S van der Merwe: SA Observer Mission to DRC

6 July 2006

Ambassador Ngombane
Distinguished Members of the Observer Mission to the DRC
Ladies and Gentlemen

Twelve years ago, on 27 April 1994, the historic South African elections
that ushered in our democracy were held. Most of us in this room were part of
this event and perhaps we will re-live this moment as we prepare to depart to
observe the DRC elections.

In the colourful observations of one writer:

“Many powerful images characterise South Africa's first democratic election.
The turnout was huge and very long queues developed at voting stations. But the
atmosphere among voters was exhilarating, even festive. The image of all South
Africa's people waiting patiently to vote, caught the world's imagination. It
provided a new picture of South Africa - so different from the divided queues
of apartheid.”

“There were poignant moments. The beaming, joyful smiles of our leaders, for
the first time casting their votes. At midnight, on Wale Street, a crowd
gathered to watch the solemn lowering of the old South African Republic flag,
to the tune of the anthem 'Die Stem', and raised a great cheer as the new flag
and our new anthem replaced them.”

I am very pleased to be here today to address you as we prepare ourselves
for what is sure to be an historic adventure in support of the people of the
Democratic Republic of Congo.

It has been ten years since we as a government first became involved in the
DRC peace process. Our involvement in the DRC peace process dates back to the
latter part of the nineteen-nineties, when then President Mandela and Deputy
President Mbeki took part in the negotiations on board the SAS Outeniqua with a
view to brokering peace in that country.

We have come a long way since then and we remain committed to assist, within
our means, in contributing to the peaceful elections in the DRC. As you are
aware, South Africa's efforts to assist in the resolution of the conflict and
in its subsequent peace process culminated in the signing of the Pretoria
Global and All-Inclusive Agreement on 16 December 2002.

Our government has been an ardent supporter of the transitional process as
well as the Transitional Government of the DRC as it has grappled with the
implementation of the various elements of the Agreement, and of course
importantly the conducting of free and fair elections.

For the DRC, as was for South Africa, the road to peace and democracy has
indeed been one of bitter struggle. Our recent celebration of ten years of
democracy and then the celebration of our democratic constitution served to
remind us of our hard-earned freedom. We have encountered many obstacles as we
worked towards our first democratic elections. Who will forget the dramatic
storming of the World Trade Centre by the armoured vehicles of the ultra right,
and the tragic assassination of Chris Hani at such a sensitive time in the
negotiation process?

We understand that the implementation of democracy does not happen overnight
but is a difficult, though not insurmountable process - provided the will
exists.

The great African author Ben Okri wrote that "our suffering has not
destroyed us, but has only served to make us stronger". What is happening in
the DRC is an inspiration to the rest of the continent and has served to
confirm that nothing can stand in the way of a nation determined to fulfil its
destiny.

The DRC is on the verge of rewriting its history and the Congolese people
can see in the successful outcome of the elections, the peace they had been
hankering after since their country's independence from colonial powers over
forty years ago.

In her budget vote speech early this year, Minister Dlamini Zuma quoted from
a moving letter Patrice Lumumba, wrote to his wife entitled "History will one
day have its say". That day is now nearer than ever! We as South Africans can
feel fortunate to be part of the elections that will ensure that the Congolese
people live the dream that Lumumba had for his country.

As we go into the DRC to support the Congolese with their elections, we do
so in the firm belief that our future is inextricably linked to the future of
the African continent and that of our neighbours in Southern Africa.

The success of the DRC elections will inspire more hope for the people of
our continent and give further momentum to what our President Mbeki termed as a
"confluence of encouraging possibilities".

However, we do not intend nor do we profess the ability to find solutions
for the DRC. The ultimate power to turn things around in the DRC lies with the
Congolese people themselves. In a speech he made in 1966, Amilcar Cabral
entitled "The Weapon of Theory" he contends that:

“We … know that on the political level our own reality - however fine and
attractive the reality of others may be - can only be transformed by detailed
knowledge of it, by our own efforts, by our own sacrifices.”

Therefore, “… however great the similarity between our various cases …,
national liberation and social revolution are not exportable commodities; they
are … the outcome of local and national elaboration …”

It is within this context that we understand our co-operation with the DRC.
Increased collaboration between our two countries is a demonstration of our
commitment to Africa, which is a key element of our foreign policy. In turn, we
hope that anchoring our foreign policy on an African Agenda will bring us
closer to the African Renaissance.

As a country and people, we continue to play our part in ensuring that there
is an enabling environment for free and fair elections in the DRC. As part of
the South African Observer Mission your task is to continue to assist the
Congolese people in reconstructing and developing their country.

In this regard, we need to take advantage of and build on the growing
interconnectivity amongst our people and nurture the realisation that we are
all part of the same race, the human race.

Over the next two days you will be briefed on the substantive and logistical
matters pertaining to the elections. Your task will not be easy, as this is an
election in many ways like no other. Your support in this mission will go a
long way towards the realisation of the vision of a creating a better Africa
and a better world, and we in government and the department of foreign affairs
thank you for your willingness to participate.

The briefing by Ambassador Ngombane regarding the political situation on the
ground will I am sure be highly instructive. His experience in promoting
bilateral relations between our countries will provide insight into our state
of preparedness to support free and fair elections in the DRC.

On the other hand, the Independent Electoral Commission will draw on its
extensive experience in conducting elections in South Africa, in other
countries on the continent and beyond. The IEC will also assist in
familiarising you with the legal and electoral observation practices that you
will need to be aware of and observe.

For its part, the South African National Defence Force has done a fantastic
job in providing so many parts to the operation including delivering the ballot
papers.

Of course our South African National Defence Force also provides effective
support to our foreign policy on the continent by providing its expertise in
peacekeeping operations. Their security assessment of the situation on the
ground will therefore be useful to put you in the picture about what to expect
once you arrive in the DRC.

In addition to all of the above, we must of course remain cognisant and
sensitive to the role played by others in assisting the Congolese in holding
the first democratic elections in over forty years. We therefore welcome the
support of the African region and of international partners in the
implementation of development goals in the DRC.

As government, we are convinced that the outcome of these elections will
mark the beginning of a bright new future for the people of the Congo.

On behalf of government, I wish you a safe trip and we look forward to your
successful return.

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
17 July 2006