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It is crucial for the GNU to provide clear and consistent signals regarding its stance on continental affairs and its vision for South Africa’s participation within the African Union.
by DR FATIMA HENDRICKS
THE African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) observed South Africa’s 2024 elections from May 21 to June 3 at the South African government’s invitation. The Mission deployed 21 teams of 65 observers across nine provinces to monitor special voting on May 28 and polling on May 29. However, beyond this participation, the national general election results may have further far-reaching implications for South Africa’s participation in the African Union (AU).
The formation of a new so-called government of national unity (GNU) built on a core Democratic Alliance-African National Congress (DA-ANC) coalition in South Africa could potentially influence South Africa’s engagement and participation within the African Union. The dynamics between the coalition partners and their divergent ideologies could complicate decision-making processes, particularly on matters concerning Africa’s development agenda and regional integration efforts spearheaded by the African Union. It is crucial for the new GNU/ coalition to provide clear and consistent signals regarding its stance on continental affairs and its vision for South Africa’s participation within the African Union.
The First Ten Year Implementation Plan (FTYIP) of the AU’s Agenda 2063 (2013 – 2023) was the initial phase in a series of five ten-year plans for Agenda 2063’s 50-year timeframe. Hence, work is already underway to achieve Agenda 2063 objectives. Agenda 2063’s flagship projects include a High-Speed Train Network connecting African capitals and commercial centres, an African Commodities Strategy to transform Africa from a raw materials supplier to using Africa’s own resources for economic development, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to accelerate intra-African trade and boost Africa’s global trading position.
The proposed African Passport and Free Movement of People initiative, aimed at removing restrictions on Africans’ ability to travel, work, and live within the continent, raises valid concerns about its potential impact. The existing legal frameworks governing the movement of people across African nations, despite political commitments to dismantle borders, remain generally restrictive. The restrictive nature stems from factors like security concerns, economic disparities, and potential strain on resources and infrastructure. Granting unrestricted movement and residency rights to all African citizens could create new opportunities, exacerbate existing challenges as well as create unintended consequences.
The African Union’s 2063 agenda includes establishing a Single African Air-Transport Market (SAATM) to ensure connectivity between African capital cities and create a unified air transport market, driving the continent’s economic integration and growth. The 2063 agenda also includes establishing African financial institutions like the African Investment Bank, Pan African Stock Exchange, African Monetary Fund, and African Central Bank. Other projects are an Africa Outer Space Strategy, African Virtual and E-University, Great African Museum, and Encyclopaedia Africana.
In 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the African Union’s membership into the G20, now the G21 – a forum for global economic, trade, and financial dialogue. The permanent members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United States, the European Union, and its newest member, the AU. South Africa will assume the G21 Presidency in 2025.
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As the GNU/ coalition navigates the complexities of domestic and international affairs, South Africa will need to exercise consistent messaging, policy development and implementation, such as to maintain South Africa’s credibility and influence within the AU, fostering trust and collaboration within South Africa, and importantly amongst its African peers.
For Muslims, these developments hold significance given the large presence of Muslims in Africa. According to Statista, in 2024, Nigeria has the largest Muslim population in Africa, with around 105 million Muslims. Egypt and Algeria followed with substantial Muslim populations of 90.4 million and 39.4 million, respectively. Overall, 50 percent of Africa is Muslim. These figures underscore the deep-rooted Islamic heritage and cultural fabric that permeates across the African continent. However, the sheer size of the Muslim population should not be misconstrued as a monolithic entity. Islam encompasses a diverse range of beliefs, practices, and interpretations, each shaped by unique historical, cultural, and socio-political contexts, making the expression of rich and diverse Muslim voices within South Africa and the AU critical to its success.
- Dr Fatima Hendricks is an independent researcher.
