Island stance rings in new era

2002-07-04 14:39

Durban - The banning of Madagascar from the soon-to-be-launched African Union (AU) clearly indicates a new way of doing things on the continent, Deputy President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

"The forward march towards good governance and democracy is unstoppable and irreversible," he told the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Council of Ministers in Durban.

Zuma also said the AU was gearing to deal firmly with conflict on the continent.

The AU is to be formally launched in Durban next week to replace the 38-year-old OAU.

OAU officials earlier in the week announced that Madagascar had been barred from joining the new organisation. Assistant secretary-general Said Djinnit said the OAU's central organ reached this decision last week.

It resolved that the December 16 election which pitted Marc Ravalomanana against the incumbent Didier Ratsiraka had not resulted in a legally constituted government for Madagascar.

Ravalomanana has claimed victory in the poll and the presidency, but this has been disputed by Ratsiraka and troops loyal to the former president.

Djinnit said Madagascar's seat on the AU would remain vacant until a legitimate government was elected in that country.

Zuma on Thursday said: "The decision of the OAU central organ... with regard to Madagascar is a clear indication of a new way of doing things and Africa's commitment to good governance."

He said the OAU had laid a good foundation for the AU to foster unity and cohesion on confronting the continent's challenges.

"One of these challenges is the pockets of conflict in some parts of the continent, which the AU is gearing to deal with firmly and resolutely for the good of the continent and all of us."

Further evidence of Africa's commitment to good governance was the peer review mechanism that would operate under the New Partnership for Africa's Development, Zuma said.

This mechanism is aimed at compelling African states to practice governance so that they can benefit from the Nepad development partnership between African nations and developed northern countries.

Zuma said the unequal power relationship between countries of the south and the north was a continuing concern.

The gap between richer and poorer nations had been widened by globalisation, with Africa's share of the world trade running below two percent.

Zuma said Nepad was a response to this challenge, and would seek to alleviate poverty and enhance economic growth.

Africa would continue working for the cancellation of the foreign debt burden poor countries, and intended taking "extraordinary measures" to bring direct foreign investment to Africa.

"The only development programme through which we can negate the marginalisation of Africa ... is Nepad," Zuma said.

Firm foundations had been laid to put Africa on a new path.

"How can we fail? We cannot fail. Ours is to succeed and accomplish the mission," Zuma said.

- SAPA