03 February 2000
U.N. Security Council Concludes "Month of Africa"
(Participants: follow-up is the key to helping Africa) (1220) By Judy Aita Washington File United Nations Correspondent United Nations -- As the United Nations Security council ended its month-long look at Africa January 31, the key sentiment expressed by ambassadors, African statesmen, and U.N. officials was for "follow-up" steps that can bring hope for the continent in the twenty-first century. Under the presidency and initiative of U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, the Security Council focused publicly and in private discussions on the most pressing of Africa's problems, including HIV/AIDS, refugees and displaced persons, the Burundi peace process, the war in Angola, and the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Holbrooke said that it was his hope that "when we look back on January 2000, we will consider it a turning point for Africa, the United Nations and the relationship of the United States with both." The fundamental objective of all events, Holbrooke stressed, was to "put to rest the canard that Africa does not matter, to refute the belief that the international community has one set of rules for Europe or Asia and another for Africa." In summing up the concerns of African leaders, Zambian President Frederick J.T. Chiluba said their most compelling request is for the international community to show greater understanding and patience with the DRC and other African countries as they democratize. "Yesterday Africa needed - and still needs - the assistance and cooperation of the international community," he said. "She needs them today, and she needs them in the future." "Africa in general has had a vision of promoting principles of democracy and of building democratic institutions," the president said. "Admittedly, there have been some lapses on the continent. Africa's resolve over the past 10 years, however, has been such that even when such lapses have occurred we have picked up the pieces and moved forward." Regarding the DRC, Chiluba said, its problems "extend far beyond the territorial boundaries of the country" - and a solution must necessarily address the issues of peace, security, democracy, and development of all the countries in the region. "We are especially very afraid that if the internal dialogue under (former Botswana President) Sir Ketumile Masire does not succeed, this might bring about skirmishes and start the fighting all over again," Chiluba said. Chiluba appealed to the council to meet the parties to the Lusaka Cease-fire Agreement on the DRC "half-way by expediting the process of deployment of the 5,537 military personnel under the second phase and of a peacekeeping mission under the third phase in order to build on the momentum already gathered" during the council session on the DRC. He said that the peacekeeping mission is not seen as an end in itself, but as a means to chart "a long-term, new internal political dispensation" in the DRC. The international community should also commit sufficient resources to the inter-Congolese political negotiations under the guidance of Masire. An important message from the council's session on the DRC, Chiluba said, is "that agreements and stipulations of the parties to a contract or treaty must be observed or respected." Chiluba said that African leaders hope that once peace is consolidated in the DRC and political stability prevails, the international community will provide direct investment, establish financial programs, and consider canceling the DRC's debt "to allow the country to start its economic reconstruction on a fresh note." Namibian Foreign Minster Theo-Ben Gurirab, who is the president of the General Assembly and whose country currently holds a seat on the council, said that the DRC peacekeeping operation must be sent under a Chapter VII mandate with logistical and financial resources to deal with the situation on the ground. Gurirab saluted Holbrooke and the U.S. delegation for the effort expended on managing the meeting and organizing various private consultations that brought all the interested parties together here. "As we leave this memorable encounter in New York, we must act together for the good of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa, the United Nations, and the world at large. That will, indeed, be the most precious gift that we can give to the children of the world," Gurirab said. South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said that the relationship between Africa and the international community must be built on mutual cooperation and respect "with the international community not only involving itself in Africa in times of crisis, but engaging on a long-term and sustainable basis in the development of Africa." Deputy Secretary General Louise Frechette said that "no part of the world is in greater need of our help and none has greater potential to reward our efforts if we apply them in a wise and timely manner" than Africa. "The council has spectacularly reaffirmed its long-standing engagement with Africa, and in doing so has shown a greater sense of urgency than ever before," she said. Frechette pointed out that according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, sub-Saharan Africa is likely to be the world's fastest growing region in economic terms this year and Mozambique, which only a few years ago was in the grip of a civil war, is leading the growth spurt. "So let no Afro-pessimist say, therefore, that you in the United States, or we in the secretariat, or any of the members of this council are wasting our time in trying to help Africa solve their problems," she said. The meeting devoted to AIDS in Africa gave "a new impetus" to the fight against the cruel disease that is destroying Africa, Frechette said. The discussion on Burundi also yielded clear signs of a stronger intent to overcome the current stalemate. Holbrooke also said that his other objectives in the focus on Africa was to broaden the paradigm of the council from peace and security issues to other issues such as AIDS and refugees which have a direct effect on Africa's stability and security. "The third objective of our month was unquestionably the most urgent: to help Africa's leaders solve the festering conflicts that are ripping the continent apart," the ambassador said. "For the United Nations and the United States to meet our objectives in Africa, African societies need peace. We must accept a basic fact: Africa's political, economic and social transformation flows from its people's ability to maintain peace, stability and a just order," he said. "All that we hope for Africa will not be possible if the conflicts in Angola, Burundi, the Congo, Ethiopia/Eritrea, the Sudan, Sierra Leone, and elsewhere are allowed to continue." Attending sessions during the month were U.S. Vice President Al Gore, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata, former South Africa President Nelson Mandela who is the facilitator of the Burundi talks, DRC President Laurent Kabila, Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos; Zambian President Frederick Chiluba, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, Rwanda President Pasteur Bizimungu, Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano, Namibian Foreign Minister Theo Ben-Gurirab, Organization of African Unity Secretary General Salim Salim; and Former Botswana President Sir Ketumile Masire, who is the facilitator for the inter-Congolese political negotiations. (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)
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