1 The Future Prospects of South Africa’s Foreign PolicyEskom Convention Centre, Midrand, Gauteng 01 November 2006
2 Presentation by Ambassador LLA Mnguni of the Policy, Research and Analysis Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs
3 Content Introduction Overview of South Africa’s Foreign PolicyKey factors that affect our Foreign Policy South Africa’s Foreign Policy Towards 2020
4 Introduction SA FP: Principles & PrioritiesNational & International Factors that shape our FP Reflect on Future Prospects
5 Overview of SA FP That the interests of the African continent are central in our foreign policy; That issues of human rights are central to international relations and an understanding that they extend beyond the political, embracing the economic, social and environment; That just and lasting solutions to the problems of humankind can only come through the promotion of democracy world-wide; That considerations of justice and respect for international law should guide the relations between nations; That peace is the goal for which all nations should strive, and that conflicts should be resolved through non-violent means; That multilateralism informs our minteractions in the global sphere; and That ecobnomic development depends on growing regional and international economic integration and cooperation in an interdependent world.
6 Overview of SA FP Cont... Consolidation of the African AgendaSouth-South Cooperation North-South Dialogue Global Security Global Governance
7 Key Factors Globalisation: At the international level, our pursuit of the consolidation of the African Agenda takes place within the context of globalisation. Globalisation has become the predominant force in international relations. As a phenomenon it has wrought fundamental changes within every society. Globalisation is creating immense opportunities of growth and wealth creation for some, whilst producing an abundance of poverty for millions of others.
8 Key Factors Cont… Consolidation of the African Agenda: The formation of a Free Trade Area by 2008; The completion of negotiations of the SADC Customs Union by 2010; The completion of negotiations of the SADC Common Market by 2015; Diversification of industrial structures and exports with more emphasis on value addition across all economic sectors by 2015; Sustain export growth rate of at least 5% annually; Increase in intra-regional trade to at least 35% by 2008; and Increase in manufacturing as a percentage of GDP to 25% by 2015.
9 Key Factors Cont… South-South Cooperation: In advancing the agenda of Africa and the South, South Africa continues to actively engage and cooperate with like-minded countries in regional and sub-regional groupings of the South, such as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), G77 + China, the China-Africa Forum, the India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA), and the New Asia-Africa Strategic Partnership (NAASP).
10 Key Factors Cont… North South Dialogue: South Africa’s engagement with developed countries is premised on the notion of forging partnerships and bringing about peace, security and development in the South. This North-South dialogue is informed by the interdependence of the developed and developing countries, meaning that it is not only the latter that needs support and assistance but that the former is dependent on the poor and underdeveloped countries for its advancement and its security. Global Security: The end of the Cold-War led to a uni-polar world order with hegemonic power solely in the hands of the US. It manifests its power through unilateralism in dealing with issues of global security.
11 Key Factors Cont… Weapons of Mass Destruction: On the issue of WMD, our country remains committed to the goal of complete elimination of nuclear weapons and has on numerous occasions expressed concern over the lack of progress in realisation of this goal. South Africa is of the firm view that nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation are mutually reinforcing processes requiring continuous irreversible progress on both fronts.
12 Key Factors Cont… Nuclear Energy: Developing countries, including South Africa, believe that the basis and inalienable right of all states to develop research, production, and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes should be without any discrimination and in conformity with their respective legal obligations. They also believe that State’s choices and decisions in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear technology and its fuel cycle policies must be respected. Global Governance: With regard to the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Bretton Woods Institutions, namely the international Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, South Africa fully supports the call of the international community for fundamental reform in the governance and management of these institutions, with the view to enhance equity, transparency and efficiency
13 Key Factors Cont… Environment: It is a widely held view that the global environment will continue to experience rapid changes during the next decade. The cause of change may at times be erratic and unpredictable. The following are some of the discernible drivers and trends, in this regard, that will shape the coming decade: Natural disasters with unforeseen consequences will continue to pose a major challenge; Depletion of marine resources; and Water stresses could become a catalyst for conflict.
14 SA’S FP TOWARDS 2020 A democratic South Africa therefore, is likely to continue to be committed to the resolution of disputes with other states through peaceful means. South Africa will remain seized with international efforts to control the proliferation of conventional weapons. Through our membership of the UN, our country will continue to champion the cause of the developing world. As we move towards the year 2020, the shaping and carving of space for our national defense force will be a process that is informed and compliments these plans.
15 SA’S FP TOWARDS Cont…2020 By 2020 there will be a fundamental shift in the exercise of global power which will entail the strong role of the emerging powers within the South which South Africa is one of them. South Africa as one of the geo-strategic catalytic states in Africa and the South, needs to assist in the finalisation of sub-regional and regional integration. Therefore, SANDF needs to pro-actively position itself in terms of its role informed by our foreign policy projections. Capacity building in the field of peace and security (defense, police, and the intelligence). This will require that SANDF expands its training facilities in order to accommodate trainees of the affected national armies of the affected African countries.
16 SA FP TOWARDS Cont…2020 Building and strengthening state institutions that would be responsive to the needs of the population SANDF may consider sharing its expertise in the following areas: the navy (maritime), airforce, search and rescue operations, amongst others, with its fellow African counterparts. SANDF will need to form strategic partnerships with other key line function Departments whose expertise are necessary in carrying out its set tasks in line with its projected vision 2020.
17 SA FP TOWARDS Cont…2020 As we approach 2020, we foresee the following challenges for the SANDF. Crisis in Somalia – contestations between the Transitional Federal Authority and the Islamic courts. Sudan – slow pace of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the crisis in Darfur and the East. Ivory Coast Western Sahara – Decolonisation Eritrea-Ethiopia border dispute – impasse The looming resource based conflicts in Africa e.g. oil, diamonds, water etc Terrorism Environmental degradation and desertification Encourage civilian oversight over the military
18 THANK YOU