Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, at the United Nations Security
Council Debate on Peace and Security in Africa
18 March 2009.
Mr President,
We thank you for allowing us to participate and share our views on an
important issue of strengthening the relationship between the United Nations
(UN) and regional organisations , in particular the African Union (AU) at
today's open meeting. I also take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr
President, on the assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the
month of March. My delegation is also grateful to the Secretary-General for his
statement and participation in this meeting.
Our appreciation also goes to Mr Romano Prodi, the Chairperson of the AU-UN
Panel for introducing the report of the Panel and hope that you would continue
to accompany this process to its logical conclusion.
Mr President,
Today, the need to strengthen and enhance the relationship between the UN
and regional organisations remains important more than ever before. The reason
is because we are seeing an increased reliance on regional organisations in
addressing and resolving some of the conflicts facing us.
We are encouraged to note that over the years, the co-operation between the
UN and the AU has improved. Recent partnership between the UN and the AU in the
deployment of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is testimony to the fact
that UN co-operation and partnership with regional organisations is
crucial.
In addition, we commend the decision of the UN Security Council to adopt its
resolution approving the proposals to strengthen and provide support to the AU
Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). We hope this positive development will lead to a
greater and more systematic co-operation and partnership.
Mr President,
Notwithstanding the need for enhanced co-operation and partnership between
the UN and regional organisations, this co-operation does not seek to absolve
the Security Council of its Charter mandated responsibility in the maintenance
of international peace and security. In this context, the Security Council
remains the main international body entrusted with the primary responsibility
for the maintenance of international peace and security. South Africa believes
strongly that we should co-ordinate our collective security efforts under the
UN.
It is for this reason that, during its tenure as a non-permanent member of
the Security Council, South Africa focused on this important question of the
enhancement of the relationship between the UN and regional organisations, in
particular the AU. These efforts resulted in the adoption of resolution 1809
(2008).
Among others, resolution 1809 (2008) recognised the need to enhance the
predictability, sustainability and flexibility of financing regional
organisations when they undertake peacekeeping under the UN authority.
Furthermore, the said resolution welcomed the Secretary-General's proposal to
establish an AU-UN Panel to consider in-depth the modalities of how to support
peacekeeping operation.
Mr President,
South Africa welcomes the report of the AU-UN Panel on modalities to support
AU peacekeeping operations (A/63/666â S/2008/813).
We also commend the tireless efforts of Mr Romano Prodi, chairperson of the
Panel and other members of the Panel in preparing this report. As noted in
paragraph four of the report, the Panel consulted as widely as possible with
the United Nations, the African Union and other relevant interlocutors.
Mr President,
South Africa welcomes the bold recommendations contained in the report of
the Panel. It should, however, be noted that these recommendations reflect
work-in progress and do not provide conclusive answers on ensuring necessary,
sustainable, and predictable resources for African peacekeeping operations
undertaken by the African Union.
My delegation welcomes the panel's recommendations in particular paragraph
90 of the report relating to the use of UN-assessed contribution. The issue of
the funding of regional peacekeeping operations remains central to enhancing
and streamlining the relationship between the UN and the AU. We believe that
this recommendation is the first important step towards addressing the most
important constraint that limits Africaâs capacity to resolve conflicts on our
continent.
Mr President,
On its part, the AU remains committed to resolving African conflicts. The
operationalisation of the AU Peace and Security Council and the continental
early warning systems, post-conflict reconstruction and development, the Panel
of the Wise and the African standby force are clear indications of this resolve
and the basic framework for addressing peace and security on the continent.
This commitment is not matched by the resources as its disposal. For its
part, the United Nations, in particular the Security Council should augment its
efforts in a concrete manner.
Mr President,
The issue of capacity building is equally important. My delegation concurs
with the argument raised by the Panel on the importance of enhancing the
institutional capacity of the AU. We believe any efforts aimed at improving
this area, should build on existing mechanisms.
In this context, we commend ongoing efforts by various stakeholders aimed at
providing support to the AU in this area of capacity building. In particular,
my delegation would like to acknowledge the continuing pivotal role the
European Union (through the new Africa Peace Facility) is playing in enhancing
early response mechanism of the African-led mediation and peace support
operations.
My delegation fully supports the panelâs view that its recommendations "are
only an initial phase in a long-term process of developing and supporting AU on
capacity". In this regard, South Africa endorses the panelâs recommendation
that "a joint UN/AU team should be established to examine the detailed
modalities to support the recommendations made in the report". We share the
views of Mr Lamamra, the Commissioner of Peace and security of the AU and thank
him for being here.
Mr President,
In conclusion, we are pleased that the Security Council will adopt a
Presidential Statement (PRST) that contains language addressing common and
mutual challenges and opportunities facing both the UN and AU. On its side,
South Africa supports this statement but also ready to lend its support to the
common endeavours aimed at further enhancing cooperation between the UN and
regional organisations, in particular the AU. We hope the Secretary-General
will continue his efforts in this direction.
I thank you.
For more information, contact:
Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459 3787
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
18 March 2009
