African National Congress/ Inkatha Freedom Party Agreement

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Country/entity: South Africa
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: African National Congress/ Inkatha Freedom Party Agreement
Date: 29 Jan 1991
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Post Apartheid South Africa and Namibian Independence (1990 - 1994)
South Africa – internal. The roots of the modern South African conflict are found in the British and Dutch colonization of Southern Africa, which resulted in the introduction of a white minority who soon held power in the region. The South African state emerged following a hard-fought pact between the British government and the white Afrikaner minority. ‘Apartheid’ – the Afrikaans word for separateness – became official government policy after 1948. Resistance to this system was widespread and took diverse forms. In 1912, the African National Congress (ANC) was formed to push for reforms in the country. After the 1960 Sharpeville massacre several organisations around the ANC took up arms and began to fight the Apartheid government using violent means. During the 1980s, President P.W. Botha introduced a reform policy that enabled the post-1990 peace agreements, which paved the way for the end of the apartheid system.

South Africa- Namibia. One set of agreements relates to the independence of Namibia which followed from the end of apartheid.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: South Africa peace process
Parties: ANC, Inkatha Freedom Party
Third parties: -
Description: Parties commit to bring about an end to violence, particularly in Natal and the Transvaal; and acknowledge right of each organization to exist; call on SAG to ensure fair and effective peacekeeping in affected areas. Agree series of joint mechanisms to implement agreement.

Agreement document: ZA_910129_ANC_IFP Agreement.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Rhetorical
Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
3. Both parties will act to ensure that all persons with authority over public facilities will allow their use by all people irrespective of their political affiliation. This applies to facilities such as venues and facilities specifically established for recreational and a variety of communal activities.
In particular both parties urge a return to school and normal learning and teaching and will take steps to ensure no pupil is excluded from school by virtue of political affiliation.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
... The leaders emphasised the need to normalise relationships between the two organisations, in pursuit of the aim of eradicating apartheid and establishing a united, non-racial and democratic South Africa.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
5. Both parties believe that it is essential that a reconstruction and development programme is expedited to reduce the potential for violence. This is particularly the case in Natal and the Transvaal hostels. This programme must be above partisan considerations and be designed to meet the needs of all people irrespective of any affiliation they may hold.
The programme must give priority to refugees and displaced persons arising from the violence and take all steps to peacefully and effectively reintegrate divided communities.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
... The leaders emphasised the need to normalise relationships between the two organisations, in pursuit of the aim of eradicating apartheid and establishing a united, non-racial and democratic South Africa.

Page 2, Joint declarations of the ANC and IFP
Further top-level meetings will be held from time to time as need arises to address among other issues, joint activities to eradicate the system of apartheid within the shortest possible time.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
... It was agreed that it was imperative that the decisions taken and proposals adopted should permeate down to the grassroots through the use of all available channels of communications.

Page 1, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
2. Both parties are committed to political tolerance and freedom of political activity. The ANC and IFP have the right to exist as political organisations with their own policies and programmes. The parties will act to create a climate between them free of forced recruitment and vilification.

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
4. Both parties wish to state their firm belief that no matter what agreements may be reached between them, the attainment of peace also requires the existence of an effective peace-keeping role by the security forces and that the South African government must accept its responsibilities in this regard.
Both parties agree to take steps to ensure that all security force members would:
... - act and function with due respect for the sensitive community situations that exists.

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
5. Both parties believe that it is essential that a reconstruction and development programme is expedited to reduce the potential for violence. This is particularly the case in Natal and the Transvaal hostels. This programme must be above partisan considerations and be designed to meet the needs of all people irrespective of any affiliation they may hold.
The programme must give priority to refugees and displaced persons arising from the violence and take all steps to peacefully and effectively reintegrate divided communities.

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
In order to implement the principles agreed upon today the high level contact between the IFP and the ANC will continue through existing joint mechanisms. The committees charged with this task will, after due and proper involvement of local leadership and grassroots structures, report to the ANC National Executive and to the IFP Central Committee on obstacles encountered and progress made in terms of the following brief:

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
Principle 1
To develop practical steps to bring about an end to violence between the organisations in these regions, to facilitate local level peace initiatives and to act as crisis contact points. The committees must consolidate and implement existing local agreements such as the Lower Umfolozi Peace Accord.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: Power sharing→Economic power sharing→Sharing of resources
Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
Principle 3
The ANC and the IFP will co-operate in initiating and implementing non-partisan reconstruction programmes in areas devastated by violence.
All resources available to any one organisation for reconstruction work should, whenever feasible and desirable, be made available to a trust fund to be jointly administered.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Other
Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
Principle 4
To develop a code or codes of conduct based on accepted principles and practices which do not impinge negatively on the rights of individuals and political groups and which are equally applicable to both organisations and all security forces.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
... The leaders emphasised the need to normalise relationships between the two organisations, in pursuit of the aim of eradicating apartheid and establishing a united, non-racial and democratic South Africa.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
... It was agreed that it was imperative that the decisions taken and proposals adopted should permeate down to the grassroots through the use of all available channels of communications.

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
Principle 2
To ensure that all persons affected by Principle 1 are aware of this agreement and that they take active steps to implement it.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
5. Both parties believe that it is essential that a reconstruction and development programme is expedited to reduce the potential for violence. This is particularly the case in Natal and the Transvaal hostels. This programme must be above partisan considerations and be designed to meet the needs of all people irrespective of any affiliation they may hold.
The programme must give priority to refugees and displaced persons arising from the violence and take all steps to peacefully and effectively reintegrate divided communities.
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Infrastructure and reconstruction
Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
Principle 3
The ANC and the IFP will co-operate in initiating and implementing non-partisan reconstruction programmes in areas devastated by violence.
All resources available to any one organisation for reconstruction work should, whenever feasible and desirable, be made available to a trust fund to be jointly administered.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
... The primary purpose of the meeting was to explore ways and means to bring about the final cessation of the violence which has already cost more than 8000 lives and caused millions of rands of damage.

Page 1, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
1. Both parties call for an end to the present violence in Natal and the Transvaal. They will take steps to prevent acts of violence and destruction among their members or carried out by their members and they will act to deter other parties from instigating and carrying out acts of violence and destruction.

Page 1, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
2. Both parties are committed to political tolerance and freedom of political activity. The ANC and IFP have the right to exist as political organisations with their own policies and programmes. The parties will act to create a climate between them free of forced recruitment and vilification.

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
5. Both parties believe that it is essential that a reconstruction and development programme is expedited to reduce the potential for violence. This is particularly the case in Natal and the Transvaal hostels. This programme must be above partisan considerations and be designed to meet the needs of all people irrespective of any affiliation they may hold.

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
Principle 1
To develop practical steps to bring about an end to violence between the organisations in these regions, to facilitate local level peace initiatives and to act as crisis contact points. The committees must consolidate and implement existing local agreements such as the Lower Umfolozi Peace Accord.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
Page 2, Joint declarations of the ANC and IFP
We, the leaders of the African National Congress and the Inkatha Freedom Party meeting in Durban on 29 January 1991, appalled at the tragic violence which has decimated many of our communities over the years, now solemnly:
1. Call upon all our people, members of the ANC and IFP as well as our allies to cease all attacks against one another with immediate effect, and to promote the quest for peace within our communities;
2. Call upon our membership and supporters to desist from vilification of either of our organisations and leaders;
3. Further call on all our members and supporters not to coerce or intimidate anyone in pursuit of their strategies and programmes;
5. Resolve to organise a joint tour of all affected areas, by the deputy president of the ANC, Dr Nelson Mandela, and the president of the IFP, Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Concrete arrangements for the tour will be made by appropriate joint structures.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
4. Both parties wish to state their firm belief that no matter what agreements may be reached between them, the attainment of peace also requires the existence of an effective peace-keeping role by the security forces and that the South African government must accept its responsibilities in this regard.
Both parties agree to take steps to ensure that all security force members would:
- act without political bias;
- receive professional and appropriate training as a peace-keeping force; and
- act and function with due respect for the sensitive community situations that exists.

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
Principle 4
To develop a code or codes of conduct based on accepted principles and practices which do not impinge negatively on the rights of individuals and political groups and which are equally applicable to both organisations and all security forces.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, UNTITLED PREAMBLE
... The leaders emphasised the need to normalise relationships between the two organisations, in pursuit of the aim of eradicating apartheid and establishing a united, non-racial and democratic South Africa.

Page 1, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
1. Both parties call for an end to the present violence in Natal and the Transvaal. They will take steps to prevent acts of violence and destruction among their members or carried out by their members and they will act to deter other parties from instigating and carrying out acts of violence and destruction.

Page 1, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, INTRODUCTION
2. Both parties are committed to political tolerance and freedom of political activity. The ANC and IFP have the right to exist as political organisations with their own policies and programmes. The parties will act to create a climate between them free of forced recruitment and vilification.

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
Principle 1
To develop practical steps to bring about an end to violence between the organisations in these regions, to facilitate local level peace initiatives and to act as crisis contact points. The committees must consolidate and implement existing local agreements such as the Lower Umfolozi Peace Accord.

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
Principle 2
To ensure that all persons affected by Principle 1 are aware of this agreement and that they take active steps to implement it.

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
Principle 4
To develop a code or codes of conduct based on accepted principles and practices which do not impinge negatively on the rights of individuals and political groups and which are equally applicable to both organisations and all security forces.

Page 2, Joint declarations of the ANC and IFP
We, the leaders of the African National Congress and the Inkatha Freedom Party meeting in Durban on 29 January 1991, appalled at the tragic violence which has decimated many of our communities over the years, now solemnly:
1. Call upon all our people, members of the ANC and IFP as well as our allies to cease all attacks against one another with immediate effect, and to promote the quest for peace within our communities;
2. Call upon our membership and supporters to desist from vilification of either of our organisations and leaders;
3. Further call on all our members and supporters not to coerce or intimidate anyone in pursuit of their strategies and programmes;
5. Resolve to organise a joint tour of all affected areas, by the deputy president of the ANC, Dr Nelson Mandela, and the president of the IFP, Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Concrete arrangements for the tour will be made by appropriate joint structures.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
Principle 1
To develop practical steps to bring about an end to violence between the organisations in these regions, to facilitate local level peace initiatives and to act as crisis contact points. The committees must consolidate and implement existing local agreements such as the Lower Umfolozi Peace Accord.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: [Summary: 'Implementation': Provides for joint committee to implement agreement to develop practical steps to end violence, consolidating and implementing existing local agmts; joint mechanism to monitor all violations of the agmts and recommend appropriate action.]

Page 2, Agreement between the ANC and the IFP, IMPLEMENTATION
In order to implement the principles agreed upon today the high level contact between the IFP and the ANC will continue through existing joint mechanisms. The committees charged with this task will, after due and proper involvement of local leadership and grassroots structures, report to the ANC National Executive and to the IFP Central Committee on obstacles encountered and progress made in terms of the following brief:

Page 2, Joint declarations of the ANC and IFP
We, the leaders of the African National Congress and the Inkatha Freedom Party meeting in Durban on 29 January 1991, appalled at the tragic violence which has decimated many of our communities over the years, now solemnly:
... 4. Resolve to use the existing joint mechanism to monitor all violations of the agreement and recommend appropriate action;
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: ANC website
www.anc.org.za [link no longer working]

APPENDIX E

AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS/INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY AGREEMENT:

29 JANUARY 1991

Joint statement of the IFP/ANC meeting

A meeting of delegates of the Central Committee of the IFP and the National Executive Committee of the ANC, led respectively by Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Dr Nelson Mandela, deputy president of the ANC, was held in Durban on 29 January 1991

The consultation between the two organisations was held under the joint chairmanship of Dr F T Mdlalose, the national chairman of IFP, and Mr A Nzo, secretary general of the ANC.

Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, president of IFP, and Dr Nelson Mandela, deputy president of the ANC, both addressed the meeting.

Both emphasised the historic importance of the occasion.

They stressed that they were extremely conscious of the high national and international expectations for the success of the meeting.

The primary purpose of the meeting was to explore ways and means to bring about the final cessation of the violence which has already cost more than 8000 lives and caused millions of rands of damage.

The leaders emphasised the need to normalise relationships between the two organisations, in pursuit of the aim of eradicating apartheid and establishing a united, non-racial and democratic South Africa.

It was agreed that it was imperative that the decisions taken and proposals adopted should permeate down to the grassroots through the use of all available channels of communications.

Discussions were far reaching and frank and both sides agreed on the need for further discussions.

At the end of the discussions the following agreement and joint declaration were agreed upon:

Agreement between the ANC and the IFP

INTRODUCTION

1. Both parties call for an end to the present violence in Natal and the Transvaal.

They will take steps to prevent acts of violence and destruction among their members or carried out by their members and they will act to deter other parties from instigating and carrying out acts of violence and destruction.

2. Both parties are committed to political tolerance and freedom of political activity.

The ANC and IFP have the right to exist as political organisations with their own policies and programmes.

The parties will act to create a climate between them free of forced recruitment and vilification.

3. Both parties will act to ensure that all persons with authority over public facilities will allow their use by all people irrespective of their political affiliation.

This applies to facilities such as venues and facilities specifically established for recreational and a variety of communal activities.

In particular both parties urge a return to school and normal learning and teaching and will take steps to ensure no pupil is excluded from school by virtue of political affiliation.

4. Both parties wish to state their firm belief that no matter what agreements may be reached between them, the attainment of peace also requires the existence of an effective peace-keeping role by the security forces and that the South African government must accept its responsibilities in this regard.

Both parties agree to take steps to ensure that all security force members would:

act without political bias;

receive professional and appropriate training as a peace-keeping force;

and

act and function with due respect for the sensitive community situations that exists.

5. Both parties believe that it is essential that a reconstruction and development programme ise xpedited to reduce the potential for violence.

This is particularly the case in Natal and the Transvaal hostels.

This programme must be above partisan considerations and be designed to meet the needs of all people irrespective of any affiliation they may hold.

The programme must give priority to refugees and displaced persons arising from the violence and take all steps to peacefully and effectively reintegrate divided communities.

IMPLEMENTATION

In order to implement the principles agreed upon today the high level contact between the IFP and the ANC will continue through existing joint mechanisms.

The committees charged with this task will, after due and proper involvement of local leadership and grassroots structures, report to the ANC National Executive and to the IFP Central Committee on obstacles encountered and progress made in terms of the following brief:

Principle 1

To develop practical steps to bring about an end to violence between the organisations in these regions, to facilitate local level peace initiatives and to act as crisis contact points.

The committees must consolidate and implement existing local agreements such as the Lower Umfolozi Peace Accord.

Principle 2

To ensure that all persons affected by Principle 1 are aware of this agreement and that they take active steps to implement it.

Principle 3

The ANC and the IFP will co-operate in initiating and implementing non-partisan reconstruction programmes in areas devastated by violence.

All resources available to any one organisation for reconstruction work should, whenever feasible and desirable, be made available to a trust fund to be jointly administered.

Principle 4

To develop a code or codes of conduct based on accepted principles and practices which do not impinge negatively on the rights of individuals and political groups and which are equally applicable to both organisations and all security forces.

Joint declarations of the ANC and IFP

We, the leaders of the African National Congress and the Inkatha Freedom Party meeting in Durban on 29 January 1991, appalled at the tragic violence which has decimated many of our communities over the years, now solemnly:

1. Call upon all our people, members of the ANC and IFP as well as our allies to cease all attacks against one another with immediate effect, and to promote the quest for peace within our communities;

2. Call upon our membership and supporters to desist from vilification of either of our organisations and leaders;

3. Further call on all our members and supporters not to coerce or intimidate anyone in pursuit of their strategies and programmes;

4. Resolve to use the existing joint mechanism to monitor all violations of the agreement and recommend appropriate action;

5. Resolve to organise a joint tour of all affected areas, by the deputy president of the ANC, Dr Nelson Mandela, and the president of the IFP, Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Concrete arrangements for the tour will be made by appropriate joint structures.

Further top-level meetings will be held from time to time as need arises to address among other issues, joint activities to eradicate the system of apartheid within the shortest possible time.