Mission in Burundi South Africas Voice of Solidarity

Course: The South in World Politics: a Parallel World in the Making? Mission in Burundi: South Africa’s voice of solidarity INTRODUCTION In 1993 Nelson Mandela defined the issue of human rights, respect for diversity, cooperation in regional construction, infrastructure and resource development projects, concerns and interest of the continent of Africa to be the pillars of the foreign policy of South Africa (Mandela 1993). The essay will define what mediation is, what the peace process phases, will briefly describe the essence of the Tutsi-Hutu conflict in Burundi, will demonstrate how South Africa fulfilled its taken ‘obligations’ in the Burundi peace mission from 1999-2005 as a mediator, and will conclude when the mediation can be considered successful. BACKGROUND INFORMATION â€Å"Mediation is a process in which a third party attempts to resolve a conflict by fostering an agreement acceptable to both sides, without any prior acceptance or commitment by the parties to the conflict of the mediators ideas or suggestions† (Ayres, 1997). â€Å"Third parties mediate based on their desire to make peace, and their own self-interest. Self-interest is the primary motivation for states. States are motivated by both defensive and offensive interests† (ZartmanTouval 1996). Mediation per se intervention in the long-term Burundi peace process (1993-2005) involved many international actors and had the following milestones: the initial intercession by the UN SpecialShow MoreRelatedNotes18856 Words   |  76 PagesColonialism and the African Experience Virtually everything that has gone wrong in Africa since the advent of independence has been blamed on the legacies of colonialism. Is that fair? Virtually all colonial powers had â€Å"colonial missions.† What were these missions and why were they apparently such a disaster? Did any good come out of the African â€Å"colonial experience†? Introduction Colonization of Africa by European countries was a monumental milestone in  ­ the development of Africa. The