Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

SA has a new role in Africa THE South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has completed a large-scale integration of the country's pre-1994 military formations, while at the same implementing a comprehensive transformation process. A new military structure and force design emerged as a consequence of the defence white paper (1996) and the defence review (1998). Now the SANDF faces new roles and challenges, largely unforeseen when the white paper and review were drafted. The shortcomings of defence policy in a range of areas have become obvious. The focus on territorial defence and consequent military preparations for this role have become less important due to increased continental and regional security co-operation and the need for SA to play an active and effective role in African peacekeeping. While the SANDF plays a critical role as ultimate guarantor and protector of SA's new democracy, changed circumstances require an updating and refocusing of defence policy.

This has been acknowledged by the military leadership, hence the initiation of a process intended to culminate in a new defence white paper.

The drafting of a new white paper provides an opportunity to address the weaknesses of the force structure and policy. Any effective defence policy must be based on a realistic, comprehensive and meticulous analysis of the security threats facing SA, now and over the longer term. Without a threat analysis, defence policy, procurement and training will be driven by institutional needs (survival and growth) and industry needs (profits from weapons production) and result in a distorted military structure. An objective analysis of the regional and extraregional strategic environment would suggest no possibility of a conventional military threat to SA in the foreseeable future, even using a worst-case scenario. The new defence review would be able to confirm this and outline the implications. The availability of more SANDF personnel for collateral deployment could be confirmed and specific areas where and how the SANDF can contribute to addressing other urgent national security needs clearly identified. SA is unlikely to be directly affected by the US "war on terror", or fourth-generation warfare. This was emphasised by President Thabo Mbeki's recent statement at the United Nations, where he identified Africa's priority as the "war on poverty". Moreover, the apparent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction has only marginal relevance to SA's defence function. SA's policy on weapons of mass destruction and active diplomatic participation in international forums to this end are comprehensive and effective. The central focus of SA's defence policy should thus be an Afrocentric approach concentrating on enhancing peace and stability on the continent.

Given the absence of a clear conventional military threat, the defence white paper could provide a response to SA's broader security concerns. This would include: continued contribution to fighting domestic crime, thus increased support for the South African Police Service would be appropriate; enhanced participation in countering illegal migration and transnational crime; an expanded capacity to participate in humanitarian relief activities, such as the provision of emergency food supplies, casualty evacuation and medical support; and a convincing commitment to increased involvement in peacekeeping. The white paper could also clearly outline how the SANDF may contribute to the success of the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community's (SADC's) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation in accordance with SA's treaty obligations and commitment to promoting peace and stability in Africa. The SANDF's contribution in these areas could be elaborated: regional co-operation on defence issues; SADC co-operation on conflict early warning; contribution to the AU's military staff committee; combined training and military preparation; development of an African common defence policy; preparations for the proposed African standby force; and interventions to maintain human security, including food relief. To advance the goal of continental peace and security, SA has an opportunity to become the centre for peacekeeping training in Africa. The defence white paper could thus propose a comprehensive and convincing plan for enhancing SA's peacekeeping training, preparation and operational deployment. This would include training that sensitises soldiers to the duties and responsibilities of peacekeeping as opposed to making war. An in-depth knowledge of our bill of rights, the African Charter on Human and People's Rights and the AU's protocol on women's rights is essential to ensure that South African peacekeepers are not tarred by allegations of crimes and human rights abuses. This is especially important after the deportation of a South African colonel from the Democratic Republic of Congo for sexual harassment in July this year, allegations of rape and indecent assault against South African soldiers in the Congo, and the arrest of a South African soldier in connection with murder in Burundi recently. The UN has 18 peace missions in progress. An additional 30 multilateral peace missions are being conducted by regional organisations. In the light of SA's commitment to peacekeeping, the SANDF's participation on a small scale in these other missions as part of a skills-enhancement process appears appropriate. Argentina for example, with an armed force of 72000 (less than SA), has in the past 10 years sent more than 9000 soldiers to participate in various peacekeeping operations. SA's peacekeeping deployment of almost 3000 is respectable in international terms, but short of a number of other countries such as: Bangladesh (6006); Pakistan (5455) Nigeria (3489) and India (2877). With a view to advancing peace and security in Africa, SA could gain significantly from participation in peacekeeping operations (one or two officers at each UN mission) while advancing active peacekeeping and related deployments on the African continent. As the major economic power south of the Sahara, SA is expected to play a defence role more commensurate with its economic strength. The SANDF could make a major contribution to operationalising SADC-AU security agreements, thereby helping to provide African solutions to African problems. As Mbeki has pointed out, ending African conflicts is an urgent priority and the "joint responsibility of each and every African patriot". The SANDF's new white paper could provide the framework for SA to play a leading role in this process, so confirming its African patriotism and active support for Africa's renewal. -Shelton is associate professor of international relations at Wits University and previously director of intelligence policy at the defence secretariat of the defence department. This is a shortened version of his submission to Parliament on behalf of the Institute for Global Dialogue.