BRIEFING ON DEVELOPMENTS IN THE

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• BRIEFING ON DEVELOPMENTS IN THE
• GREAT LAKES REGION
• 31 OCTOBER 2001

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The Great Lakes Region

• Introduction
• The creation of stability and security in the
  Great Lakes Region is on of the key objectives of
  the Department of Foreign Affairs. This year has
  seen several positive developments take place
  that will contribute to the realising of these
  objectives
• Identification of the Great Lakes Region
• Geographically it includes DRC Uganda Rwanda
  Burundi Tanzania Kenya Zambia Malawi
• This report focuses on DRC Uganda Rwanda
  Burundi

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Political Landscape

• In 1997 the Secretary General of the United
  Nations, Mr Kofi Annan stated that conflicts in
  Africa have undermined efforts to ensure
  long-term stability, prosperity and peace for the
  people of Africa
• The Great Lakes Region is plagued by conflict
• Common characteristic is the presence of
  undemocratic governments
• Prevailing conflict has prevented the creation of
  functional democracies and has impeded economic
  growth
• Causes of the conflicts are rooted in ethnicity,
  competition for scarce resources colonial rule
  legacy

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Human Rights and Humanitarian Situation

• Conflict has caused a humanitarian crisis
• Over 3 million deaths have resulted directly or
  indirectly from conflict in the last decade

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Economic Landscape

• These states are classified as highly indebted
  poor countries.
• DRC as the third largest state in Africa has huge
  economic potential in terms of
• Mineral and non-mineral resources
• Hydro-electrical potential
• Agricultural potential

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Developments in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo

• Laurent Kabila took power in May 1997
• He did not broaden political representation and a
  second rebellion broke out in August 1998
• Belligerents involved are the DRC government
  backed by Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia opposed by
  rebel groups (RCD RCD-ML MLC) backed by Rwanda
  Uganda Burundi

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Developments in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo

• Numerous efforts to resolve conflict made by
  variety of countries, leaders institutions
• SADC initiative led by former President Mandela
  resulted in the signing of the Lusaka Cease-Fire
  Agreement (LCA) in August 1999

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The Lusaka Cease-Fire Agreement

• The Agreement provides, inter alia, for
• the cessation of hostilities
• a commitment to address the security concerns of
  the DRC its neighbours
• request to the UN/OAU to deploy an appropriate
  peace keeping force
• the establishment of a Joint Military Commission
  (JMC)
• withdrawal of foreign forces
• commitment to take measures to normalise
  situation along the international borders of the
  DRC

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The Lusaka Cease-Fire Agreement

• The re-establishment of state administration in
  the DRC after the conclusion of the
  Inter-Congolese Dialogue
• formation of a national, restructured and
  integrated army
• establishment of a mechanism to disarm militias
  and armed groups

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The Lusaka Cease-Fire Agreement

• In order to achieve the above the following
  structures were created and persons appointed
• President Chiluba of Zambia acts as Mediator to
  the peace process
• The Former President of Botswana, Sir Ketumile
  Masire as Facilitator to the Inter-Congolese
  Dialogue
• Mr Amos Namanga Ngongi as Special Representative
  of the United Nations Secretary General

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Developments in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo

• After his inauguration on 26 January 2001,
  President Joseph Kabila restarted the process of
  the implementation of the LCA

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The Inter-Congolese Dialogue

• The Preparatory meeting for the ICD took place in
  Gaborone from 20-24 August 2001
• Decisions taken at the meeting include
• The ICD would start in Addis Ababa on 15 October
  2001, and last for 45 days The release of
  political prisoners and freedom of movement
  within the DRC
• DRC government pledged 1 Million towards ICD
• A Draft Agenda for the ICD was drawn up and
  agreed upon

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The Inter-Congolese Dialogue

• Contentious issues that were not resolved
• The withdrawal of foreign forces
• Status of President Joseph Kabila and rebel
  demands that a transitional government must
  replace the current DRC government
• On 4 October 2001 the Facilitator announced that
  due to a shortage of funds fewer people would be
  able to attend the ICD

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The Inter-Congolese Dialogue

• ICD Meeting in Addis Ababa
• DRC government of opinion that it was not start
  of the ICD but further preparatory meeting
• After consultations the Facilitator officially
  launched the ICD
• During start of discussions DRC Government make
  new demands regarding participation

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The Inter-Congolese Dialogue

• After attempts to resolve the issue the DRC
  government returned to the plenary and declared
  that it could not continue with the ICD
• Facilitator reported afterwards all groups had
  agreed that ICD would resume later in South
  Africa (Facilitator earlier officially requested
  Pres. Mbeki to host ICD)

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Deployment of MONUC

• The UN has completed Phase I and II of MONUC
  which include
• Total personnel of 2 408 including 97 South
  Africans
• UNSC is close to approving Phase III of MONUC
  that will focus on total withdrawal of foreign
  forces DDRRR
• Security Council stated 4 requirements for
  implementation of Phase III
• Withdrawal of all foreign troops
• Cessation of support for armed groups
• All parties must work together at ICD
• City of Kisangani must be demilitarised

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Disarmament, Demobilistion, Re-integration,
resettlement and Repatriation (DDRRR)

• UN proposes that Phase III start with expanding
  the military presence in the Eastern DRC
• UN international community must find durable
  permanent solution for armed groups
• Phase III will be constrained by lack of
  knowledge on nature and strength of armed groups

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Withdrawal of Foreign Troops

• The withdrawal of foreign troops are stipulated
  in the LCA
• The status is
• The Ugandan Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) has
  largely withdrawn
• Rwanda has re-deployed most of the troops that
  were withdrawn from conflict areas to the Eastern
  DRC
• The Zimbabwean Defence Force has declared the
  withdrawal of three battalions, this has not been
  confirmed by MONUC
• Namibia has withdrawn the majority of its troops
• Angola stated that it was ready to leave the DRC

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Internal Developments in the DRC

• Political
• President Joseph Kabila has no internal political
  support base
• He has obtained a fair amount of international
  recognition
• Despite of statements to the contrary, political
  activity is still restricted
• The armed rebel groups is experiencing
  difficulties in managing territories under their
  control

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Internal Developments in the DRC

• Economic
• President Joseph Kabila has initiated economic
  stabilisation policies
• It is frustrated by lack of macro economic
  management, prevalence of corruption, lack of
  regulatory frameworks and lack of infrastructure
• Significant financial aid pledged to the DRC is
  linked to the successful completion of the ICD

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Internal Developments in the DRC

• Social and Humanitarian
• Approximately 2 million people have died
• The UNSG states in his latest report on MONUC
  that the humanitarian situation in the DRC
  remains grave

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Military Situation in the Eastern DRC

• No major incidents have occurred this year
  between signatories of the LCA
• Situation remains tense in the Eastern DRC

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South African Involvement

• South Africa continues to actively engage all
  parties involved in the conflict
• During this year several delegations from various
  DRC groups have held discussions with high level
  government representatives
• South Africa fully supports the Facilitator, Sir
  Ketumile Masire

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South African Involvement

• South Africa views the ICD as critical to
  resolving the problems in the Great Lakes Region
• South Africa is actively participating in MONUC
  and approximately 97 out of 104 planned technical
  personnel is currently deployed
• South Africa has donated R1 Million to the OAU
  for use by the JMC and R1 Million to the Office
  of the Facilitator

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Practical Steps for Future South African
Involvement

• Support for the DRC
• Practical support and assistance w.r.t the
  creation of democratic institutions and the
  adherence to democratic values
• Support the transformation of the DRC public
  service
• Support a process of healing and reconciliation
  in the DRC
• Promote trade between South Africa and the DRC

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Practical Steps for Future South African
Involvement

• Support for MONUC
• Pressure the RCD-Goma to demilitarise Kisangani
• To lobby the UN and international community for
  greater commitment to the DDRRR process
• Engage belligerents to give their full support to
  MONUC Phase III

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Practical Steps for Future South African
Involvement

• Support for the Inter-Congolese Dialogue
• Support and engage the Facilitator through
  providing practical assistance
• Promote a culture of democratic values and
  principles among the participants in the ICD

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Practical Steps for Future South African
Involvement

• General
• Actively encourage the withdrawal of foreign
  forces from the DRC

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Developments in Burundi

• The Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for
  Burundi was signed by 19 parties on 28 August
  2000
• The Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) to
  oversee the Agreement was established in January
  2001
• A crucial outstanding issue of the Arusha
  Agreement, the nomination and appointment of
  transitional leadership was addressed at a
  meeting in Pretoria on 10 July 2001

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Developments in Burundi

• Another outstanding issue, the conclusion of a
  cease-fire agreement has not been resolved
• The question of a peacekeeping force has not yet
  been finalised, it is unlikely that the UNSC will
  approve a mission to Burundi in the short term.
• The deployment of a VIP protection force or
  special protection unit (SPU) has been problematic

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Developments in Burundi

• A follow-up Summit was held in Pretoria on 11
  October 200
• The expected breakthrough w.r.t. a cease-fire did
  not occur.
• The 16th Regional Summit on Burundi, held in
  Arusha on 1 October 2001, failed to reach
  consensus on a VIP force
• After the Summit the Facilitator indicated that
  Pres. Mbeki would be requested to deploy SA
  troops in Burundi as a VIP protection force in
  the interim

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South African Involvement

• South Africa fully supports the Burundi Peace
  Process
• Deputy President Zuma with the assistance of
  President Bongo of Gabon are negotiating with the
  rebel groups in an effort to persuade them to
  agree to a cease-fire
• The South African and Burundian Ministers of
  Defence signed a Memorandum of Understanding on
  26 October 2001 providing for the deployment of a
  maximum of two SA battalions to Burundi

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Support for the Peace Process

• An important outstanding issue is a cease-fire
  agreement
• It is expected that the installation of a
  transitional government on 1 November 2001 will
  be the first step in ending the conflict
• Success of the peace process is vital, because
• There are more than 600 000 Burundian refugees
  who must be resettled in Burundi
• The civil war in Burundi is interlinked with the
  DRC conflict
• Progress in Burundi will positively effect
  developments in Rwanda

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Support for the Peace Process

• Sustained pressure by South Africa on all the
  parties concerned is required
• The international community must be reminded of
  pledges made at a Donor Conference in December
  2000
• South Africa should also support post-conflict
  economic and infrastructural reconstruction

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Developments in Rwanda

• Because of the 1994 genocide,Rwanda is faced with
  the task of restoring law and order to the
  country, of encouraging national reconciliation,
  putting in place a new constitution and
  rebuilding public and economic institutions
• These internal processes took its first step with
  non-party local elections in March 1999
• Further local elections were held in March 2001

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Developments in Rwanda

• On a national level, the 8 political parties of
  the coalition government decided in June 1999 to
  extend their mandate with 4 years
• The reason for the extension was that more time
  was needed to daft a constitution
• Justice Puis Langa, Deputy President of the
  Constitutional and two researchers from ACCORD
  visited Rwanda during May 2001 to assist with the
  process

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Developments in Rwanda

• President Mbeki addressed the National Summit of
  Unity and Reconciliation in Kigali in October
  2000 - the next summit will take place in 2002
• In order to address the problem of an estimated
  120 000 detainees in Rwanda the Rwandan
  government has revived traditional community
  courts, gacaca
• The International Criminal Tribunal from Rwanda
  established by the UN in 1994 is under the
  presidency of South African Judge Navanthem Pillay

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South African Involvement

• The South African-Rwandan Joint Commission of
  Co-operation (JCC) was inaugurated on 23 June
  2001
• Dr Aggrey Mbere presented his credentials as
  South African Ambassador to President Kagame on
  24 August 2001
• South Africa actively supports the processes in
  Rwanda and in this regard the following should be
  noted
• assistance to the Rwandan Constitutional
  Commission by Justice Langa and ACCORD

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CONT

• Contact established between Human Rights
  Commissions
• The South African Parliament and the Rwandan
  Transitional National Assembly concluded a MOU in
  2000
• Several bilateral agreements concluded in 2000
• The Department of Agriculture visited Rwanda in
  2000
• The Department of Foreign Affairs donated US1
  Million to Rwanda to assist in countering famine

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Support for Rwanda

• Rwanda has a long history of rivalry between two
  ethnic groups and the presence of rebel groups in
  neighbouring countries increases instability
• Rwanda remains an important role-player w.r.t.
  the Lusaka Cease-Fire Agreement and its security
  concerns must be taken seriously
• South Africa has through the JCC established a
  formalised mechanism to channel assistance,
  advice and funding to Rwanda

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Developments in Uganda

• Criticism of President Musevenis increasingly
  autocratic style of governance is rising
• The donor community is becoming impatient with
  the Presidents reluctance to democratise
  political processes
• Uganda remains an important role-player in the
  DRC conflict
• Although tensions between Uganda and Rwanda
  existed openly since armed clashes in the DRC in
  1999, new rumours of tension surface regularly
• In spite of reconciliation talks between the two
  countries in July 2001, tension remains, that can
  influence the whole region negatively

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South African Involvement

• South African investment in Uganda has increased
  to 300 million over last few years, making South
  Africa one of the largest investors in Uganda
• South Africa and Uganda is finalising a bilateral
  agreement to establish a Joint Commission of
  Co-operation

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The Way Forward

• Uganda is a prominent role-player in the Great
  Lakes Region and every opportunity should be
  utilised to improve and expand relations
• The Lusaka and Arusha Agreements remain the only
  viable options to attain peace and stability in
  the Great Lakes Region

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end