E249, NEW WING

Sovereign Nations and states including South Africa relate and operate within insecure international environment often influenced by particular world perspectives. (Perspectives in world politics)

The politics of Power and Security emanating from a state centric process of foreign policy formulation and expression, where the state and its leadership believe in the primacy of power in world politics as the primary determinant of interstate relations. The axiom being "might is right".

The politics of dominance and dependence which locates the state within the global structure where the real actors with real power are the dominant social classes and economic interests, that is, the rich and powerful nations. An unequitable center/periphery type of relationship. The Colonial and the apartheid systems in South Africa both exploited and impoverished the rural peripheries.

The politics of interdependence and transnational relations, where the state allows its foreign policy making process to be penetrated and influenced by various states and non-state actors. If this system is not well managed by the leadership it has the potential to cost the state control of its territory and external sovereignty as conflicting interests intervene to complicate the process. South Africa has since 1994 opted for this complex political process, and international observers suggest strong vigilance against the supranational actors and multinational corporations, whose tendency is to override state authority to infuse policies which entail dimunition of state sovereignty. Some seem to think that the open ended and unconditional process of ASGISA/GPSA external recruitments lends itself to the prospect.

Since the end of the Cold War, the world is again pre-occupied with the questions of the unstable global and national economies, regional wars, peace and stability, security, justice and socio economic order.

It is against this canvas that South Africa was able to develop and navigate an inclusive foreign policy, commit the leadership and resources to specific programmes to contribute toward a better world. This include:

1.  Strengthening relations among the countries of the South.

2.  Consolidating the Africa agenda.

3. North South Dialogue and

4. Global governance: Socio-economic, political and security issues.

However, the pendulum of World Affairs threatens to swing in an unusual direction. More difficult and complex challenges are gathering like storm in the international horizon, and this may undoubtedly require partial but radical appraisal of our worldview and ideology, the character of our state and decision makers, diplomacy, international objectives and power relations. For instance:

• Zimbabwe is going to remain a test for the leadership of South Africa, SADC and AU for many years to come. It is not only about the elections and new leadership of Zimbabwe, but it also about economic relief, recovery and reform. It is beyond the political dialogue between ZANU PF and the MDC only, but is it now about the involvement of the entire Zimbabwean civil society and institutions to find a lasting political settlement. It is about the political and economic sovereignty of the peoples of Africa. On the other hand further delays and human suffering in Zimbabwe may see the UN Security Council invoking its resolution on International Humanitarian Intervention which overrides sovereignty and legal documents. Once this happens South Africa and SADC will be rendered powerless.

• Millions of the World's poor are knuckling under the rising food prices and grinding poverty (by the way this is the stuff the revolutions are made of). In response to this food crisis the World Bank has proposed a "new deal" to relief the poorest nations. It is therefore incumbent on the leadership of South Africa, SADC and the AU to interpret and make this new deal a reality for the people of Africa.

• Just like poverty, AIDS and international conflicts, global warming and climate change are threatening human annihilation in an unprecedented scale. Whatever the outcome, South Africa and its leadership should be seen to be among the nations that are waging the war to minimize the effects and impact of global warming, climate change and AIDS on human and planet life. That is another challenge for our decision-makers.

• A strong global movement is afoot demanding that the Parliaments of the World involve themselves in critical matters of world politics that hitherto have been the domain of the executive. For instance International conflict resolution is often left to Presidents and to Ministers. It is now opportune for the Parliament of South Africa to engage with the Parliaments of Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Israel, Palestine, China, The Tibetan Government in exile, Sudan, Morocco, Sri Lanka, etc on specific matters of conflict resolution and peace building.

• In the face of aggressive expansion of the transnational markets of China and India, particularly in Africa. This calls for massive economic reforms on the part of Africa including South Africa. A wide scale participatory economic system should enhance these markets for the wellbeing of millions in Africa. The alternative is foreign economic dominance, permanent underdevelopment and loss of sovereignty for the nations of Africa including South Africa.

• Xenophobia must not only be strongly condemned but it is time that the Department of Foreign Affairs together with the Department of Home Affairs champion a tangible programme to deal with this issue in a holistic manner.

• The possible change in the US Presidential leadership in November 2008 will not result in a significant shift from the fundamentals that inform the US foreign policy, that is primarily national security, international peace, democracy and the free market. However, the new administration will alter the Bush doctrine, and will present the world with a different international political terrain. The leadership of South Africa should therefore anticipate readily the implications and challenges of the potential changes within the US Administration.

The IFP expresses its appreciation to the Minister, Deputy Ministers and the entire officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs for their continuing commitment to a better Africa and a better world.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact: Mr Ben Skosana MP: 082 887 2779
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470