South Africa country report: The road ahead

Feature

posted 13 Mar 2006 in Volume 8 Issue 9

South Africa country report: The road ahead

By Lord David Triesman of Tottenham, UK Minister for Africa

On 1 March I travel to South Africa for the first time since I was appointed Minister for Africa in May 2005. Like many of my ministerial colleagues, my relationship with South Africa dates back to those difficult days during the struggle. The new South Africa in many ways demonstrates the very best of Africa: a democratically elected government that works for the good of its people; an important player on the international stage; a major destination for international investment that offers the best prospect for reducing the gap between rich and poor.

The British Prime Minister Tony Blair made his own personal commitment to Africa clear last year. His call struck a chord in the UK and farther afield, based on a belief that we had a duty – born out of moral responsibility but traditional self-interest too – to support African attempts to turn its back on its past problems. The UK put its money where its mouth was by translating that commitment into real action by using the coincidence of our dual G8 and EU Presidencies to start tackling decades of neglect and war; of disease and under-investment on the continent. That commitment has delivered real progress: World leaders have agreed to double aid by 2010 to $50bn worldwide, half of which will go to Africa; to write-off the debts of 40 of the world’s poorest countries; to end all export subsidies and reduce distorting domestic subsidies; $4bn to tackle AIDS, TB and malaria; more money to eradicate polio. The International Finance Facility for Immunisation with $4bn funding will save five million lives by 2015.

We always knew that this was only the start. Our commitment to Africa was never just about 2005 – 2005 was the launch pad. The Commission for Africa recognised that the challenge of tackling Africa’s problems was a long-term project, requiring not only the current political generation, but the next too.

But increased development assistance or debt forgiveness alone will not solve Africa’s problems. We must work together to tackle the unacceptable levels of poverty in the continent. Western governments must deliver on the commitments they have made. And African leaders need to deliver the kind of policies on health, education and growth that will make life better for all their people.

We must realise the levels of growth and investment that Africa needs. These have the potential to lift more people out of poverty than aid ever can or will.

And we need fairer trade access for developing countries, giving African producers a real chance of competing for western markets. We share your disappointment at progress so far: We will encourage others to make tougher decisions about access.

But we will get none of the above unless we see real progress in governance. Continued failures here undermine Africa’s credibility. Crises in Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Darfur tell exactly the wrong story in the West. They give ammunition to the cynics and doubters in the West. I know from personal experience that poor governance has a real impact in the boardrooms of investment banks across the world where multi-million dollar deals can falter because of the smallest doubts about the political climate.

I remain positive. Africa’s progress in the last few years has not been lauded, but it has been considerable and the country is on the upward spiral. Never have we seen more democratically elected governments, nor less conflict.

The creation of the AU – and its involvement in Burundi and Darfur. The African-led mediation in Naivasha that ended the longest running civil war in Sudan. The NEPAD project and the unequalled Africa Peer Review Mechanism. These all show what is possible if Africa – with the help of international partners – remains focused and committed. The UK stands ready to do its part.