The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) remains committed to the promotion of the African Agenda, particularly regional peace, security and stability, as the key determinants for socio-economic development on the Continent.
Through the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund, the department has in the last financial year 2011/12, supported various initiatives across the Continent aimed at realising the objectives as set out above.
The funded projects are being monitored and evaluated on a continuous basis to ensure that the objectives of the Fund are achieved and that the finances are applied in the manner for which they were intended.
The following are some of the projects that were supported through the Fund in the course of the 2011 to 2012 financial year:
1. R15 million to the International Atomic Energy Agency for the improvement of veterinary laboratory capacities in Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, Botswana , Zambia, Mozambique and Namibia.
This is a newly implemented project. The first Oversight Committee Meeting was held in July 2012, where our Mission in Vienna was representing the department. The main objective of the project is to support Sub-Saharan African countries affected by trans-boundary diseases (TADs) through building and enhancing capacities for animal disease diagnosis in a sustainable manner.
2. R13.5 million for an International Diplomatic Training Programme at the DIRCO Diplomatic Academy. Countries that benefitted include South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Burundi, Rwanda, Mauritius and Comoros.
The International School of the Diplomatic Academy of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has since September 2011 hosted three of four diplomatic training programmes on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD), has trained 89 participants to date, and held one programme on Southern African Development Community (SADC)Regional Integration with 33 participants.
3. R100 million towards supporting the economic recovery of Cuba following the 2008 hurricanes: This project has not yet been implemented as modalities for implementation are being finalised by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Funds have not been disbursed therefore.
4. R5 million for South Africa’s participation in SADC and African Union (UN) Observer Missions during the financial year. Observer Missions were sent for the elections in Seychelles, Zambia and the DRC:
South Africa plays a leading role in peace and security activities at regional and continental levels in operations, strategically and financially. This is borne out of our foreign policy objectives, which promote regional peace, security and stability as the key determinants for socio-economic development, and as a critical factor for regional integration. As part of this, South Africa takes part in AU and SADC Election Observer Missions to help ensure that the elections are conducted in a conducive environment and to deepen democracy on the Continent.
5. R28,5 million to transport humanitarian assistance donated by SADC Member States to the people of Somalia:
During the 31st Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held from 17 to 18 August 2011 in Luanda, Angola, SADC member states agreed to contribute much needed aid to Somalia in an effort to assist the famine affected people of Somalia. As part of the SADC aid contribution to Somalia, Angola pledged to contribute 6649 tons of food and non-food items, Mozambique pledged 65 tons of food, Namibia pledged 242 tons of food and Tanzania pledged 503 tons of food and non-food items. South Africa offered to transport all the pledged aid to Somalia. The project is in line with the ARF objective of rendering humanitarian assistance to African countries in need.
6. R126 million to assist the DRC to undertake successful Presidential and Legislative elections in November 2011:
South Africa’s foreign policy is anchored on the promotion of human rights, democracy, good governance and the pursuit of the African agenda. We play a leading role in peace-making, peace-maintenance and facilitating development at regional and continental levels. Our objectives are at all times geared towards the promotion of regional peace, security and stability as the key determinants for socio-economic development, and as a critical factor for regional integration. As part of this, South Africa took a decision to assist the DRC to undertake successful Presidential and Legislative elections in November 2011.
Enquiries:
Mr Clayson Monyela
Spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Cell: 082 884 5974
