The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation has congratulated the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) for fitting its programmes to the reduced budget it received for the year. The department indicated that its budget has been reduced and yet it must do the work it is has to do.

The Department and the African Renaissance Fund were in Parliament to brief the Committee on their annual performance and strategic plans. Deputy Minister of Dirco, Ms Noma-Indiya Mfeketho, remarked that the department was indeed committed to doing more with less. “We are aware of the challenges we face and the pressures the economy is facing.” She said South Africa’s role in international communities is growing, as it has assumed the chairmanship of Brazil, India, China and SA (Brics), the Indian Ocean Realm Association, and also the Southern African Development Community.

“We are aware of the cost of being a Chair, but we are committed to make the most of it to benefit from it,” Ms Mfeketho said.

Committee member Mr Brian Molefe said: “This is a constructive approach to say the envelope has been reduced and we will live with it. We need to reduce our deficit. It is commendable that the Department is willing to live with what it has,” he said.

Members raised various questions about operational issues and other matters affecting the portfolio, including among other things the trade return on missions abroad, relations with Morocco since re-admission to the Africa Union (AU) and an update on the African Peer-Review Mechanism.

The Committee received an analysis from Dr Philani Mthembu, Executive Director for the Institute for Global Dialogue, who informed the Committee that pressure could still be exerted on Morocco regarding Western Sahara. “The ideal situation for Morocco is the status quo and this poses a danger. What happens if you have a resurgence of an armed struggle in those territories?” he said.

Dr Mthembu said this remained a possibility if issues around Sahriwan freedom remained unresolved. “The issue is not yet resolved and South Africa should still play a role. There has to be a change in strategy, as Morocco was not in the AU when the old strategy was crafted. A new one is needed that will identify viable ways to keep pressure on Morocco,” he said.

Sibongile Maputi
10 May 2017