New Partnership for Africa’s Development: Politics of Dependence

Abstract

Africa will have to rely upon Africa: African Governments will have to formulate , and carry out policies of maximum national and collective self-reliance. If they do they will develop; if they don't Africa will be doomed.-Julius K. Nyerere 1 Our dream of Africa's rebirth as we enter the new millennium depends as much as anything on each country and each regional grouping on the continent committing itself to the principles of democracy, respect for human rights and the basic tenets of good governance. Among SADC's basic principles are respect for the sovereignty of member states and non-interference in one another's internal affairs. This is the basis of good governance on the interstate level. But these considerations cannot blunt or totally override our common concern for democracy, human rights and good governance in all our constituent states. Can we continue to give comfort to member states whose actions go so diametrically against the values and principles we hold so dear and for which we struggled so long and so hard?-Nelson Mandela 2