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Ayesha Kajee

May 18, 2007

Ayesha Kajee is the program head of Democracy and Political Party Systems in Africa at the South African Institute of International Affairs

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Ayesha KajeeImage: privat

As far as South Africa's role in the G8 goes, it has a degree of clout within international organizations that is perhaps not reflected within its economic power. It's almost a strong moral perception that South Africa is a key driver economically and politically on the continent.

The fact that South Africa is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council means that it has a say in negotiating conflicts on the continent. Certainly on the issue of Darfur, it has a more influential role than any of the other G8 countries.

Other issues such as foreign aid to Africa, particularly in healthcare and the burgeoning HIV/AIDS epidemic will feature on the G8 agenda. And there will also be some pressure from South Africa for more action on infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis.