Chapter 1

Opening Address

I would like to thank the organisers of this Franco-South African encounter — the Institute of Global Dialogue, the Institute for Security Studies and the French Institute of South Africa. It is the fourth meeting of this kind, dedicated to Africa, following those in Pretoria (1993) and in Johannesburg and Paris (1998). Eminent speakers from South Africa, other countries on the African continent and France who will share their thoughts and participate in the debate, are thanked for their contributions.

France’s presence in Africa, in spite of the accelerated modernisation of our policy, is unfortunately still sometimes seen in South Africa as a relic of the past. However, as I see it, it is precisely the emergence of a continent that is more independent and a master of its own destiny (Africa fara da se) that necessitates an increase in the number of its links with the exterior, and thus a form of partnership with the international players involved in Africa. Because of the grave conflicts that are about to be discussed, the risk is not one of so-called neo-colonial domination, but rather, since the fall of the Berlin Wall, one of marginalisation of the continent. It must not be forgotten that Africa, which was virtually absent from the preoccupations of the United Nations Security Council for a while, today accounts for two-thirds of the problems it is faced with. It therefore has a need for friends and for means. In this context, it is believed that South Africa and France, two of the real friends of Africa, have some things to say. The resolution of the crisis in the Great Lakes region, through the Lusaka agreements and with the strong involvement of the UN with a significant peacekeeping force, for example, became a major African and international issue that has engaged the attention of the Organisation of African Unity and the UN Security Council. The facilitation of the national Congolese dialogue by former President Masire will have to be supported by the international community and should include a French-African component for a better chance of success. The facilitation by Nelson Mandela in Burundi must also be recalled, as well as the situation in Angola, among other specific problems.

President Mbeki declared on radio RFI in 1998, before the visit of the French president to South Africa, that "France and the RSA must avoid shooting each other in the leg in Africa." With this in mind, the search can progress for the means to understand each other better, without excluding the possibility of sometimes acting together in a pragmatic way. France would prefer a more in-depth political and strategic dialogue with Pretoria; the country is a close partner with interests in Africa and very strong links to it, and an advocate of mobilising the European Union in favour of the continent.

A seminar such as this is a good example of modern diplomacy: it forms part of a honest strategic dialogue, open and informal, that is as important as the consultations at the core of official structures that have been set up since 1994 within the bilateral framework (a forum for political dialogue in 1997, and a joint commission for defence in 1998). It is hoped that new ideas and an enhanced understanding will emerge from these deliberations around the question of the required resolution of armed conflicts by Africans themselves, in close co-operation with the international community.