CM/Res.1485 (LIX)
RESOLUTION ON SOUTH AFRICA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Fifty-ninth Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 31 January to4 February, 1994,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the developments in South Africa,
Having also considered the reports presented by the National Liberation Movements, ANC and PAC, on the current situation in South Africa,
Recalling the Harare Declaration adopted on 21 August 1989 by the OAU Ad-hoc Committee of Heads of State and Government on Southern Africa, which laid the basis for a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the South African Conflict,
Also recalling the decision adopted by the said Ad-hoc Committee at its Eighth session held in Arusha, the United Republic of Tanzania, on 28 April, 1992, which inter-alia, provided clear guidelines towards the normalization of relations between South Africa and the continent of Africa.
Further recalling the statement issued by an Extraordinary Ministerial meeting of the OAU Ad-hoc Committee on Southern Africa, held in New York on 29 September 1993, calling upon OAU Member States and the international community at large to lift all economic sanctions against South Africa, with the exception of those relating to the arms embargo and nuclear matters,
Reaffirming its earlier resolutions and decision on South Africa,
Welcoming the further progress made in establishing a democratic, non-racial and united South Africa, and in particular, the establishment of the Transitional Executive Council, the Independent Electoral Commission as well as the setting up of the Independent Media Commission, the Independent Broadcasting Authority and the adoption of the Interim Constitution,
Noting with satisfaction the legal framework of the electoral process in South Africa leading to the first ever democratic and non-racial elections to be held on 27 April, 1994 as defined by the Independent Electoral Commission and the Electoral Acts,
Commending the positive contribution being made by the OAU Observer Mission in South Africa towards the democratic process and to the efforts aimed at curbing violence and promoting a climate of political tolerance,
Commending also the positive contribution of the UN, the Commonwealth and the European Union Observer Missions in this regard,
Fully aware of the efforts of the Frontline States and the OAU Ad-hoc Committee of Heads of State and Government on southern Africa aimed at promoting peace, unity and understanding among all the people of South Africa,
Gravely concerned by the continued high levels of politically-motivated violence in South Africa, particularly in the Pretoria/Witwatersrand/Vaal and Natal/KwaZulu regions, which ahs claimed thousands of innocent lives and rendered thousands more homeless,
Further concerned that the South African government, which has the primary responsibility of ending violence and restoring order, has yet to comply with the UN Security Council Resolution 772 (1992) obliging it, inter-alia, to urgently implement the recommendations of the Goldstone Commission,
DEPLORES by the activities of the right-wing extremists and their threats to derail the democratic process as well as the apparent inability of the government of President F.W. de Klerk to take appropriate measures to contain the situation:
REAFFIRMS Africa’s commitment to the elimination of apartheid and the creation of a non-racial, democratic and united South Africa;
WELCOMES the adoption of the Interim Constitution for South Africa and the establishment of the Transitional structures leading to the holding of the country’s first democratic and non -racial elections on 27 April, 1994;
APPEALS to all parties in South Africa, including those which did not participate in or withdrew from the multi-party talks, to abide by the agreements reached at the negotiations, to join the on-going democratic process and take part in the elections;
URGES all parties in South Africa, particularly the South African government, to take all necessary measures to put an end to violence and intimidation so as to create a conducive climate for the holding of free and fair elections;
REITERATES the call to all parties in South Africa to abide by the provisions of the National Peace Accord and fully to cooperate with the peace structures instituted thereunder;
REQUESTS all OAU Member States to send at least two Observers each, at their own expense, to reinforce the OAU Observer Mission in monitoring the electoral process and to contribute to the Special Fund for elections in South Africa;
FURTHER REQUESTS the international community to provide a sufficient number of International Observers, bearing in mind the complexity of the situation in South Africa, the size of the country and the number of Polling Stations presently estimated at 8000;
WELCOMES WITH APPRECIATION the proposal made by the UN Secretary-General to set up a Special Trust Fund to finance the participation of additional Observers from Africa and CALLS UPON the international community to contribute generously to this Fund;
URGES all parties in South Africa to respect the impartiality, safety and security of International Observers and to cooperate with them in the execution of their mandate;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to remain seized of the developments in South Africa and to report as appropriate to the organs of the OAU.