Situation in Africa (General policy of the Council of Europe)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 29 September 1978 (12th Sitting) (see Doc. 4216, report of the Political Affairs Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 29 September 1978 (12th Sitting).
- Thesaurus
The Assembly,
1. Having taken note of the report by its Political Affairs Committee on the situation in Africa (
Doc. 4216) ;
2. Recalling its
Resolution 641 (1976) on Western Europe and the situation in Africa south of the Equator ;
3. Believing that steady progress towards peace and security and towards full and viable détente must necessarily be a worldwide process ;
4. Considering that any foreign national permanent military presence in Africa is a threat not only to peace in the region, but also to worldwide détente ;
5. Troubled by the Soviet Union's political and military strategy in Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea ;
6. Considering that Africa must not be subjected to a transposition of the East-West conflict, nor to any direct interference from outside, which merely prolong divisions and delay the establishment of political, economic and social stability ;
7. Affirming that the national sovereignty of the independent states of Africa must be respected ;
8. Condemning the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms wherever it occurs on the African continent, and reaffirming its commitment to the protection of human rights and to international peace and security ;
9. Noting the serious economic situation and the distressing problems of extreme poverty, grave food shortages, health and education systems which have not yet been fully developed, and the appalling advance of desert in Africa ;
10. Considering that the member states of the Council of Europe should give Africa a preeminent place in their development aid programme, and organise economic, scientific, technical and cultural co-operation jointly and on equal footing with African countries, with a view to preparing the way for greater economic and social justice, and proper training for African peoples,
11. Condemns the South African Government's unilateral decision to hold elections in Namibia from 4 to 8 December 1978, ignoring the plan drawn up by the five western Members of the United Nations Security Council for a peaceful settlement of the Namibian conflict and the UN Secretary General's subsequent report ;
12. Calls for a peacefully negotiated settlement in Zimbabwe, involving all the parties to the conflict, and acceptable to the people of Rhodesia as a whole, based on a transfer of power to the majority under a government chosen by the people of Zimbabwe in free and fair elections ;
13. Recalls that this year has been proclaimed by the United Nations as the International Anti-Apartheid Year, and renews its condemnation of the South African Government's apartheid policy, which is contrary to the principles of democracy and human rights ;
14. Urges the governments of the Council of Europe member states :
a to work out at European level, through political co-operation in the Council of Europe and economic co-operation in OECD, a solidarity agreement between Africa, the Middle East and Europe, designed to further peace and economic and social development ;
b to take steps, within the Council of Europe framework, to institute cultural co-operation aimed particularly at affording practical aid in providing education and training for young Africans ;
c to press upon the South African Government the need for a settlement of the Namibian conflict, which should lead to internationally recognised independence and avoid the aggravation of tension in southern Africa ;
d to encourage a peaceful settlement in Zimbabwe, based on agreement between all parties concerned, and providing for free elections and the establishment of a majority government ;
e to step up external pressure on the minority Government in South Africa, and opt for measures and international agreements to assist the peoples of that country in their fight for freedom and justice, and to alleviate the temporary burden this may cause on other African countries ;
15. Resolves to keep the situation in Africa and the development of relations between Africa and Europe on its agenda.
