About government - Programme of Action 2006 - International Relations, Peace & Security Cluster

1

CONSOLIDATION OF THE AFRICAN AGENDA

1.1

Strengthen the African Union and its structures

1.1.1

Mobilise support for the harmonisation and rationalisation of Regional Economic Communities as well as for the regional integration process

DFA, all Depts

In Oct-06 an Extraordinary SADC Summit noted progress towards a Free Trade Area in 2008 & reaffirmed the resolve to achieve Customs Union by 2010, stressing the need to consider developmental integration e.g. infrastructure, poverty eradication

1.1.2

Strengthen governance and capacity in the AU

DFA, NT

In Oct-06 Cabinet directed that the Secondment Policy be finalised without further delay to facilitate the Secondment of South African officials to SADC and the AU

1.1.3

Operationalise the AU Specialised Technical Committees

DFA, relevant Depts

After finalisation of the study on STCs, the AU Commission indicated that after processing it will be submitted to member states for their inputs prior to adoption by the AU Commission

1.1.4

Implement the AU Gender Declaration

DFA, Presidency

SA has made a commitment to strengthen the Office of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women by seconding an SA expert.

1.1.5

Support the Pan-African Parliament

DFA, Parliament

The Sixth Session of the PAP held in Johannesburg in Nov-06

1.1.6

Support the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) as a credible interface between government and civil society on issues of the African Agenda

DFA

In Sep-06 discussions took place between DFA and ECOSOCC to finalise the SA NEPAD Strategy. It was agreed that ECOSOCC would convene a civil society workshop in Nov-06 and that its results would be considered for incorporation into the Strategy.

1.1.7

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

DoJCD, DFA

Jul-06 AU Summit referred the revised Single Legal Instrument back to Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General for reconsideration and finalisation. Their report is to be submitted to the next Ordinary session.

1.1.8

Establish AU Financial Institutions

NT, DFA

National Treasury is preparing a “roadmap” for SA's participation in the process of establishing the African Central Bank, African Monetary Fund and African Investment Bank.

1.1.9

Engage the African Diaspora

DFA,

2006

In Sep-06 the Africa and Diaspora Conference adopted a Plan of Action in order to position culture at the centre of all its policies and programmes.

1.1.10

Strengthen bilateral relations with Angola and Nigeria

DFA, Relevant Depts

Work in progress.

1.1.11

Strengthen AU-EU Co-operation

DFA

Work in progress

1.1.12

Monitor migration issues

DHA

In Sep-06 the UN General Assembly held a High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development. SA represented G77 & China and called for a comprehensive and balanced approach in the implementation of migration policy and service delivery

1.2

Southern African Development Community (SADC)

1.2.1

Conclude the restructuring of SADC

DFA

SADC Council of Ministers directed SADC Secretariat to set up a special meeting of the Council in Feb-07 to discuss recommendations of the Task Force & Ministers of Finance and Investment on the review of the Integrated Committee of Ministers (ICM)

1.2.2

Strengthen governance and capacity in SADC, especially Secretariat

DFA

Cabinet has directed that the Secondment Policy be finalised without further delay to facilitate the Secondment of South African officials to SADC and the AU

1.2.3

Work towards the full implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 1st Phase

DFA, all Depts

2007

The Extraordinary SADC Summit of Oct-06 called for the creation of a Development Fund to be expedited to harness regional trade potential & to address infrastructure, food security and other supply side challenges .

1.3

Peace, security, stability and post-conflict reconstruction

1.3.1

Support the AU peace and Security Council

DFA, Relevant Depts

In Sep-06, a Working Group met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to reaffirm the principles that underlie the Post Conflict & Reconstruction & Development Policy adopted by the Jul-06 Banjul Summit

1.3.2

Operationalise the Early Warning System

DFA, Relevant Depts

NICOC is continuing to establish the National Early Warning System. The ICT development platform is at a stage of being tested for operation. It is envisaged that after the “go live process mode” the system would be fully operational.

1.3.3

Establish the African Standby Force

DFA, DOD, Relevant Depts

The current focus of the establishment of the African Standby Force is on Committees dealing with infrastructure logistics, communication, finance and peace support operation doctrine. SA is currently participating in the Peace Support Doctrine.

1.3.4

Adhere to the Common African Defence and Security Policy

DFA, DOD, Relevant Depts

SA is developing a mobile hydrographical capability to assist with hydrographic surveys and marine cartography of the Mid-African Great Lakes.

1.3.5

Review of the White Paper on Peace Mission

DFA, Relevant Depts

A Memorandum on the Review of the White Paper is due to be re-submitted to the Executive for consideration following government wide consultations

1.3.6

Burundi

DFA, Presidency, DOD, SANDF, relevant Depts

Negotiations between the Burundi govt & the PALIPEHUTU-FNL, the last remaining rebel movement, were finalised in Sep-06 with the signing of a comprehensive cease-fire agreement facilitated by SA

1.3.7

Comoros

DFA, Presidency, DOD, SANDF, relevant Depts

SA contributed to holding of peaceful Presidential Preliminary elections in Apr and Presidential elections May through deployment of SANDF personnel as part of AU deployment.

1.3.8

Cote d'Ivoire

DFA, Presidency, DOD, SANDF, relevant Depts

In Oct-06, the Peace & Security Council (PSC) of the AU extended Pres Gbagbo's mandate by a further year. Prime Minister Banny was given all necessary powers and means to implement all the objectives of the peace initiative.

1.3.9

Democratic Republic of Congo

DFA, Presidency, DOD, SANDF, relevant Depts

The SA National Observer Mission observed the presidential run-off and provincial elections in Oct-06 as well as the campaigning, election & counting processes

1.3.10

Equatorial Guinea

DFA, Presidency, DOD, SANDF, relevant Depts

In Feb-06 UNSG Kofi Annan began a mediation process between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to settle the territorial dispute between the two countries over three resource rich islands in the Gulf of Guinea:

1.3.11

Ethiopia, Eritrea

DFA, Presidency, Relevant Depts

The UN Security Council (UNSC) again extended the mandate of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea by 4 months. The UNSC called on both parties to remove all restrictions on the movement of UN personnel in the Temporary Security Zone.

1.3.12

Liberia

DFA, Presidency, DOD, SANDF, relevant Depts

Security was tightened in the capital Monrovia in Apr-06 after former soldiers engaged in violent protests over unpaid severance packages

1.3.13

Mauritania

DFA

Following the 2005 coup the AU sent an envoy. The Military Council for Justice and Democracy (MCJD) was instructed by the AU to democratise in less than two years

1.3.14

Somalia

DFA, DOD, Presidency, relevant Depts

In Sep-06 progress was made in talks between the Union of Islamic Courts and Transitional Federal Government regarding security arrangements & power sharing modalities. AU Peace & Security Council decided to deploy an 8 000 men strong force in Somalia

1.3.15

Sudan

DFA, Presidency, DOD, SANDF, relevant Depts

In Sep-06, the AU Peace and Security Council extended the mandate of the AU Mission in Sudan till end Dec-06. It also decided to expand the Mission to 11 000 troops. Talks continue on creation of Trilateral Committee (SA, NCP & SPLM/A)

1.3.16

Swaziland

DFA, Presidency, DOD, SANDF, relevant Depts

The new Swazi Constitution came into effect in Feb-06, without resolving differences regarding democratisation

1.3.17

Uganda

DFA, Presidency

SA has been accepted as one of the Friends of the Facilitator of the peace negotiations between the Uganda govt & the Lord Resistance Army.

1.3.18

Western Sahara

DFA, Presidency, DOD, SANDF, relevant Depts

In Aug-06 SA govt approved the signing of a Co-operation Agreement on Humanitarian Aid between SA & the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.

1.3.19

Zimbabwe

DFA, Presidency, DOD, SANDF, relevant Depts

Peace and stability in Zimbabwe is still threatened by the worsening economic and socio-economic crisis.

1.4

NEPAD

1.4.1

Provide capacity and political support for the implementation of NEPAD programmes and priority sectors

DFA, SAMDI, all Depts

The Dept of Social Development held a workshop to conceptualise the social dimensions of NEPAD to mainstream its objectives and principles

1.4.2

Facilitate the implementation of NEPAD priority sectors (infrastructure, agriculture, environment, tourism, ICT, health, human resources, and science and technology) and their integration with AU and SADC process

DFA, Relevant Depts

The Central African Ministerial Conference on Science, Technology & Innovation was held in Cameroon, in Sep-06. It resolved to confer yearly to among others facilitate & monitor implementation of Africa's Science & Technology Consolidated Plan of Action

1.4.3

Strengthen NEPAD coordination mechanism in SA and SA's leadership in various NEPAD sectors

DFA, Presidency, DTI

Refer to 1.1.6

1.4.4

Establish and utilize Continental Development Funds for NEPAD projects

DFA, Relevant Depts

Infrastructure Consortium for Africa established. South Africa's PIC investigating utilisation of national pension funds for development projects.

1.4.5

Operationalise the African Peer Review Mechanism

DPSA, Presidency, DFA

2006

The National Governing Council met in Sep-06 to consider the revised Programme of Action, the draft Generally Accepted Practices Analysis, Codes & Standards Report. They were handed to the Review Mission to finalise the draft Review Report for SA

1.4.6

Promote achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in Africa

DFA, Relevant Depts

Work in progress

2

SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION

2.1

Asian-African Sub-Regional Organisations Conference (AASROC) - finalise and implement joint programme of action under New Asia-Africa Strategic Partnership

DFA

Jul-06

The first NAASP Senior Officials Meeting was held in Sep-06 in SA. African-Asian participants renewed pledges to co-operate in political, economic &socio-cultural affairs, and to cooperate at Regional Economic Community level and on Women and Youth issues

2.2

Non-Aligned Movement, including XIV NAM Summit

DFA

Sept-06

XIV NAM Summit held in Sep-06 in Cuba reaffirmed value of solidarity, unity & cohesion among developing countries adopted Declaration on Purposes & Principles & Role of NAM in the present global situation

2.3

India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA)

DFA

The 1st IBSA Summit, including two side events (Academic Seminar and Business Summit) took place in Sep-06 in Brazil. A Joint Declaration was adopted and five trilateral agreements concluded.

2.4

G77 ( Chair New York Chapter)

DFA

Dec-06

As Chair SA facilitated common G77 positions on many issues and represented the G77 in talks with other groupings. SA helped generate consensus in the G77 such as a common stance on ECOSOC reform

3

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE: POLITICS AND SECURITY

3.1

UN reform

DFA

In the 60th session of UN General Assembly in Sep-06 calls were made for direct negotiations among Members to expedite Security Council reform. In Oct-06 SA was elected to Security Council as non-permanent member from Jan-07-Dec-08.

3.2

Terrorism

DFA, DOD, SAPS, relevant Depts

In Sep-06 UN General Assembly adopted a broad global strategy to counter terrorism. SA supported the strategy but was concerned at its failure to address state terrorism, extra-judicial killings, extra-ordinary renditions and illegal detention.

3.3

Weapons of mass destruction

3.3.1

Iran and nuclear technology

DFA

In Oct-06 SA was confirmed as next Chairperson of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, from 2007-08. Its goals are to ensure that nuclear items aimed for peaceful purposes are not diverted to unsafe and unguarded nuclear activities or nuclear weapons.

3.4

Iraq

DFA

SA continues to monitor the situation in Iraq and to support the UN and other multilateral efforts to reconstruct and stabilise the country

3.5

Middle East peace process (Israel and Palestine)

DFA, Presidency

SA called for urgent resumption of talks on the Roadmap to peace in the Middle East and for the implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access of people. SA stressed the need for cessation of hostilities by the all concerned

4

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE: SOCIO-ECONOMIC

4.1

Multilateral negotiations

4.1.1

World Trade Organisation

DTI, DFA, Relevant Depts

In Sep-06 SA participated in meetings of the G20, NAMA 11, Cairns Group, which all called for resumption of talks and reaffirmed a commitment to a developmental outcome for the Doha Development Agenda

4.2

Bilateral negotiations

4.2.1

South African Custom Union (SACU) - United States of America Free Trade Agreement

DTI, Relevant Depts

The US has proposed that in lieu of the failed SACU-US Free Trade Area, a non-negotiating mechanism should be established for the discussion of issues important to both SACU & the US, such as trade promotion opportunities.

4.2.2

SACU-India & China Free Trade Agreement

DTI, Relevant Depts

SACU awaiting official confirmation from Indian counterparts that a fresh mandate has been obtained from the new Indian govt enter into negotiations with SACU on a Free Trade Area

4.2.3

SACU-European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA)

DTI, Relevant Depts

All SACU members have signed the SACU-EFTA agreement. The agreement is ready for the various domestic ratification processes of the SACU members. SA's aims to have the agreement ratified by Parliament by early 2007.

4.2.4

SACU-MERCUSOR

DTI, Relevant Depts

The SACU-Mercosur meeting took place in Aug-06. Some issues still need to be resolved like additional tariff preferences, product-specific rules of origin, customs co-operation & automotives

4.3

Implement outcomes of major international conferences

All Depts

A Framework for Sustainable Development in SA is finalised. It is to be published for comment and will aid social partners and state organs refine and realign policies and methods to create a coherent and regular system for sustainable development

4.4

Global Finance

NT

Yearly Meetings of World Bank and IMF were held in Sep-06. SA represented the Africa Group 1 Constituency at the Development Committee and Nigeria represented the constituency at the International Monetary and Finance Committee

4.5

North-South Dialogue

4.5.1

Cooperation with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

DFA, relevant Depts

Deputy Minister OF Trade and Industry Davis' participated in the Annual OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (joint session with non-OECD countries) in May-06

4.5.2

Group of Eight (G8) Summit, implementation of the G8 Africa Action Plan

DFA, NT, Presidency

SA attended 7th Africa Partnership Forum in Oct-06. The Draft Communiqué makes no provision for action by development partners and Africa Co-Chairs have requested that the Communiqué be re-drafted to better reflect African concerns

4.5.3

World Economic Forum

NT, Presidency

The World Economic Forum held its annual meeting in June in Cape Town. The theme was economic growth. The outcomes are key to setting the tone for the global economy as well as for the Davos Annual Forum

5

CROSS-CUTTING PRIORITIES

5.1

2010 FIFA World Cup

SRSA

Work in progress

5.2

Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Bid

DST, DTI

SA proposal to site the SKA in the Northern Cape was sent to the International Steering Committee in Dec-05.

5.3

Tourism

DEAT, DFA, GCIS

A Tourism Indaba was held in Durban on May-06

5.8

Participate in the Progressive Governance Network

Presidency, DFA

Ongoing

Work in progress

5.9

HRD: Enhance capacity for economic diplomacy and strengthen Foreign Service Institute

DFA, NT

Discussions underway