SA Foreign Policy & African Drivers: Opinion
A refreshing approach to the environment
As published by The New Age on 6 September 2011
A truly inspiring and uplifting event with international ramifications took place in Johannesburg on Thursday evening, 1 September. Between 28 November and 8 December this year delegations from countries that are members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will gather in Durban for the 17th Conference of the Parties (more commonly called COP17). Here they will attempt to hammer out an agreement on how to deal with the carbon emissions into the atmosphere that are resulting in the changes in the world’s climate that are already having catastrophic effects in Africa and around the globe.
Oprah and Michelle inspire youth
As published by The New Age on 1 July 2011
Last week South Africa was visited by two remarkable women, American women, black women. Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States, and Oprah Winfrey, recently retired as a world-renowned talk show hostess for 25 years.
What worked here isn’t applicable to conflict in Africa
As published by The New Age on 7 June 2011
There is a long-held view in South Africa that the way the political problems were solved in this country between 1990 – when Nelson Mandela was released – and 1994 with the transition to full democracy, is a process applicable to all situations of internal conflict in Africa.
The evidence has been accumulating for some years that this is not the case. Unless the one factor that laid a basis for success in South Africa’s successful negotiated transition is present, the South African model will not apply. That factor is the willingness of the opposing parties to negotiate with each other in good faith.
There’s no knowing in an interconnected world
As published in The New Age 31 May 2011
At a recent public discussion of events unfolding in North Africa and the Middle East, Na’eem Jeenah of the Afro Middle East Centre in Johannesburg spoke of how these days, events that used to take decades unfold in just weeks.
International affairs has an able role player in control
As published by The New Age, 19 April 2011
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has undergone a series of profound changes in the past two years. When President Jacob Zuma announced his Cabinet in May 2009, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who served as foreign minister during the Mbeki and Motlanthe administrations, was moved to Home Affairs. Not only was a new minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, appointed but her title and the name of the department were changed to conform to a decision taken at the Polokwane conference. Not for the first time.
Côte d’Ivoire: Ouattara may struggle to pay his debts
All political leaders come to power owing something to someone. And paying those debts is usually a major feature of their first years in office. In the case of Ivory Coast's new President, Alassane Ouattara, this is doubly so. The fact that Mr Ouattara won November's elections is now accepted by all of the African Union. This election victory is of course his main card.
EU Problems Speed Move East of Trade Dominance
As published by The New Age, 5 April 2011
Many countries north of the Mediterranean are battling with significant problems. These will no doubt speed up the process of the movement of economic power from West to East, towards the emerging powers of Asia, and other nations poised to seize opportunities for trade and local development.
Viral revolutions, discontent and moral high grounds
As published by The New Age on 11 March 2011
There is no doubt that the level of discontent around the world is rising to dangerous levels. Maybe that is what their leaders think, but it is clear, to use a contemporary term, revolution has gone viral. Not only are social networking and cellphone technology helping ordinary people, especially the youth, to arrange and coordinate protest movements and events, but these same technologies are spreading the word about what is happening in country after country.Lessons for the ANC in street protests
As published by The New Age, 22 February 2011
For the past weeks the unfolding drama in the Middle East has dominated news reports and media commentary to exclusion of almost every other issue. And there is still no end in sight. As events reach a certain interim stage of resolution in one country, attention moves to another. Even as pundits attribute the problems in one country to a particular cause, the popular uprisings in another country seem to have a different cause.
What was AU thinking when it elected Obiang?
As published by The New Age, 8 February 2011
The world media have been so focused on the story evolving in Egypt over the past two weeks that most missed the announcement of the name of the new President of the African Union.
What were the leaders of Africa thinking about when they elected President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea as incoming AU President? We are told that a mechanical rotation of the presidency through the various regions of Africa is observed. It was Central Africa’s turn and the best the Central African region could come up with was Obiang. No consideration was given to the international impact such an appointment would have.
Will the Ouster of the President of Tunisia have Wider Resonance?
As published in The New Age, 27 January 2011
Tunisia is not a country that until recently featured on the pages of South African newspapers, much less in screaming headlines. It is best known to the outside world as a Mediterranean beach resort for northern Europeans among the ruins of historic Carthage.
South Africa’s Second Term in the United Nations Security Council
As published in The New Age, 11 January 2011
On 1 January South Africa commenced its second two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, occupying one of the three seats reserved for African countries. Given South Africa’s not uncontroversial first-ever term in the Security Council in 2007 – 2008, it took some of us by surprise that fellow African states had endorsed South Africa’s candidacy for the seat again so soon.
Giants of Africa Limp Along – South Africa and Nigeria
As published in The Sunday Independent, 10 October 2010
Nigerian taxis are known for their colourful writings that make personal and social statements. On my way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence last week, I was struck by one Lagosian vehicle that bore the popular Nigerian saying ‘no condition is permanent.’ It got me thinking about how the Nigerian condition has changed in 50 years. I also pondered how the emergence of South Africa as a key ally and rival since 1994 will affect the upcoming review of Nigeria’s foreign policy, the first since independence.
The Politics of Constitution-Making and Referendum: the Case of Kenya and Zimbabwe
As originally published in AllAfrica.com, 27 August 2010
www.allafrica.com
Following the post-election violence which claimed the lives of over 1 000 Kenyans in December 2007, Kenyans flocked to the polls on 4 August 2010 to vote on a new constitution for the country. Despite concerns that the country’s fragile political arrangement would not withstand the tensions associated with such a referendum, the results have clearly demonstrated that Kenyans have made a positive and peaceful move towards a new constitutional dispensation. Indeed, not only did 66.9% of Kenyans vote ‘yes’ for the constitution, transcending the ethnic divisions which played such a prominent role in the violence of 2007, but a significant 72.1% turned out for the poll. This now means that Kenya will have a new, and certainly popular, constitution within 14 days.
Zimbabwe: Is Nation Ready for New Elections?
As originally published in AllAfrica.com, 8 July 2010
www.allafrica.com
As Zimbabwe approaches the two-year anniversary of the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), the document which underpins its three-party unity government, a number of calls have been made for speedy elections.
Angola’s star could use a little shine from SA
As published in the City Press
Not much has been written about Angola since January’s infamous terrorist attack.
That was the assault on the Togo national football team bus as it travelled through the country’s province of Cabinda on the way to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
SA risks being left behind in fertile Angola
As Published in the Business Day
Africa has become the site of a new era of neo-mercantilism characterised by rivalries between established and new economic powers.
Angola is an important part of this. Countries such as Angola are able now more than ever to derive benefits from multiple powers simultaneously — particularly if those powers have competing interests.
Gaddafi: Nothing More Than Just Flamboyance
As originally published in Growth Magazine, Feb/March, 2009
www.growth.co.za
During the summit of the African Union, held in Addis Ababa on February 1 - 3, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, president of Libya, was elected Chairman of the Union's Assembly (summit) for the ensuing year. This is the first time he has served as head of either the African Union or its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity. What is the significance of this move and what are its likely consequences?
Africa: Why So Much International Attention?
As originally published in Growth Magazine, Issue 5, 2009
www.growth.co.za
There is a sudden rush by outside countries to Africa and the last few months saw the powerful · China, Russia and United States - competing for entrance to the continent. Not only the three most influential nations, but also India, the European Union, South Korea, Turkey and Brazil see Africa as important. This sudden scramble for Africa is meant to access its economic resources, writes Tom Wheeler.
How Long Can Gordon Brown Last?
As originally published in Growth Magazine, Issue 4, 2009
www.growth.co.za
In 2007, the ten-year prime ministership of the charismatic Tony Blair came to an end, largely as a result of pressure from his Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, who had long aspired to the role. Brown, largely perceived as an uncharismatic politician, was known as an effective Chancellor who managed the nation's finances successfully during the boom years, but has since been judged profligate with the public finances. He was unfortunate therefore that the credit crunch that severely affected Britain occurred soon after he moved to No 10 Downing Street. Britain traditionally relies on financial services provided by the City of London to generate a large part of its national income.
The 'Big Bear' Is Back: Russia Promotes its Vision of a Multi-polar World
As originally published in Growth Magazine, Issue 4, 2009
www.growth.co.za
In a short period of less than a month, Russia has sought to assert its role in international forums as a leading player in a multipolar world. This objective comes from the nationalistic view of its contemporary history initiated by Vladimir Putin, and holds that a unipolar world should no longer be dominated by a single hyperpower, the United States.
Somalia: Can South Africa Afford to Play a Role There?
As originally published in The Sunday Times, 21 January 2007
Pretoria should think long and hard about exposing its young men and women to a dangerous situation in what may be a fruitless quest for stability, writes Tom Wheeler
THE United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on December 6 to establish a regional peacekeeping force for Somalia and to promote negotiations between conflicting elements in the country. Funding for the force was to be voluntary. In agreeing to a regional force and turning over responsibility for establishing the force to the African Union, the council took account of African sensitivities, which call for African solutions to African problems.
Now SA Faces the UN Grind
As originally published in The Weekender, 21-22 October 2006
The world is waiting to see how SA presents Africa’s case and tackles global trouble spots
A seat, albeit nonpermanent, at the Security Council is assured. The question is: can SA pull off the task to the credit of all its well-wishers, writes TOM WHEELER
THE vote is over. SA received 186 out of the 192 possible votes in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly supporting its candidacy for a two-year, nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council.
SA Earns its UN Stripes
As originally published in The Weekender, 23-24 September 2006
The reason it has taken the country 12 years to get a Security Council seat could be that other African countries regard the nation as too pushy in its role on the international stage.
Somewhat prematurely, I thought, President Thabo Mbeki announced to his recent guest, Russian President Vladimir Putin that SA would be occupying one of the three nonpermanent African seats on the United Nations (UN) Security Council from January next year. Prematurely, because the election to the seats that have become vacant has yet to take place. This will happen during the annual session of the General Assembly that began last week.
