Introduction

In 1994 a number of positive changes came to southern Africa, affecting practically all the countries covered by the regional delegation. Democratic elections in Mozambique and South Africa were complemented by those in Malawi, where a new government was voted in, putting an end to 30 years of autocratic rule. The 1.5 million Mozambican refugees in the region had almost all returned home by the end of 1994, lifting a major burden from Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Namibia and Botswana the governments in place were returned in general elections. Only in Lesotho did the situation deteriorate, but the crisis was settled by the end of the year.

The principal activities of the regional delegation in 1994 included the continuation of detention-related activities in Malawi; the promotion of international humanitarian law, particularly in Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Zambia; coordinating and supporting tracing work carried out by National Red Cross Societies; and helping to strengthen the capacity of National Societies in regard to emergency preparedness, information, dissemination and the development of their internal telecommunications systems.

At the regional level the delegation was instrumental in setting up a Regional Seminar for the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law, held from 31 January to 4 February in Harare, where representatives of 18 English-speaking African countries discussed possibilities for incorporating this body of law in their respective legal systems. The delegation also participated in the Seminar on African Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Harare from 16 to 18 February, gave a talk on the issue of antipersonnel mines and the 1980 UN Weapons Convention at the annual gathering of legal advisers to armed forces of the SADC (Southern Africa Development Community) countries in Windhoek on 2 June, and organized an international seminar entitled "Imprisonment or what else?'' in conjunction with Prison Fellowship International in Harare from 9 to 11 November. At this last meeting problems of overcrowding in prisons and alternatives to incarceration were discussed by magistrates and officers from the prison services of Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The delegation also coordinated logistics and purchases for ICRC operations in Zaire, Angola and Mozambique.

From 1 January 1995 the Harare delegation will also cover Mozambique, while Lesotho and Swaziland will be covered by the regional delegation in Pretoria.

BOTSWANA
LESOTHO
MALAWI
NAMIBIA
SWAZILAND
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE

BOTSWANA

In the run-up to the elections in South Africa, and particularly during the riots in Bophuthatswana, the Botswana Red Cross Society prepared to take action if necessary. With ICRC support, the National Society evaluated the means it had available and stepped up its emergency preparedness, with particular regard to its capacity to receive refugees. Fortunately none of these precautions proved necessary.


LESOTHO

Unrest in the new democracy of Lesotho at the end of 1993 spilled over into 1994, with one part of the army pitted against the other in street fighting, resulting in the death of 11 civilians. On 14 April mutinous soldiers demanding a pay increase took four ministers hostage and the Deputy Prime Minister was killed in a shoot-out. The hostages were freed the same day. In May the police and the prison service went on strike, also demanding more pay. The country's economy and security conditions began to plummet. In August the King announced that he had decided to partially suspend the constitution and to dissolve government, which had been democratically elected in 1993 after 23 years of military rule. Street riots subsequently broke out in Maseru on 17 August and a curfew was imposed. By mid-September the King had reinstated the government, following pressure from countries of the region and the threat of economic sanctions.

The regional delegation in Harare made Lesotho its top priority in terms of dissemination of international humanitarian law and organized a number of courses and seminars on the subject, in particular for officers of the armed forces, the police and the prison service. The ICRC provided the Lesotho Red Cross Society with material support and extra training to optimize its emergency preparedness. The National Society's telecommunications system was also improved.

In May Lesotho acceded to the two Protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions.


MALAWI

The ICRC's programme of visits to the country's 27 prisons was completed in November and the sub-delegation in Blantyre was closed, leaving the regional delegation in Harare to carry out follow-up visits in 1995. Besides making the usual recommendations and providing material assistance during its prison visits, the ICRC also did a great deal to improve sanitation and hygiene in the prisons, including work on latrines, water supply systems and kitchens.

In the run-up to the May elections, the National Society set up first-aid posts at all the main polling booths, with support from the Federation and the ICRC.

Following the change in government the delegation held a dissemination workshop for police officers from 26 to 28 October and gained access to police stations.


NAMIBIA

In July Namibia succeeded to the two Additional Protocols and became the first State in southern Africa to formally recognize the competence of the Fact-Finding Commission established pursuant to Article 90 of Protocol I additional to the Geneva Conventions.

In October the ICRC officially closed its office in Windhoek, which had been run by one local employee.



SWAZILAND

Efforts made by the ICRC and the Baphalali Swaziland Red Cross Society to persuade the country's government to accede to the Additional Protocols were unsuccessful in 1994. The National Society was actively involved in dissemination work throughout the year, including regular radio broadcasts and a seminar to promote international humanitarian law among high-ranking civil servants, held in Mbabane from 27 to 29 June with help from the ICRC.



ZAMBIA

The new government of Zambia was still setting up its judiciary in 1994, thus providing the ICRC with an opportunity to actively promote international humanitarian law. In March the regional delegate met the Ministers of Home Affairs and Defence, with a view to encouraging Zambia to accede to the Additional Protocols and the 1980 UN Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons.

In September the ICRC's regional delegate in Harare and a legal expert from Geneva accompanied a member of the Committee, the ICRC's governing body, on a mission to Zambia. During the mission Zambia Red Cross officials presented the National Society's activities, which in 1994 included a centre for street children in Lusaka, a reception programme for 1,600 returnees from Zaire and various dissemination broadcasts on national radio.



ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe remained peaceful in 1994 as it moved towards legislative and presidential elections in March 1995. In addition to hosting the international events mentioned in the introduction to this chapter, Harare was the venue for three regional seminars for the National Societies of countries of the region: coordination among information officers (June); reflections on Red Cross ethics and international humanitarian law with the seven Secretaries-General (July); tracing activities and the tying-up of the programme for Mozambican refugees (November).