Deputy Speaker, the Portfolio Committee on International Relations recommends that the House approve the ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
This is a clear and deliberate decision by the government of the Republic of South Africa to be amongst the countries taking the lead on the continent, demonstrating our commitment to good governance, popular participation, respect for the rule of law and the promotion and protection of human rights.
The charter seeks to entrench and consolidate on the continent a political culture of change of power through the holding of regular elections which are free, fair and transparent, and which are conducted by a competent, independent, impartial, national electoral body. It thus provides for the enhancement of the role of election observation and monitoring in contributing towards the credibility of elections.
South Africa has proudly put in place all the necessary institutions for the effective implementation of this charter. Its ratification, therefore, will confirm our country's resolve to lead by example and encourage fellow African countries to do the same and embrace this instrument. This instrument has the potential to address the political and socioeconomic situation in Africa by deepening peace and security which, by themselves, constitute the necessary preconditions for development, progress and prosperity in Africa. Thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Declaration of vote
Deputy Speaker, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance was adopted at the 8th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of member states of the African Union in January 2007.
The charter was developed as part of the AU's emphasis on promoting democracy and good governance in member states. As such, it has the potential to serve as a guide and reference point for sustained and ongoing political reform on the African continent. It also places emphasis on women and youth.
However, it must be ratified by 15 states before it takes effect. In July 2010 only five states had ratified it. South Africa was not one of them, which is most unfortunate.
The Pan-African Parliament, PAP, was given the responsibility through article 45 of the charter to promote it. It was thus decided to launch the "11 Before 2011" campaign in order to get as many countries as possible to ratify it ahead of the AU's Heads of States Summit in 2011.
As the Pan-African Parliament delegate to the Central Africa regional meeting in early September, I undertook to write to the Minister and was delighted when she referred the charter to the portfolio committee. South Africa will be the second Southern African Development Community, SADC, country to ratify the charter after Lesotho. We should have been the first. As the host country of the Pan-African Parliament, we need to lead by example and promote democracy. Nevertheless, we support the charter fully and the next step will be to encourage compliance by the member states.
Accession to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance approved.