BuaNews (Tshwane)
David Masango
23 July 2007
Johannesburg — A new strategy for Africa which rests on peace and security, human rights and the rule of law, and development, has been unveiled at the Fifth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture.
Former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Kofi Annan, delivered this year's lecture at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg on Sunday, said the three pillars both reinforce and depend on each other.
Mr Annan explained that Africa had seen real and measurable progress in peace and security over the past decade.
"Many bloody civil wars have ended and there are fewer inter-state conflicts than there used to be.
"I am proud that the UN has been an important actor in resolving conflicts. And I am proud of what my fellow Africans have achieved in ending much of the violence that has disfigured our continent.
"South Africa, under President Thabo Mbeki's leadership, has played a major role."
Mr Annan condemned the situation in Darfur where men, women and children are being driven from their homes by conflict; and further spoke out against the "ever downward spiral of Zimbabwe", which is experiencing political and economic chaos.
He warned that although stability in Africa might be spreading, a peaceful Africa remained a distant goal.
"We are working harder for peace. Through the African Union we are learning to better manage and resolve conflicts and, most importantly, to prevent new ones from breaking out," he said.
However, Mr Annan explained, peace would only endure when it was accompanied by economic and social development.
He highlighted some of the progress Africa had achieved, including inflation which was at historic lows in many countries and that 27 African economies were projected to grow by more than 5 percent this year.
Direct investment has also increased more than 200 percent in the past five years, due to rising exports, advances on debt relief and aid and investment initiatives.
Africa has also made headway toward the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to Mr Annan.
"The latest report from the UN shows that today, halfway to the 2015 target date, we've achieved positive change in several crucial areas.
"We are not excelling, but we are advancing. It is vital that Africa lead its own development process.
"The key now is to reinforce the progress we have made and eliminate shortfalls in development assistance, debt relief and fair trade," he explained.
Mr Annan further cautioned that aid alone would not end poverty in Africa, but market access, fair terms of trade and a non-discriminatory financial system were equally essential in helping Africans to lift themselves out of poverty and deprivation.
Mr Annan emphasised the importance for Africa to strengthen human rights and the rule of law to accelerate progress.
"Only when government is grounded in the rule of law, and it is fairly and consistently applied, can society rest on a solid foundation.
Mr Annan also praised Africa, saying democracy on the continent had deepened in the past decade and that more states than ever had governments that were duly elected instead of imposed.
"The rule of law, like peace and security, is a prerequisite to strong and sustained development. And without prosperity and opportunity that are widely shared, peace cannot last long and democratic institutions cannot truly flourish," said Mr Annan in conclusion.
The annual lecture offers an opportunity for leaders of international standing to present their views on critical issues impacting society at large.
The previous Nelson Mandela Annual Lectures were delivered by:
* Former United States President William Jefferson Clinton on 19 July 2003;
* Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu on 23 November 2004;
* Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Wangari Maathai from Kenya on 19 July 2005; and
* President Mbeki on 29 July 2006.
The annual lecture is part of a wide range of events to celebrate Mr Mandela's birthday, which he celebrated last week Wednesday.
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