Chair, the ACDP supports South Africa's commitment to peace in the Sudan and efforts to mediate in the present crisis. Hon Minister, the cost to South Africa of R20 million in sending our former President and a 15-member delegation is of some concern, however. With regard to our Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Brics, membership, keeping in mind that China is reported to have been instrumental in the provision of arms and hardware to the Khartoum government to enable it to eradicate the villages of the Darfur region to purge it of rebels, and that 70% of Sudan's oil is said to be going to China, how does this affect the impartiality of the mission, as oil and its revenues are a prime focus in the conflict?
Since the mediation efforts, the conflict with northern forces in the oil region of Abyei continued last week and there was an attempt by Khartoum on Monday to remove United Nations, peacekeepers. How will it hinder peacekeeping activities in the region and at what cost to South Africa? Is South Africa's general call to all stakeholders to stick to agreements then adequate in the circumstances? When we look at our neighbour, Zimbabwe, we see another situation in urgent need of mediation. Has South Africa called for enforcement of the Global Political Agreement, GPA, and, if we have, how resolute and unrelenting has this call been? Since the political agreements negotiated have not been enforced, the former ruling party, Zanu-PF, has been able to manipulate the situation, frustrating all efforts to find a solution to the crisis.
South Africa is carrying the cost of this failure, accepting over 80% of the five million economic and political refugees who have fled the country since 2000. We have also been negatively impacted by the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy, which in 1997 had been the largest regional market for South Africa.
Zimbabweans are not asking South Africa to prescribe a solution; the SADC- negotiated GPA already does that. What they are asking is that South Africa put pressure on Zanu-PF to live up to their signature and pave the way for a truly free and fair election that will see Zimbabwean people for the first time voting freely for a government of their own choice.
The ACDP notes the assertion by the President of the United States, Barack Obama, that Americans foster an unbreakable partnership with Israel, especially as the United Nations has passed more resolutions condemning Israel than it has all other nations combined. In a proclamation naming May as Jewish American History Month, President Obama applauded Jewish Americans who, through their everyday actions, work to provide a better life for future generations by joining hands with all who seek equality and progress. The ACDP welcomes President Obama's stated commitment to the pursuit of peace in the region and an assurance of Israel's security. Hon Minister, you have said that South Africa has called on Israel to stick to agreements. Have you called on other stakeholders to do the same?
The ACDP will support this Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]