The SADC heads of state and government are expected to deliberate on the political developments in the region, especially in the host country and neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where prospects for peace are increasingly becoming brighter.

“A new era of peace dawns in Angola following the ceasefire agreement, signed between the Angolan army and the military wing of UNITA on 4 April 2002,” said Prega Ramsamy, Executive Secretary of SADC.

In the DRC, foreign troops are currently withdrawing while the UN is expected to increase its presence if peace in the vast African country is to last.

On economic issues, the leaders are expected to discuss ways of arresting the current decline in growth of a number of regional economies. Southern Africa recorded a combined average economic growth rate of 1.9 percent in 2001, down from around three percent the previous year.

Like many other developing regions, SADC is aiming to achieve the internationally agreed economic growth rate of between six and seven percent needed to halve current poverty levels by 2015.

HIV/AIDS and food security are some of the social issues expected to come under spotlight. SADC has the highest proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS, and its impact is worsening especially in countries currently suffering from drought-induced shortages.

Against this background, the Summit is expected to renew efforts at acquiring cheaper generic drugs, as well as intensifying appeals for food aid to feed an estimated 13 million people facing starvation.

The council of ministers meeting, which precedes the Summit, has already started drawing up the agenda for the leaders, who are expected to arrive in Luanda on 1 October. The ministers are also reviewing progress on restructuring of SADC institutions, an exercise that began last year aimed at refocusing operations of the 14-member organisation.

Already, most of the sectors previously coordinated by member states have been clustered into directorates for central management at the Gaborone-based Secretariat. Three of the four directorates, on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment; Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources; and Social and Human Development and Special Programmes, have since been established. The last one on Infrastructure and Services will be set up in December.

The Summit will be officially opened by Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos who takes over as Chairperson of SADC from President Bakili Muluzi of Malawi.

The next Ordinary Summit will be hosted by Zimbabwe. (SARDC)