exacerbated inrecentyearsbyeconomic recession, debtandausterity programmes. Abriefaccount ofthecurrent transit-transport system onaregional and subregional basisisgivenbelow. Q/ B.Southern Africa 12.Thesouthern African regionincludes sixland-locked countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland, ZambiaandZimbabwe. Thebehaviour ofSouthAfrica towardsitsland-locked neighbours isunique, because ofitsassertive economic monopoly poweroverthesecountries. Theefforts undertaken bytheland-locked countries andtheirtransit neighbours ofAngol~, Mozambique andtheUnited Republic ofTangania tofosterco-operative arrangements amongthemselves in various areas,particularly intransport, haveledtotheestablishment ofthe Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference (SADCC) andtheSouthern African Transport andCommunications Commission (SATCC). 1/Theseefforts are designed notonlytofostersubregional co-prosperity butalsotoreducetheir dependence onSouthAfrica. Theland-locked countries ofsouthern Africa can currently transport theiroverseas exports andimports viatheirtransit countries: SouthAfrica (through theportsofDurban, Richard Bay,PortElizabeth andCape TO~tn), Mozambique (through theportsofMaputo, Nacala andBeira) andthe UnitedRepublic ofTanzania (through theportofDaresSalaam). Inthepast (until1975), Angolaalsoprovided transit services withgoodspassing through the portofLibito. Inthefuture, Namibia mayalsoprovide suchservices, withgoods passing through Walvis Bay. 13.Transit through SouthAfrican portshasanumberofproblems. Firstly, there arenumerous restrictions onhowgoodsmaybecarried through thecountry. For example, theSouthAfrican policyofguarding themonopoly oftherailway system hasmeantthatthebulkofthecargohastobemovedbyr.aileveninthosecases whereroadtransport mightbecheaper andfaster. Withrespect toroadtransp'>rt, thereisasystemofrvadpermits thatmakesitdifficult fornon-South African roadhauliers tocarrygoodstoandfromtheports, andthishashadamajor detrimental effect onthedevelopment c.finternational roadhaulage inBotswana, Lesotho andSwaziland. Insurgency activity inMozambique physically cutthe I •.lAA/44/588 English Page10 transit corridors fromZimbabwe t~Maputo andfromMalawitoBeira an~Nacalain theearly1980s. Theresulting diversion oftradeinflated thepriceof transit-transport services, increased thodependency oftheland-locked cc·untries 01'SouthAfrican transit routes, an"-;;lc!m"ted Mozambique's invisible earninqs from transit trade. TheBeiraCorw'idor, ·,elween theportofBelraandZimbabwe has .r.mai~ed openonlywithmilitary protection oftherailway lineinMozambique. IFurthermore, therailroutetoBairaishillyandexpersive toop~ratel equipment intheportisoftenbroken downlthequayfoundations ofmostoftheberthsarein dangerofcollapsingl andthereisarestricted approach channel, whichmeansthat theportcanonlytakeshipsofupto60,000tons. 14.Theotheralternative surface transport systems havevarying deficIencies. Therailway fromZambiatoOaresSalaamhaaapooroperational performance owing toanumberoffactors: lowlocomotive availability, owinqmainlytola~kofspare parts(itisestimated th~t44percentofthewagonfleetinZambiaisover 30yearsold,andsomeireover60years(",d)'anerratic supplyofdiaselfuel associated withforeign-Axchanqe problemsl andthelowleveloftraininq. Inthe portofOaresSalaam, thereisaslow offt~ke andresultant conqestion, andthere isalackofservil~eable equipment. Arecentestimate suggested thatonlyone thirdofforklif~ tru~ks andtractors areworking. Customs delaysarecommon, and thereisa~son~~ohlem ofpilferage. Roadsthrough boththeUnitedRepublic of Tanzania andZambiaareinpoor cond~tion. Ithasrecently beenestimated that 25perc~ntofthetransit roa~network in~ambianeedsrehabIlitation. Beiraand OaresSalaamcurrently handleabout2.5mi!lion tonsoffreight andthis,for OaresSalaam, includes tradp ..theUnitedRepublic ofTanzania, Zaire,Rwanda, Burundi andUqanda, aswellastheland-locked countries ofsouthern Africa. In theeventofpolitical instability inSouth Af~~caorborderclosures thesetwo portswouldnothavethecapacity tohandlealltheimportandexport demandofthe
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges and limitations of the transportation system in the southern African region, particularly for landlocked countries, and the impact of economic recession, debt, and austerity programs. It highlights the importance of cooperation among countries to reduce their dependence on South Africa and the need for alternative transportation systems. The text also mentions the problems with the rail and road networks in the region, including poor operational performance, low locomotive availability, and customs delays.

**Category**
Transport and communication, International trade