Developments in the Great Lakes Region: Achieving Stability and Security

1. BRIEFING ON DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION 31 OCTOBER 2001

2. The 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

3. Political 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

4. 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

5. Economic 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

6. Developments in the Democratic Republic of 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

7. Developments in the Democratic Republic of 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

8. The 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

9. 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

10. The 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

11. Developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo • After his inauguration on 26 January 2001, President Joseph Kabila restarted the process of the implementation of the LCA

12. The 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 15October 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

13. The 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

14. The 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

15. The 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)

16. Deployment 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

17. 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

18. Withdrawal 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

19. 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

20. Internal 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

21. Internal 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

22. 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

23. South 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

24. South African Involvement • 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

25. Practical 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

26. Practical Steps for Future South African Involvement 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

27. Practical Steps for Future South African Involvement 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

28. Practical Steps for Future South African Involvement General • Actively encourage the withdrawal of foreign forces from the DRC

29. 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

30. Developments 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

31. Developments 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

32. South African Involvement • 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

33. Support 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

34. Support 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

35. Developments 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

36. Developments in Rwanda • On anational 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

37. Developments 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

38. South African Involvement • 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

39. CONT • 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

40. Support 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

41. Developments 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

42. South African Involvement • 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

43. The 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

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