Mauritius: Common Declaration on NEPAD

Africa Pulse 5/6/02

Mauritius: Common Declaration on NEPAD

By Ashok Subron

Common Declaration adopted by social, women's, youth, peasant's, education,
research organisations as well as trade unions of the Republic of Mauritius

Workshop organised in relation the World Summit for Sustainable development
23-25 May 2002, Quatre Bornes, Republic of Mauritius

1. NEPAD has not been subjected to any democratic debate neither in
Mauritius nor in any African countries.

2. NEPAD is rather a project being steered through by an African elite in
conjunction with the World Bank, the World Economic Forum and the G8.

3. NEPAD is based on the assumption that the present corporate-led
globalisation represents progress for humanity. This is not the case at all.

4. NEPAD contains many of the fiercely contested conditionalities of the
IMF/WB: conditionalities like the Structural Adjustment Program, neo-liberal
policies and the cuts on social spending that have largely contributed to
aggravate poverty in Africa.

5. NEPAD is proposing a development strategy that threatens the economic and
social rights of the African people and that are creating the conditions for
the re-colonisation of Africa by big multinational companies.

6. NEPAD is making an economic projection of 7% growth, which seems
unrealistic under the present context of globalisation.

7. We believe that the "under-development" of Africa is a result of the
following main factors:

a. Colonialism and slavery imposed on Africa.

b. Unequal trade relations at international level which have resulted in the
constant decrease of the selling price of African goods.

c. The application of imposed IMF/WB measures.

d. The absence of democracy in many African countries.

e. The lack of unity and coherence of the African States in defending the
interest of the African people against the onslaught of multinationals and
international institutions.

8. We believe that there cannot be any progress and "sustainable
development" of Africa, UNLESS there is:

a. A total cancellation of the debt of all African countries, without any
conditionalities.

b. Reparation paid to African countries for the damage done to Africa and
its people though colonialism and slavery.

c. The repatriation of all the wealth that has been accumulated as a direct
result of the pillage of Africa.

d. A fundamental change towards a more equal terms of international exchange
and to review the unjust World Trade Organisation rules.

e. A reduction of the military and repressive budgets of African countries.

f. Genuine democracy where African people can have our say in the
development of social and economic policies.

g. Political, Economic & Social rights for African citizens.

9. The strategy and orientation in NEPAD are in total contradiction with the
aspirations and vision of many civil society organisations in Africa.

10. Given that there has been no democratic debate that have taken into
consideration the concerns raised above, we REJECT the NEPAD program.

11. We call on all African organisations, whether trade unions, social,
women's, youth or peasants' organisations, as well as academics, to take a
firm stand against the NEPAD.

12. To the government of Mauritius:

a. We call on the government to make public all documents and official
stands taken by the government in relation to NEPAD. In this respect a
special " information desk" should be set up for public to have access.

b. The government cannot commit the citizens of the Republic of Mauritius to
any international agreements or processes which violate our fundamental
rights, especially our social and economic rights.

c. Given that there has not been any democratic debate and given that the
NEPAD contains serious threats to our people, we call on the Mauritian
government NOT to go ahead with the presentation of NEPAD in the coming G8
meeting and its launch in July 2002..

Declaration adopted by the following Mauritian organisations on the 25th May
2002, Quatre Bornes, Republic of Mauritius:
(Workshop organised in relation the World Summit for Sustainable development
23-25 May 2002, Quatre Bornes, Republic of Mauritius)

* Apostolat de la Mer
* Art-Jonction (c/o Yves Pictchen)
* Association Scout et Guide St Michel
* Association Socio-Culturelle de Tranquebar
* CEDREFI
* Centre de Solidarite pour une Nouvelle Vie
* Governement Servant Association
* Eco-Sud
* Institute for Environmental and Legal Studies
* Ledikasyon pu Travayer
* Les Amis de Chamarel
* Lupus Alert
* Mauritius Labour Congress
* Mouvement Bien-Etre Batterie Cassee
* Mouvement pour le progres de Roche Bois
* Planteurs du Nord
* Rodrigues Government Employees Association
* Services Sans Frontieres
* SOS Femmes
* Southern Planters Association
* Terre de Paix
* Youth (Rodrigues)

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