SADC 'pressured' to sign with EU

Cape Town - South Africa is not unduly concerned that some of the SADC member countries have signed economic partnership agreements with the European Union.

Telling Members of Parliament this on Wednesday Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe added: "What really is of concern to us is the type and amount of pressure that is being applied to members to get them to accede to such agreements."

The deputy president added that the South African Customs Union is having a strategy session later this month, "so that we do not weaken the region by signing agreements that would undermine the integrity of the region" he said.

The deputy president was also asked about the contributions made by African countries to the African Union, which he said reflects the strength and size of the different states. "This has been a source of great weakness," he said.

He told the National Assembly that some other well-resourced countries use resources to extract undue influence by paying for the weaker countries.

He specifically identified the Libyan leader as one such.

"Most of the members rely on donor funding even for their budget," "Motlanthe observed. "That is why it has been so easy for the efforts of the brother leader of the Jamahariya to try and get himself designated as king of kings in Africa.

"He has entertained such grandiose claims because in the main he has been very generous in contributing to these projects and at the same time also trying to influence the content and direction of what happens in these projects.

"When poorer countries run out of resources, if they don't vote for him he can simply close the tap. And that's a challenge that we have to deal with."

- I-Net Bridge