briefing on developments in the great lakes region 31 october 2001

BRIEFING ON DEVELOPMENTS IN THEGREAT LAKES REGION

31 OCTOBER 2001

The Great Lakes RegionThe 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

Political LandscapePolitical 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

Human Rights and Humanitarian Situation

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

Economic LandscapeEconomic 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

Developments in the Democratic Republic of

the Congo


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


the Congo


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

The Lusaka Cease-Fire AgreementThe 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

The Lusaka Cease-Fire Agreement

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

The Lusaka Cease-Fire AgreementThe 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


the Congo


the Congo

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

The Inter-Congolese DialogueThe 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

The Inter-Congolese DialogueThe 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

The Inter-Congolese DialogueThe 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

The Inter-Congolese DialogueThe 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)

Deployment of MONUCDeployment 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

Disarmament, Demobilistion, Re-integration, resettlement

and Repatriation (DDRRR)

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

Withdrawal of Foreign TroopsWithdrawal of Foreign Troops

The withdrawal of foreign troops are stipulated in the LCA

The status is: The Ugandan People’s 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

Internal Developments in the DRC

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

Internal Developments in the DRCInternal 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

Internal Developments in the DRCInternal 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

Military Situation in the Eastern DRC

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

South African InvolvementSouth 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


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

Practical Steps for Future South African InvolvementPractical 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


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


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


General Actively encourage the withdrawal of

foreign forces from the DRC

Developments in Burundi

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

Developments in BurundiDevelopments 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

Developments in BurundiDevelopments 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


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

Support for the Peace ProcessSupport 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

Support for the Peace ProcessSupport 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

Developments in RwandaDevelopments 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

Developments in RwandaDevelopments 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

Developments in RwandaDevelopments 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


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

CONTCONT

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 US$1 Million to Rwanda to assist in countering famine

Support for RwandaSupport 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

Developments in UgandaDevelopments in Uganda Criticism of President Museveni’s increasingly

autocratic style of governance is rising The donor community is becoming impatient

with the President’s 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


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

The Way ForwardThe 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

endend

briefing on developments in the great lakes region 31 october 2001

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