The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has raised concerns about the insufficient attention to complaints it has made to the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) about municipal demarcation and ward delimitation processes and decisions. The committee this week conducted a two-day workshop for its members where the Department of COGTA and its entities presented information about their work methods.

During the presentation about the MDB’s progress towards implementing its 2020 – 2025 strategic plan, the MDB said that to ensure well-defined municipal spaces, 4 468 wards were delimited for the 2021 local government elections and the municipal boundary redetermination process was concluded in March 2024. The board also said that it conducted 52 education and awareness consultations and 213 technical consultations on ward delimitation. These processes are undertaken ahead of local government elections, to determine the number of voters in a ward and the number of councillors in each municipality based on a gazetted formula that guides the Board.

The committee raised public concerns about the frequency of the delimitation, involving the shifting of voters and relocation of voting districts to different wards and its impact on the stability of communities. The committee highlighted ineffective communication and inadequate consultation with affected communities.

The board also raised the challenge of budgetary constraints, which limit its ability to conduct consultations directly with the affected communities, causing it to rely on the various municipalities for communication with affected communities. The committee urged the board to relook at this matter since communities complain about lack of consultation, and this affects the acceptability and legitimacy of the board’s decisions.

Lack of attention to issues, such as when a community is living harmoniously together in a culturally and socially cohesive unit but has been demarcated into separate wards, leading to fractured social structure, unequal development due to one neighbour receiving better municipal services than the other because they belong to different wards despite their close proximity, poses risks to the MDB’s credibility. There were instances cited where communities living under one traditional authority were divided in a manner that made daily lives harder, voting districts relocated to parts that were much further away from centres of social amenities, coherent communities divided into different districts and farms divided across different provinces.

The committee also believes that ward delimitation decisions that do not take sufficient account of geographical barriers, such as mountains, and transport routes create an impression that authorities are insensitive to the concerns of the public. A specific concern was raised regarding specific wards in the Northern Cape province that are vast with a radius of up to 120km as being problematic and unworkable, desiring to be given reconsideration.

The committee does not accept the board’s emphasis on rigid compliance with pre-determined formulae when these are causing frustration, confusion, conflict and instability in an otherwise settled and stable community. The committee urged the MDB to review its approach, consider the formula’s impact and revert to the committee with a considered view. The committee will also be engaging with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on this matter.

The committee further expressed interest in the extent to which politics has influenced recent demarcation decisions, noting that in the early years of the country’s democracy, demarcation was used to achieve legitimate political ends, such as the economic development of previously marginalised areas. The committee noted that the sustainability, economic viability and impact of recent municipal amalgamations on the lives of affected communities are matters of concern across all political lines. This is particularly pertinent considering the findings made by the South African Local Government Association to the effect that over 70 percent of the municipal amalgamations formed in the wake of the 2016 local government elections have not achieved their intended purpose.

The committee is also concerned about the non-viability of some amalgamated municipalities as a result of political considerations and assumptions, which have failed to yield the expected benefits, such as raising revenue for their communities. There are a number of municipalities that are not viable, even after they are amalgamated with others, and this raises the issue of reviewing funding of municipalities, which the committee will look at and discuss with the relevant Minister. The committee believes that discussions in this area are necessary in order to strengthen the local government system.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Strengthening the partnership between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United States of America dominated discussions between the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja, and the US Deputy Secretary of State, Mrs Mallory Stewart, in Abuja, Nigeria, on 20 August 2024. Discussions between the two officials focused on security issues in the ECOWAS region, in particular regional stability, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, early warning and maritime security.

Brief presentations by senior staff of the ECOWAS Commission gave Mrs Mallory Stewart and her delegation an insight into the appropriate and effective measures taken by the regional organisation to fight the proliferation of these weapons and hand-made weapons. These provisions include the existence of a Convention on Arms Control, which requires ECOWAS Member States to obtain the approval of the President of the Commission before importing any military equipment. The Convention also requires arms to be marked and traced within the Community in order to prevent all kinds of illicit activities.

With regard to the fight against maritime insecurity in West Africa, it was recalled that ECOWAS, in collaboration with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf of Guinea, has put in place the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, which aims to strengthen regional cooperation on maritime security.

This framework has enabled the creation of regional coordination centres to monitor maritime activities and respond to threats in real time. It has also contributed to a significant reduction in maritime crime in the ECOWAS region.

According to the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, these various initiatives of the West African organisation are aimed at ensuring regional peace, security and stability, as well as the development of West Africa.

‘There can be no economic development without stability and peace in the ECOWAS region’, stated Mrs Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja. On behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, she expressed her deep gratitude and sincere appreciation to the United States of America for its constant support to the regional organisation in achieving its objectives.

The ECOWAS and US delegations also discussed chemical weapons and the need to prevent their misuse.The US Assistant Secretary of State, Mrs Mallory Stewart, reiterated the commitment of the United States to further support the efforts of ECOWAS to meet the challenges facing the community and to promote peace, security and stability in the community.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Anneliese Dodds visits a large camp for internally displaced people in Bentiu, witnessing first-hand the desperate situation of those impacted by regional conflict and the climate crisis; the Development Minister pressed senior South Sudanese Government ministers to act urgently to support humanitarian efforts and to make progress towards holding free and fair elections later in the year; she also announced a package of support for the most vulnerable people in South Sudan, Sudan and Chad, including new funding for a programme to tackle endemic gender-based violence. 

Development Minister Anneliese Dodds has today [22 August] announced vital UK aid for people in South Sudan, who face a humanitarian crisis driven by conflict, drought and flooding. 

The minister visited the country’s largest internally displaced persons’ camp in Bentiu, Unity State, where 100,000 people live in extreme poverty surrounded by flood waters that have not receded in years, seeing how UK aid is supporting them. 

This followed meetings with senior South Sudanese government officials in Juba, when the minister highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian aid to support those fleeing conflict.

She also pressed ministers on reforms to deliver free and fair elections scheduled for December 2024, emphasising the need for political progress to ensure peace and stability, greater government investment in health and education services and the importance of unrestricted humanitarian access. 

In recent years, over a million people have been displaced by unprecedented flooding in South Sudan which has destroyed farms and livestock, and damaged schools and health facilities. The funding announced today will address these key issues, helping people improve farming techniques and build flood controls. 

Further UK aid will support women-led organisations in South Sudan to work with communities to prevent gender-based violence, including education on the harm it causes. Counselling and support services will also be made available to women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence. 

The Minister of State for Development, Anneliese Dodds said:  

The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan has left over 75% of the population in desperate need, with many struggling to feed themselves and their families.

The camp I visited is also on the frontline of the climate crisis, following unprecedented flooding that threatens to overwhelm over 100,000 displaced people who are already facing acute hunger and need. The heartbreaking accounts I heard from those who were forced to flee the civil war in neighbouring Sudan hit home the urgent need to support those fleeing conflict. The levels of gender-based violence women and girls face in South Sudan is appalling, and I want to thank the survivors who shared their harrowing stories with me.

I also heard how UK aid is helping provide a lifeline to those in dire need and provide the building blocks for a better future. As Minister for Development and Women and Equalities I am determined to do more to alleviate their suffering of these people. New funding I have announced will save lives and tackle food shortages and malnutrition. It will also provide essential support to stop gender-based violence and ensure displaced communities can adapt to deal with the impacts of flooding and the climate crisis.

The conflict in Sudan is also causing vulnerable people to flee and seek safety in South Sudan and Chad. To address this, the UK is also providing food parcels for 145,000 people in Sudan and around 60,000 vulnerable refugees in Chad. Displaced people in South Sudan will also receive critical nutrition services for children under 5 and their caregivers. 

Working in partnership with the UN and NGO partners, this package will provide 180,000 people with access to food and cash transfers, 15,000 children with treatment for severe malnutrition, and 40,000 displaced people with safe water in South Sudan.

All this support is part of a total funding package of £86 million for this year announced during the visit.  

The Director General of the International Organization for Migration, Amy Pope said:  

We welcome the much-needed attention the United Kingdom is bringing to the displaced people in South Sudan, where already fragile communities are facing the extreme impact of climate change, alongside a large influx of refugees and returnees escaping the war across the border in Sudan. 

Since these multiple crises began, IOM has been responding to the mounting humanitarian needs of displaced populations in the region. While the needs are vast, these additional resources will help us save lives and provide practical solutions by scaling up life-saving transportation assistance, health care, provision of water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter, and specific support for victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

In Ethiopia, on the last day of her trip, which finished yesterday [Wednesday 21 August] the minister met with Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie to discuss UK support for peace and security across Ethiopia and the wider region, as well as economic growth and development priorities. Meeting with African Union Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, she discussed peace and security issues across the continent, including in Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia.

Background

The Minister for Development has announced a £86 million package which includes:  

£69 million humanitarian assistance and resilience funding to South Sudan
£1.8 million to prevent gender-based violence and to support survivors in South Sudan
£15 million for those in Sudan, as well as people fleeing the Sudan conflict in Chad and South Sudan
this additional £15 million brings total UK ODA country allocations to Sudan, South Sudan and Chad this financial year to over £220 million
this funding aims to reduce the drivers of famine in South Sudan, protect women and girls and rebuild livelihoods for displaced communities, including people fleeing violence in Sudan
more than 9 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan.  
the Sudan conflict has left over half of the Sudanese population in desperate need of food assistance. The conflict has created additional strain on South Sudan, with more than 780,000 people arriving since April 2023
meeting with representatives of Sudanese political parties and civil society in Ethiopia, the minister also discussed regional efforts to end the conflict in Sudan

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The United Kingdom’s Minister for International Development and Women&Equalities, Anneliese Dodds, visited Ethiopia yesterday, where she met Foreign Minister, Taye Atske-Selassie, to discuss UK support for peace and security across Ethiopia and the wider region; as well as economic growth and development priorities.

The Minister also raised concern about the devasting impact of conflict in Amhara and Oromia on civilians. The UK continues to urge all parties to the conflicts to de-escalate and engage in peaceful and inclusive dialogue.

During her visit, the Minister set out her priorities under the new UK Government, including in areas of common interest like economic transformation; support to humanitarian crises; and tackling global poverty, instability, and the climate and nature crisis. The Minister will support and champion the rights of women and girls.

Her visit, which was preceded by a trip to South Sudan and is her first to the region as newly appointed Minister of State for International Development and Women&Equalities, is a strong indication of the UK’s commitment to the UK-Ethiopia partnership, as well as of UK support for security, stability, and prosperity across the wider region. 

While in Addis, the Minister also met with African Union Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, and discussed peace and security issues across the continent, including in Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia. She also discussed efforts to end the conflict in Sudan during a meeting with representatives of Sudanese political parties and civil society in Ethiopia. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.