SA Foreign Policy: SA Institute for International Affairs briefing

Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
15 October 2004
SA FOREIGN POLICY: SA INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BRIEFING

Acting Chairperson: Mr M Ramgobin (ANC)

Documents handed out
Tim Hughes' book: "Composers, conductors and players - harmony and discord in SA foreign policy"
SAIIA: Outline of NEPAD and Governance Project
SAIIA PowerPoint presentation

SUMMARY
Members were briefed by the SA Institute for International Affairs (SAIIA) on key players in foreign policy, and heard a brief introduction on the 'NEPAD and Governance Project'. Members then questioned the role of the Committee regarding policy formulation; how SAIIA viewed the South African President's institutionalisation of policy, and the Committee's position on situations in Burundi and Zimbabwe.

MINUTES
The Acting Chairperson announced that the permanent Committee Chairperson, Mr D Sithole, was away in Uganda. The representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in South Africa, Ms Andrea Ostheimer briefly introduced the Foundation, which was one of six German political foundations set up after the Second World War to provide civic education.

Mr Tim Hughes, a Parliamentary Research Fellow, discussed three aspects of SA foreign policy, namely his four research case studies that exemplified the roles of foreign policy actors, South Africa's role in the conceptualisation of New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), and its role to Zimbabwe and the Middle East.

The values that had underpinned the policy since 1994 had been contested by the dominant powers in the global environment. South Africa's foreign policy had been driven by ideas and there had been very little institutionalisation before. It was a situation of flux, transition and ad hoc decision-making.

Under President Mbeki, South Africa had reinforced its vision into a situation of policy formulation that had been institutionalised. He viewed issues organically and holistically, but this could not be separated from his desire to change global relations.

The Cabinet had played an important role in approving particular positions, from protocols to interventions such as South Africa's position on the war on Iraq. The ANC National Executive Committee had also been an important element in the conceptualisation, formulation and understanding of policy.

It had been difficult for the Department of Foreign Affairs to achieve successful transformation and sustain a new focus. The ANC had been criticised for maintaining close relations with countries like Cuba that had supported the organisation during the anti-apartheid struggle. At congresses, ANC leaders would refer to fraternal ties with Zanu-PF, Frelimo and the MPLA.

Members very seldom dealt with tough issues around foreign policy. There had only been a few briefings on NEPAD, Zimbabwe and the Middle East. Business did not play a consistent role in the policy, but its contributions had been issue-specific. Business enjoyed formal and informal relationships with the President.

'Thinktank' policy institutes were resourceful, national assets but were underused by Parliament. They were in 'better shape' than in 1994, and provided many free services. There had been an expansion in their funding and their roles had been better defined.

South Africa had been responsible for drafting various missions on the sale of 'conflict diamonds'. Two Department officials had been responsible for the drafting of policy positions. There had been a need for greater involvement for NGOs, the media and business. NGOs had highlighted the plight of ordinary Angolans, Sierra Leoneans and Congolese, that was linked to the mining of conflict diamonds. No South African NGO had played a role in the mediation of conflict diamond disputes.

The ANC had played a productive role in mediating in the conflict in Zimbabwe, especially during the 2002 Zimbabwean elections. It had directly engaged both the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Zanu-PF. South Africa's position on Zimbabwe has created considerable public debate about foreign policy. South Africa's missions in the Middle East were also very crucial.

NEPAD had been a success for South African foreign policy, especially with President's role in galvanising and maintaining support within Africa. Governance was the most important factor to be transformed in NEPAD.

The SAIIA 'NEPAD and Governance Project' had facilitated dialogue with civil society around NEPAD, and formed partnership with local organisations. It also presented seminars in other Parliaments on NEPAD, and had produced research. This Project had some flexibility in the type of research conducted on NEPAD-related issues.

Discussion
Ms M Njobe (ANC) asked how long Mr Hughes had been studying the functions of the Committee. Did Mr Hugh agree with the institutionalisation of foreign policy under President Mbeki? What did he mean by the Committee not having defined its policy role well?

Mr Hughes responded that one of the successes of the current Presidency was a more structured co-ordination policy. President Mbeki's tenure could be distinguished from former President Mandela's tenure by more sustainable institutional capacity.

Ms Njobe asked why Mr Hughes continuously made reference to Zimbabwe. Mr Hughes replied that as Zimbabwe was a neighbouring country with vital trade ties, other countries looked to South Africa for leadership. The issue had pre-occupied many South Africans.

Mr S Huang (ANC) asked Mr Hughes to explain what he meant by the need for internal restructuring within the Committee.

Ms M Maunye (ANC) asked for an elaboration on the issue of Burundi and Sudan. Was he happy with the dialogue South Africa enjoyed with those two countries? What was his opinion on the Committee's role?

Mr Hughes suggested Members engage in a more detailed manner, but they had adopted a sensible position on the Burundi issue. They could be more deeply engaging with the Department and Parliament on this. Members should specialise and make better use of available resources.

Ms M Njobe (ANC) asked him to elaborate on the Department's 'incomplete transformation' and 'lack of focus'. It was unclear whether he had referred to the Director-General or the whole Department's role in policy implementation.

Mr Hughes answered that the transformation within the Department had never been completed. Oversight had to go beyond questioning the Department's goals of representivity, and into qualitative questioning of the Department's missions.

The meeting was adjourned.