an AU government was held in Nov-05. The need for a phased approach towards a political union was emphasised.

1.1.3

Operationalise the AU Specialised Technical Committees

DFA, relevant departments

The AU Commission initiated a study to facilitate the operationalisation of the STCs for presentation to the AU policy organs in the next Summit and Executive Council in Jan-06

1.1.4

Implement the AU Gender Declaration

DFA, Presidency

The Chairperson presented progress report on the Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa in Libya, in Jul-05

1.1.5

Support the Pan-African Parliament

DFA, Parliament

The 4th Ordinary Session of PAP took place from 21 Nov-05 to 02 Dec-05. The PAP Secretariat has raised concerns regarding lack of financial resources to effectively run the Session. The AU Commission has agreed to assist in this regard

1.1.6

Assist in the operationalisation of ECOSOCC

DFA

A Memorandum of Understanding has been entered into between NEDLAC and the SA Chapter of ECOSOCC Secretariat to develop a working relationship, particularly as regards the African Peer Review process for South Africa

1.1.7

Operationalise the African Court of Justice and the African Court on Human and People's Rights

DoJCD, DFA

The meeting of experts on the draft legal instrument for a merged court took place in Nov-05 in Algiers, Algeria

1.1.8

Establish AU Financial Institutions

NT, DFA

Preliminary work on structures is expected to commence in 2006. SA to participate in the process of preparing draft frameworks for these institutions, as well as the foundation rules relating to form and content of the institutions

1.1.9

Support the AU Peace and Security Council

DFA, DOD

SA continues to play an active role in the AU Peace and Security Council. SA police were deployed to the African Mission in Sudan in Jun-05.

1.1.10

Operationalise the Early Warning System

NICOC, DFA, DOD, SANDF

2008

In Nov-05, an Officials Workshop on the SADC Early Warning System took place in Pretoria. The Proposed Information Communication Technology (ICT) system and a draft Insecurity and Conflict Indicators document were adopted

1.1.11

Finalise the Common African Defence and Security Policy

DOD, DFA, SANDF

The AU adopted the Non-Aggression and Common Defence Pact during its 4th Summit, held in Nigeria at the end of Jan-05. SA examining Pact for ratification

1.1.12

Establish the African Standby Force

DOD, SANDF

Jun-05, Jun-10

Progress has been made in terms of redeployment of the military component of the SADC Standby Force. A SANDF member who will serve in the Permanent Planning Element from Jan-06 has been appointed

1.1.13

Review the White Paper on Peace Missions

DOD, SANDF

Nov-05

The draft White Paper on SA's Participation in Peace has been finalised and referred to the State Law Advisors, and is to be submitted to Cabinet

1.1.14

Strengthen bilateral relations and work towards 2002 Cabinet Lekgotla decision to have SA representation in all African countries in five years

DFA, NT

2007

Government is on track to meet Cabinet decision to be represented in every African capital despite the human resources and financial constraints. In the current financial year three more Missions have been opened in Chad, Guinea and Congo (Brazzaville)

1.1.15

Strengthen relations with the African Diaspora

DFA, Presidency

See 1.1.14

SA, working with the AU has offered to host the next Diaspora Summit in 2006. The NEPAD Secretariat and African Parliamentarians met with 70 members of the Diaspora to seek and merge efforts to address poverty, good governance and development in Africa

1.1.16

Participate in the Caribbean Diaspora Conference leading to a Global Conference

DFA

Apr-05

Diaspora Conference held in Jamaica in Mar-05, was attended by over 250 delegates from Africa and the Diaspora. Programme of Action adopted to strengthen relations and promote linkages between AU and CARICOM regions

1.1.17

Support Haiti

DFA, Presidency

SA continues to support a peaceful and constructive resolution to the problems in Haiti, leading to democratic elections. Government continues to host President Aristide

1.1.18

Implement Secondment policy for SA government officials

DFA, DPSA, DOD

Draft policy finalised and will be presented to Cabinet for approval

1.2

Southern African Development Community (SADC)

DFA, all departments

1.2.1

Engage in completing the restructuring of SADC

DFA

The restructuring of SADC is largely complete. The challenge is to implement the SADC Programme of Action, in particular the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan

1.2.2

Strengthen governance and capacity in SADC, especially Secretariat

DFA

Officials from SA government have been seconded to Gaborone to help strengthen and capacitate Secretariat

1.2.3

Accelerate regional integration and work towards the full implementation of the RISDP

DFA, all departments

The RISDP Progress Report was presented to the SADC Council of Ministers in Aug-05

1.2.4

Strengthen SA's role as Chair of the SADC Organ on Security

DFA, DOD

SA handed Chairmanship of the Organ to Namibia in Aug-05 but remains member of the Troika

1.2.5

Mobilise support for rationalisation of Regional Economic Communities

DFA, dti

A Draft Protocol on Relations between the AU and RECs was presented to the AU Summit in Jul-05

1.3

Peace, security, stability and post-conflict reconstruction