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Notes Following Briefing by Minister Dlamini Zuma on Outcomes
of African Union Extraordinary Summit Regarding United Nations Security Council
Reform, Tshwane, South Africa, 1 November 2005 Questions and answers
session Question Minister, would there have been more movement in
New York during September this year had the African position with regard to veto
rights, etc been waived? Answer No, I don't believe it would
have. As you know, the outcome document of the 2005 Millenium Review Summit instructed
Heads of State to review progress on the matter by the end of the year. As far
as I am concerned this is alive and an ongoing issue. This is work in progress. In
December we must see where we are, how far we have progressed. Indeed, the matter
may even spill over into next year. The last Extraordinary Summit of the
AU in August 2005 decided that, although the Committee of Foreign Ministers of
the AU had done all that they could to solicit support for the African position,
this was not enough to achieve the outcomes desired by the African Union. The
Summit then established the Committee of 10 Heads of State, consisting of two
representatives per region of the AU, and chaired by President Alhaji Ahmad Tejan
Kabbah of Sierra Leone to popularise and gain support for the African position. This
group reported back yesterday, Monday 31 October 2005. They are of the view that
enough has been done and achieved in terms of their mandate in soliciting support
for the African position - they believe that enough support exists for the African
position. If this is the case, then the only way forward to test the support
for the position is by putting it before the United Nations General Assembly for
a vote. This is the next step - to objectively test whether there is enough support
for the African position - there are some who still believe there is not enough
support for the African position. A decision was also taken to revert to
the original grouping of Foreign Ministers who will now try to convince other
member-states of the AU position and and at the appropriate time put it to the
UN General Assembly for a vote. Question Minister, where does the AU
feel it has support (outside of Africa)? Answer The Committee
of 10 Heads of State thought is has the support of some of the P5 (5 permanent
members of the UN Security Council). No other countries were specifically mentioned. It
was however stressed that while the matter of Security Council reform is important
for Africa, African unity is equally important. We will have to move in unity
also after the vote. The vote will allow us to move forward whatever the outcome.
This would end all need to squabble amongst ourselves. Question Minister,
what are the implications of this African position for co-operation with the G-4?
Answer This is an African resolution and can be co-sponsored
and supported by anyone who wants to. However, this is not a joint resolution. Question
Minister, are all African countries bound to support this resolution because they
are part of the African Union? When will the resolution be tabled? Answer
We are hopeful that all members of the African Union will support the resolution
and perhaps some outside the continent. I am not certain when the matter
will be tabled before the General Assembly. We must however be mindful of the
timetable accepted at the Summit- ie. that the matter must be reviewed by the
end of December 2005. Question Minister, a German diplomat was quoted
as saying that Africa's position is impossible and that it cannot work. Answer
As I've said, the matter will be tabled before the General Assembly by the end
of the December this year. We cannot be distracted by what other people are saying.
We want the process to move forward and we want to remain united as Africa. It
does not help to argue amongst ourselves. The very objective way in which
this matter can be resolved is to put it before the General Assembly for a vote.
We will then be able to test the support we have or otherwise for our position.
The outcome of the vote will determine the next stage. Question Minister,
there has effectively been no change in the African position since the August
Summit. How long did it take in Addis to decide that the position should remain
unchanged? What was the mood in Addis? Answer The mood in Addis
was very congenial - we believe a lot has been achieved. Although the position
remains unchanged, we can now move forward to put the matter before the General
Assembly to determine the international support for this position. We are confident
that a lot has been achieved and progress made although the position has remained
the same. Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs Private Bag
X152
Tshwane
0001 1 November 2005 | 
