New Partnership for Africa's Development (Hansard, 28 November 2001)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos)
My Lords, the Government have warmly welcomed the political will demonstrated by the New Partnership for Africa's Development. At the G8 summit in Genoa in July, leaders agreed to forge a new partnership to address issues crucial to African development. The G8 agreed to develop a concrete action to be approved at its summit in Canada next year. As the Prime Minister's personal representative, last month I participated in the first of a series of meetings to develop the plan.

§ Lord Blaker
My Lords, does the Minister recall that in a speech the Prime Minister held out a vision of a partnership to create an Africa that was democratic, and in which there was to be no excuse for abuses of human rights? He said that that could he achieved, if we find the will. Where is the will in relation to Zimbabwe, the government of which are creating a humanitarian, political and economic ruin? If, as seems probable, the forthcoming elections in Zimbabwe are unfree and unfair, will that not leave an ugly stain on the Prime Minister's vision?

§ Baroness Amos
My Lords, we are committed to working with African partners on a new vision. The important thing about the New Partnership for Africa's Development is the commitment by African leaders themselves to tackle such issues and to demonstrate political will and leadership.
With respect to Zimbabwe, the noble Lord well knows, because I said this the last time that I was asked about Zimbabwe, that we have worked tirelessly to bring together an international consensus on Zimbabwe involving the Commonwealth, the Southern African Development Community, the European Union, the United States and other partners. The Government of Zimbabwe want to make the problem a bilateral one between Britain and Zimbabwe. It is not so. International concern has been expressed. We continue to press the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that election observers are allowed into the country. IfZimbabwe does not do so, it appears that it will be breaking SADC rules and southern African heads of government will also have to deal with the problem.

§ Baroness Rawlings
My Lords, can the noble Baroness confirm whether or not the New Africa Initiative will mean that a larger percentage of UK bilateral aid to Africa will be directed to African governments and away from non-governmental organisations and charities that work in Africa?

§ Baroness Amos
My Lords, the noble Baroness may be aware that since 1997, we have increased our bilateral development spending in Africa from £450 million per year to £778 million in 2000–01. That is linked to our strong commitment to work towards the eradication of world poverty. With respect to the ways in which we deliver that spending, the noble Baroness will be aware that our commitment is to work with governments who are themselves committed to spending money on sectors such as health and education. We take a sector-wide approach, because we want to build capacity and ensure sustainability.

§ Baroness Williams of Crosby
My Lords, we on these Benches congratulate the Minister on the New Africa Initiative. Will she tell us about controls over the movement of diamonds from Botswana, Sierra Leone and elsewhere within Africa, to ensure that they are now passing through proper, legal channels and benefiting the African producers?

§ Baroness Amos
My Lords, the noble Baroness will be aware that the Kimberley process has been in hand considering the exploitation of diamonds in the African context. We have an integrated approach, especially in considering conflict in Africa. We will continue that approach. The noble Baroness will be pleased to know that African countries have themselves identified as a priority dealing with conflict and the exploitation of resources in conflict situations.

§ Lord Hunt of Chesterton
My Lords, does my noble friend agree that there are some encouraging signs in 298 Africa, especially in the development of the environment? Does she agree that Nigeria has played an important role, as have NGOs and the United Nations Environmental Programme?

§ Baroness Amos
My Lords, I agree. The issue of sustainable development—in particular, protection of the environment—is an important element of the strategy.

§ Baroness Knight of Collingtree
My Lords—

§ Lord Marsh
My Lords—

§ Lord Williams of Mostyn
My Lords, it is the turn of the Cross Benches.

§ Lord Marsh
My Lords, can the Minister envisage any circumstances in which the Government may take direct action to bring pressure to change Mr Mugabe's long-standing total contempt for the international community by his illegal actions?

§ Baroness Amos
My Lords, the noble Lord may be aware that last week, following our concern about journalists in Zimbabwe being identified as terrorists by President Mugabe, we sent a strong message to his government through our High Commissioner. We are working in a variety of ways through a variety of forums. Unilateral action by the United Kingdom in this area will be meaningless. We have sought to work in partnership not only with southern African and other African heads of state but with our Commonwealth and European Union partners, because this issue is international, not bilateral.

§ Baroness Knight of Collingtree
My Lords, have the Government taken note of the fact that almost daily there are bloody and wicked murders of innocent white farmers in Zimbabwe? Apart from the question of elections, what action has been taken to demonstrate to that government that the Government, as a member of the Commonwealth, regards that practice with abhorrence?

§ Baroness Amos
My Lords, not only have the Government taken note of that point, we have made strong representations on it.