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Progress on African Union and NEPAD objectives QUESTION
NUMBER: 2
DATE: 16 November 2004
2. Mr M A Sulliman to ask the
Deputy President: Whether, in light of South Africa's active role in establishing
the African Union and developing Nepad as the AU's socio-economic programme, any
progress has been made in meeting one of the AU's key objectives, namely the promotion
of peace, security and stability on the African continent; if not, what is the
position in this regard; if so, what progress?
C178E
REPLY:
Since
its establishment, the African Union has indeed made substantial progress in promoting
peace, security and stability on the African continent. As a result of AU efforts,
a number of countries have made substantial progress towards achieving this objective.
The
African Union Peace and Security Council is now fully operational and regularly
holds deliberations on ways to resolve ongoing conflicts. Work is continuing on
the establishment of an African Standby Force that will be able to intervene in
African conflicts in a timely manner. Each of the five regions of the continent
will contribute a brigade to this Standby Force and in this regard, South Africa
is actively participating in the establishment of a SADC Brigade.
South
Africa has been asked to assist the African Union Commission and SADC in developing
the continental Early Warning System which is expected to be operational in two
years time
The African Union currently is supporting peace processes in a number
of countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, the Comoros, the DRC and Cote d"Iviore.
The
African Union made a substantial contribution to the peace process in Burundi
by establishing the African Mission, which deployed African troops in Burundi
even prior to the signing of a comprehensive ceasefire agreement. This assisted
the continuation of political dialogue and boosted the peace process. The elections
have been scheduled for early 2005.The transitional institutions are doing all
they can to create a conducive environment so that the Independent Electoral Commission
can prepare and deliver free and fair elections.
It remains South Africa's
goal to work with other African countries to strengthen the African Union and
ensure that it has all the necessary resources to meet its objectives of promoting
peace, security and stability in the Continent.
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