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Africa

Meeting of the Socialist International Africa Committee, Maputo, Mozambique

03-04 September 1999

Maputo, Mozambique, was the venue for the Africa Committee on 3-4 September, hosted by Frelimo, and chaired by Ousmane Tanor Dieng, Chair of the Committee and Minister of State, Socialist Party, Senegal. The meeting centred on two main themes: 'Advancing the social democratic agenda in Africa' and 'Contributing to the resolution of conflicts in the region'.

Opening the meeting, SI Secretary General Luis Ayala drew inspiration from the positive developments in Mozambique and reaffirmed the commitment of the International to continuing its efforts to reinforce democracy in the region and to voicing more and more strongly the real concerns of Africa through its growing presence on the continent.

Ousmane Tanor Dieng reflected on the challenges of globalisation facing the African continent: "The direction in which the present globalisation process is heading demonstrates that an unfettered market can have perverse effects for the general well-being of nations and humankind in general", he asserted. The Committee had to examine political, economic, social, cultural, regional and local issues in order to fully address the concerns of Africans today, he said.

President Joaquim Chissano welcomed the delegates, stating that the Committee's discussions on peace, democracy, development and globalisation were themes of enormous relevance and of current importance to the lives of African citizens. Mozambique, the President continued, had succeeded in moving forward from difficult periods in its history, and, ahead of the second multiparty elections on 3-4 December of this year, democracy was a truly irreversible process in his country.

Manuel Tomé, General Secretary of Frelimo, introduced the first main theme, outlining the key areas of concern when considering the furthering of social democracy in Africa: the history of the continent; the constitution of nation states; the role of parties in power and those in opposition; and, the freedom of expression and of the press.

As a result of its discussions the Committee issued the 'Maputo Declaration' which addressed the principal concerns for Africa for democracy, peace, development and globalisation. The Declaration took into account the importance of many factors, including that of democracy for socio-economic and cultural development, of strategies for good governance, and of the need for tolerance, freedom of association, information, expression of all citizens and of civil society as a whole, as well as the acceptance of the principle of democratic alternation of power, and for dialogue and tolerance. The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to collective solidarity and encouraged 'the member parties of the Socialist International, both in Africa and elsewhere in the world, to adopt policies aimed at alleviating the problems of their peoples so that they may develop their potential in a peaceful environment and in which institutions work properly'.

The Declaration expressed its deep concern at the situation of armed conflicts taking place on the African continent and lent its solidarity to 'all the peoples of Africa who are currently denied the opportunity to live in peace', adding that 'the international community must assume its responsibility to promote and safeguard a culture of peace'. The Committee appealed to all its members to promote concrete actions and proposals to further integration in the region and undertook to continue its initiatives to prevent conflicts, to support its members suffering the consequences and to send missions aimed at contributing to their peaceful resolution.

The Committee closely examined the constraints that hinder development in Africa, noting that 'globalisation is an irreversible and unavoidable process which we must all be prepared for... African governments need to acquire the skills to keep up with the pace of development and the advent of globalisation'. Due to the widespread competition between multinationals, it was felt that Africa had remained on the sidelines of development. Therefore, the Committee made a number of recommendations which included creating conditions for agreements between governments and influential social groups, promoting quality services for healthcare and education to prevent AIDS and so protect the human resources of the countries in the region. In terms of economic stimulus, internal and external capital investments should be promoted, and policies combatting poverty and destitution should be prioritised. Furthermore, 'African countries should make efforts to equip and utilise regional and sub-regional economic, social and cultural organisations with a view to ensuring their more active and dynamic integration', as well as nations working together to achieve the cancellation of foreign debt.

The Committee also heard reports on specific national situations, including Angola, Cape Verde, Gabon, Malawi, South Africa and Kenya. Having received a report on events in Angola, the Committee adopted a resolution which considered that Jonas Savimbi, by his behaviour, as was recognised by both the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the South African Development Council (SADC), had ceased to be a valid interlocutor in finding a solution to the conflict in Angola. The Committee expressed its solidarity with the Angolan people and 'with their efforts to strengthen the democratic authority of the State through the establishment of peace and the indispensable political and diplomatic support'. The resolution declared the Committee's support for and solidarity with the Government of Angola in its efforts to affirm its authority in the whole territory and called on all the member parties of the Socialist International to extend the humanitarian support which might be requested by the Angolan government.

The Committee adopted a resolution in continued support for Alpha Condé, Secretary General of the Assembly of the People of Guinea, RPG, which once again called for his release, so establishing a climate of cooperation which was indispensable in order to redress the economic situation of the country.

The Committee also agreed unanimously to the holding, in 2000, of a Socialist International Conference for Peace in Africa.

List of participants

 

 


MAPUTO DECLARATION

Original: Portuguese

Democracy

The Socialist International Africa Committee,

Aware of how important democracy is for the socio-economic and cultural development of the peoples of the African continent,

Aware that the participation of all sectors of society contributes strategies for good governance,

Having reflected on the need to adopt policies which ensure good governance in order to achieve stability nationally, regionally and throughout the African continent,

Aware of the need for tolerance, freedom of association, information, expression, of all citizens and of civil society as a whole,

Convinced that democracy must reflect the collective will of citizens expressed by means of an informed and voluntary vote which legitimates it,

Aware that to ensure the stability of the continent, African leaders must accept the principle of democratic alternation of power,

Considering the diversity in Africa and the specific situations which exist in each country of the region, the parties of the Socialist International reassert their willingness to strengthen democracy everywhere, because maintaining democracy is the only way to ensure economic and social development with respect for individual and collective human rights,

Convinced that democracy must be supported by dialogue and tolerance to be an irreversible process, and that the members of the Socialist International Africa Committee must develop the practice of democracy within their own parties and disseminate it throughout society.

The SI Africa Committee:

Reaffirms its commitment to collective solidarity so that it can contribute as a whole to the democratisation of Africa, and

Encourages the member parties of the Socialist International, both in Africa and elsewhere in the world, to adopt policies aimed at alleviating the problems of their peoples so that they may develop their potential in a peaceful environment and in which institutions work properly.

Peace

Having examined the current situation of the African continent in detail, particularly with regard to the armed conflicts which are taking place, the Committee expresses its deep concern, underlining that the absence of peace violates the most fundamental human rights in the African continent.

The Committee expresses its solidarity with all the peoples of Africa who are currently denied the opportunity to live in peace. It condemns any violation of decisions taken by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the United Nations, and the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) as regards the conflict in Angola by Jonas Savimbi and his followers.

In this case and in that of the Great Lakes, serious dialogue between the parties is the only way to overcome the crisis.

The international community must assume its responsibility to promote and safeguard a culture of peace.

The Committee strongly condemns all those who directly or indirectly contribute to perpetuating war in the continent. In the knowledge that only dialogue and tolerance can lead to the peace which the African continent so deeply desires, the Socialist International is ready to cooperate in any way which may be necessary to achieve the consensus needed.

In the context of preparations for the SI Congress in Paris, which will add new impetus to the Socialist International, the Africa Committee will make concrete proposals aimed at contributing effectively to the prevention and resolution of conflicts in Africa.

These proposals will be aimed both at ensuring better identification and recognition of the problems and at spurring governments and international organisations into action.

Finally, the Socialist International Africa Committee appeals to all its members to promote concrete actions and events which will contribute to promoting a culture of peace and integration among their peoples. In the meantime, it undertakes to continue its initiatives to prevent conflicts, in support of its members who are currently suffering the consequences, and to send missions aimed at contributing to the peaceful resolution of these conflicts.

Development and Globalisation

The Committee closely examined the constraints that hinder development in Africa and noted that globalisation is an irreversible and unavoidable process which we must all be prepared for.

Widespread and ruthless competition between multinationals to dominate the economic markets of the world affects the development of Africa, which continues to remain on the sidelines.

African governments need to acquire the skills to keep up with the pace of development and the advent of globalisation.

Therefore, the Africa Committee recommends that:

1. Objective conditions should be created for contracts to be drawn up between governments and influential social groups who can contribute decisively to the development of their countries.

2. Quality services should be promoted in the areas of healthcare and education to prevent AIDS and protect the human resources of the countries in the region.

3. Internal and external capital investments should be promoted in order to stimulate national entrepreneurship and the private sector.

4. Internal production capacity should be created and stimulus provided for the formation of a middle class which is capable of ensuring sustainable development.

5. The parties of the Socialist International should prioritise the adoption of policies to combat poverty and destitution.

6. African countries should make efforts to equip and utilise regional and sub-regional economic, social and cultural organisations with a view to ensuring their more active and dynamic integration.

7. African countries should work together to achieve the cancellation of foreign debt, which is the main factor restricting their economic and social development.

The Committee is aware that the future of Africa will require investment in agriculture, which is the main source of wealth for most African countries, and in other resources, leading to a level of industrialisation which will allow them to process their products and set fairer prices for their goods in international markets.


RESOLUTION ON ANGOLA

Original: Portuguese

The Socialist International Africa Committee, meeting in Maputo on 3-4 September 1999,

Considers that Jonas Savimbi, by his behaviour, as was recognised by both the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the South African Development Council (SADC), has ceased to be a valid interlocutor in finding a solution to the conflict in Angola;

Expresses its solidarity with the Angolan people and with their efforts to strengthen the democratic authority of the State through the establishment of peace and the indispensable political and diplomatic support; and

Declares its support for and solidarity with the Government of Angola in its efforts to affirm its authority in the whole territory and calls on all the member parties of the Socialist International to extend the humanitarian support which may be requested by the Angolan government.


RESOLUTION ON ALPHA CONDE

The Socialist International Africa Committee, meeting in Maputo on 3-4 September 1999,

in view of the motions on the release of Alpha Condé, Secretary General of the Assembly of the People of Guinea, RPG, adopted at the meetings in Dakar on 25-26 January 1999, and of the Africa Committee in Bamako on 29-30 March 1999;

in view of the fact that the Guinean authorities, having freed Alpha Condé's co-detainees, pursue Alpha Condé for "attempt against the security of the State";

in view of the imminence of a trial, the preparations for which do not guarantee the rights of defence:

Renews its motion for the release of Alpha Condé, arbitrarily detained since 16 December 1998;

Calls on the Guinean authorities to facilitate, by this measure, the establishment of a climate of cooperation which is indispensable in order to redress the economic situation of the country.


STATEMENT ON EAST TIMOR

The Socialist International Africa Committee, meeting in Maputo on 3-4 September 1999,

Congratulates the people of East Timor and the Timorese National Resistance Council, CNRT, for the overwhelming victory of the independence option in the referendum organised by the United Nations;

Calls on the UN to maintain its commitment in the self-determination and independence process by guaranteeing the security in the territory by the deployment of peace-keeping forces;

Calls upon the Indonesian authorities to respect the democratically expressed will of the people of East Timor and to immediately release the leader of the Timorese resistance, Xanana Gusmão.


LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Chair of the Committee
Ousmane Tanor Dieng
(PS, Senegal)

Secretary General of the SI
Luis Ayala

ANGOLA
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, MPLA

Paulo T. Jorge
João Gimolieca
José Condesse de Carvalho

BELGIUM
Socialist Party, PS

Etienne Godin

BENIN
Social Democratic Party, PSD

Théophile Hounkponou

BOTSWANA
Botswana National Front, BNF

Thato Ketsitlile
Kopano Lekoma

BURKINA FASO
Party for Democracy and Progress, PDP

Henri Guissou

CAPE VERDE
African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde, PAICV

Silvino da Luz

DENMARK
Social Democratic Party

Steen Christensen

EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Convergence for Social Democracy, CPDS

Celestino Bacale

FRANCE
Socialist Party, PS

Guy Labertit

GABON
Gabonese Party for Progress, PGP
Auguste Nguembyt

ITALY
Democrats of the Left, DS
Raffaella Chiodo

KENYA
Social Democratic Party
Charity Ngilu

MALAWI
AFORD
Egbert Chibambo

MALI
African Party for Solidarity and Justice, ADEMA-PASJ
Mama Lacine Traoré

MOROCCO
Socialist Union of Popular Forces, USFP
Abdessalam Eddabbagh

MOZAMBIQUE
Frelimo Party
Joaquim Chissano
Manuel Tomé
Amélia Matos
Sergio Vieira
Magid Osman
José Marrengula
Isabel Nkavadeka
Paulina Mateus
Ma Angela Manjate
Julieta Langa

PORTUGAL
Socialist Party, PS
Filipe Costa

SENEGAL
Socialist Party of Senegal
Papa Amath Dieng

SOUTH AFRICA
African National Congress, ANC
Alfred Nzo
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakulu

SPAIN
Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, PSOE
Ricard Torrell

SWEDEN
Swedish Social Democratic Party, SAP
Birgitta Silén
Bo Krogvig

TUNISIA
Constitutional Democratic Assembly, RCD
Hachmi Amri

ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front, ZANU-PF
G. Morongwe

Office of SI President
Michel Thauvin

Socialist International Women, SIW
Aminata Mbenge Ndiaye

Party of European Socialists, PES
Jean François Vallin

SI Secretariat
Latifa Perry
Harriet Ogborn

 



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