ACDP Response to Address by President Thabo Mbeki
New Partnership for Africa’s Development

Speech by Rev Dr KRJ Meshoe MP, President of the African Christian Democratic Party

Wednesday, 31 October 2001


African leaders should be applauded for the New Africa Initiative based on a common vision to, among other things, get rid of poverty and place their countries on a path of sustainable growth and development. For this vision to become a reality, firm commitments have to be made by all stakeholders to good governance, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, fiscal discipline and accountability. All African leaders who are part of this new partnership must hold one another accountable. They must understand that although the ideal situation would be equal benefit for all partners, the reality would be different. There must be equal dedication and effort from all role-players to make this new partnership work.

A good question for us South Africans to ask is where do we start? The ACDP suggests that all our efforts, dedication and commitment should first be to make South Africa work and reflect all the principles that we want to see in our immediate region. SADC countries must be our primary areas of concern and influence.

Because of our limited resources, we cannot act like ‘Big Brother’ to the rest of Africa. Charity begins at home. Before we speak about continental unity, we must talk about regional unity. We believe regional cooperation will best position us and strengthen us in our vision of continental cooperation.

Now turning to South Africa’s involvement in a peacekeeping mission in Burundi, I want to ask the following questions:

Firstly, who will be funding this military operation to Burundi? Although the UN Security Council gave it’s support to a South African peacekeeping force in Burundi, it has not endorsed or authorised our troops under a UN umbrella. This means, the UN will not pay for this operation. If we are expecting any donor funds, which countries have confirmed that they will be contributing and how much will they be contributing? This is an important question especially when we consider the fact that no provision exists in the Defence allocation to participate in such an operation.

Secondly, it was reported in the media that the pro-Tutsi Union for National Progress Party in Burundi has called on it’s supporters to attack South African troops on their arrival in the war-torn country. The party’s chairperson, Charles Mukasi, is alleged to have declared war on what he calls foreign aggression. Can the President assure this House that we are not imposing ourselves on people who do not need our presence in their country?

Thirdly, how long will our troops be deployed in Burundi? The ACDP will not support spending millions of taxpayers’ monies indefinitely on an operation that does not benefit South Africans, the majority of whom are still living in poverty. There must be a deadline to this costly and dangerous exercise.

Fourthly, is the President satisfied about the personal safety and security of our armed forces in Burundi? If things go wrong and our troops are attacked or some are even taken hostage, are there any concrete emergency withdrawal plans in place to evacuate them? The President must assure the nation in his response that South Africans will not have to pay millions of rands for an operation outside their borders when there are so many needs at home, and that their loved ones on this mission will not be exposed to death in a conflict that does not directly affect us.

The success of this new partnership for Africa’s development will require openness, courage, vigorous and robust debates among members. Confronting issues, and when necessary, one another will have to be part of the deal. In this case, South Africa will have to get off the fence and take a very clear position on Zimbabwe.

Lastly, the ACDP suggests that an International Trust Fund be established for the redevelopment of a post-Mugabe Zimbabwe. There must be resources to help rebuild the economy and social structure of Zimbabwe once free and fair elections have enabled a new government to come into power. This is the responsibility of African leaders and only they should do this. We further suggest that they test the future effectiveness of this new partnership for Africa’s development in our region by helping to bring good governance, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, fiscal discipline and accountability in Zimbabwe.


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For more information please call Rev Meshoe at (021) 4033521 or ACDP Media Liaison Liza Bloemetje at 082 4781037