# tblSANF

title:
Angola's MPLA sweeps parliamentary elections

Abstract:
ANGOLA'S RULING party has
won 191 seats in the 220-member
Angolan parliament, according
to the final results of the legislative
elections held on 5-
September.

body:
ANGOLA'S RULING party has
won 191 seats in the 220-member
Angolan parliament, according
to the final results of the legislative
elections held on 5-
September.
The Angola National Electoral
Commission said the ruling Popular
Movement for the Liberation
of Angola (MPLA) won 81.64
percent of the votes with
5,266,216 million votes, while the
main opposition party, the National
Union for the Total Independence
of Angola
(Unita), garnered 10.39
percent of the votes representing
16 seats in the
national assembly.
The rest of the seats went to
the Social Renovation Party
(PRS) with eight representatives,
the Angola National Freedom
Front (FNLA) with three,
and the New Democratic Coalition
(NDC) with two.
In the previous legislature,
the ruling party controlled 129
seats against 70 for Unita and
six for PRS.
The SADC Electoral Observer
Mission (SEOM), like most
observer missions, gave the
Angola poll a favourable report.
In a preliminary statement,
SEOM congratulated the
"people of Angola for a peaceful,
free, transparent, credible, and professionally managed
elections which reflect the will
of the people."
The current parliament will
have a four-year life span, while
next year Angola will hold presidential
elections.
Angola last went to the polls
in 1992. The elections were,
however, aborted after the first
round of voting when Jonas
Savimbi, the late leader of
Unita, alleged that there had
been widespread vote rigging.
This led to the resumption
of what was already a protracted
civil war, which ended in
2002 following the death of
Savimbi.


Abstract:
A STEERING committee of
the Southern African Power
Pool (SAPP) met in late August
to assess progress in the
implementation of power
projects in the SADC region.

body:
A STEERING committee of
the Southern African Power
Pool (SAPP) met in late August
to assess progress in the
implementation of power
projects in the SADC region.
The meeting in Harare was
a follow-up to the mid-year
status report presented to the
28th SADC Heads of State and
Government Summit on 16-17
August.
The report had highlighted
that the electricity supply-demand
situation in the region
continues to be unstable and
warned that this is likely to impact
on the SADC regional integration
agenda, which depends
on the availability of energy
and infrastructure services.
In view of this, the SADC
Secretariat in conjunction with
the SAPP Coordinating Centre
established a review committee
that will closely monitor
the situation to ensure that
short-term rehabilitation and
generation projects are on
track to complement power
supply in the region.
"It was the first meeting of
the steering committee and it looked at the implementation
of power projects in the SADC
region," said SAPP Co-ordination
Centre Manager,
Lawrence Musaba. "We
looked at where we are, how
many projects have been implemented
and those that
have not been implemented
since 2005."
The committee attributed
the slow progress in energy
development to financial constraints
arising from low tariffs,
inappropriate national
policies and lack of political
will.
Musaba said the structure
of the electricity industry in
the region has a bearing on the
development of the sector in
some countries.
"In some countries, the private
sector is not allowed to
invest in the industry, making
it difficult to attract investment.
"National policy and political
will are some of the factors
that affect the implementation
of projects," he said.
The lack of a national and
regional policy has in particular
affected hydropower-generating
plants in Angola, Democratic
Republic of Congo
(DRC), Mozambique, United
Republic of Tanzania, Zambia
and Zimbabwe that have potential
to alleviate the electricity
shortages in the region.
The current challenge for
the region is to be able to meet
the ever-increasing power demand,
noting that the installed
capacity and the available
capacity are not increasing
at the same rate.
The installed capacity of
the SAPP as of April 2008 was
55,032MW while dependable
capacity is 47,000MW indicating
a deficit of about 8,000MW
without giving cognisance to
the requisite 10 percent reserve
margin.
A new generation plant
was commissioned in South
Africa (1,050MW) and another
plant that had been temporarily
put out of operation was
brought to service (2 x
190MW) at Camden.
In Swaziland, 20MW of
new plant was commissioned
in December 2007. In Angola 2x130MW units were commissioned
at Capanda in March
and July 2007, respectively.
Angola, Tanzania and
Malawi are still non-operating
members of SAPP meaning
that they are not yet connected
to the SAPP grid and thus do
not enjoy the benefits of energy
trading in the region.
SAPP was created with the
primary objective of providing
reliable and economical
electricity supply to consumers
consistent with reasonable
utilisation of natural
resources and the effect on the
environment.
In February this year, the
SADC Ministerial Taskforce
on the Implementation of
Power Sector Projects met in
Botswana and adopted a road
map to accelerate the region’s
recovery from the power
shortages emanating from
high demand.
The taskforce noted that an
enabling environment was indispensable
in accelerating
private sector participation
and additional investment in
the power sector.


title:
Four SADC countries sign up to new power interconnector project

Abstract:
FOUR SADC countries have
signed a memorandum of understanding
to develop an electricity
transmission interconnector,
which will result in an increase in
power trading among the participating
utilities.

body:
FOUR SADC countries have
signed a memorandum of understanding
to develop an electricity
transmission interconnector,
which will result in an increase in
power trading among the participating
utilities.
The project, which is called
Zizabona -- representing Zimbabwe,
Zambia, Botswana and
Namibia, the four participating
countries -- will provide an alternative
power transmission
route and help decongest the existing
central transmission corridor
that currently passes
through Zimbabwe.
The countries’ respective
utility companies will finance
parts of the project that fall
within their national boundaries.
These are the Zimbabwe
Electricity Supply Authority
(ZESA), Zambia Electricity Supply
Company (ZESCO),
Botswana Power Corporation
(BPC) and Namibia Power
Company (NamPower).
The project will result in an
increase in electricity trade among the four participating
utilities, Musaba said.
"The central corridor has
been overloaded since the beginning
of this year resulting in
the SAPP grid operating as
three separate islands and so
the Zizabona interconnector
project will provide an alternative
transmission route that will
help decongest the existing central
transmission corridor
which passes through Zimbabwe."
The project came as a result
of recommendations made by
the Central Transmission Corridor
Company, established by SAPP Member States last year to
look at the problems of decongesting
the central transmission
corridor, as well as enhancing
infrastructure and transmission
capabilities in the region.
The project is to be implemented
in two phases. The first
phase is expected to be commissioned
by December 2009 and
the second in 2012.
The first phase of the project
has already begun and will
cover the construction of a 120-
km 330kV line from Hwange
Power Station to Victoria Falls
where a switching station will
be built on the Zimbabwe side.
The line will extend to a substation
at Livingstone in Zambia.
ZESA and ZESCO will finance
this first phase and the
two utilities have already established
a special purpose vehicle
for funding the project.
The second phase which will
be financed under a special company
to be called Zizabona Pvt
Ltd, and this will involve the construction
of a 300-km 330kV line
from Livingstone to Katima
Mulilo in Namibia, through Pandamatenga
in Botswana.
According to SAPP, utility
companies in participating
countries have already set up
working groups to prepare for
the start of the project, as they
will be responsible for financing
the project.
"Technical studies have already
been done and financial
and economic evaluation is already
in progress," Musaba said.
The Zimbabwe-Zambia interconnector
will be built as a high
voltage line with a transmission
capacity of 430kV. However, it
will operate as a 330kV line during
the first phase.
Musaba highlighted that the
project is going to come online
much faster than the WESTCOR
project because of the commitment
of the Member States involved.
The WESTCOR transmission
interconnector project, which
aims at transmitting 3500MW
from Inga 3 in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) to the
south has been on the cards for
more than a decade now and involves,
Angola, Botswana, DRC,
Namibia and South Africa.
The Zizabona project will
also make it possible for Nam-
Power to import power directly
from Hwange in Zimbabwe.
Currently electricity from the
Hwange Power Station is being
routed to Namibia through
South Africa until the NamPower's
Caprivi Link Interconnector
operational.
According to NamPower
spokesperson, John Kaimu, the
Zizabona project will be important
for Namibia because it will complete the link and create
corridor for power import and
export to the four countries.
"Zizabona will create the alternative
route that is very important
for power imports from
neighbouring countries," said
Kaimu.
Zizabona is expected to run
concurrently with the rehabilitation
of Hwange Power Station,
which began in 2007.
Southern Africa has seven
major transmission interconnector
projects, which are supposed
be commissioned by 2009
enable the smooth trading of additional
generating capacity,
which is expected to become
available by 2009.


title:
Namibia gets more electricity from Zimbabwe

Abstract:
THE POWER purchase agreement
signed between Namibia
and Zimbabwe continues to
bring more power to Namibia,
with 40 megawatts (MW) more
flowing in, an increase from
80MW to 120MW since August.
National power utility, Nam-
Power, confirmed that the
agreement is on course and that
Zimbabwe, through the Zimbabwe
Electricity Supply Authority
(ZESA), has since August
increased its export to
Namibia by 40MW from the
previous 80MW.

body:
THE POWER purchase agreement
signed between Namibia
and Zimbabwe continues to
bring more power to Namibia,
with 40 megawatts (MW) more
flowing in, an increase from
80MW to 120MW since August.
National power utility, Nam-
Power, confirmed that the
agreement is on course and that
Zimbabwe, through the Zimbabwe
Electricity Supply Authority
(ZESA), has since August
increased its export to
Namibia by 40MW from the
previous 80MW.
Under the deal signed between
the two countries,
Namibia will receive 150MW
for a minimum of five years as
part of a power purchase
agreement with ZESA’s parent company, the Zimbabwe Electricity
and Transmission Company
(ZETCO).
The US$40 million paid by
Namibia would be used to refurbish
and expand Hwange
Power Station.
The four generators at
Hwange are capable of generating
a total of 480MW, but have
operated irregularly as the station
struggles to cope with frequent
equipment breakdowns
and coal shortages.
The first 40MW from ZESA
started flowing into Namibia on
3 January this year, with the additional
40MW being imported
from June and the latest by end
of August.
The remaining 30MW that
will fulfil the agreed quantity for a period of five years will
start flowing in before end of
year, NamPower said.
NamPower Corporate Affairs
and Marketing Manager,
John Kaimu, said the increase in
power supply from Zimbabwe
has come at the right time as
Namibia is experiencing a drop
the generation capacity from
dependable Ruacana Hydro-
Power Station.
Being a seasonal power station,
during September the generation
capacity of the station
goes down as the water level or
flow in the Kunene River also
drops.
During this period, Nam-
Power collects water in its dams
for hours before releasing it to
run the turbines.


title:
Angola to assume
OPEC presidency
in 2009

Abstract:
ANGOLA IS to chair the Organisation
of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) from 1 January
2009, Angolan oil minister,
Desidério Costa has said.

body:
ANGOLA IS to chair the Organisation
of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) from 1 January
2009, Angolan oil minister,
Desidério Costa has said.
"This is an announcement
that will help us plan our country’s
political and economic future
and it will also enable us to
do what we intend; that is establishing
Angola in its right
place," said Costa.
The Angolan oil minister
added that the news arrived at a
special moment for Angola, just
after the holding of a successful
parliamentary election on 5 September,
the first since the end of
the 27-year civil war in 2002.
Angola became a full OPEC
member during the organisation’s
143rd extraordinary meeting
held in December 2006 in
Nigeria.


Abstract:
ZAMBIA ELECTRICITY Supply
Company (ZESCO) has disconnected
the Zambia-Zimbabwe
power interconnector to protect
the local power system from
external disturbances following
the blackouts experienced in
early September.

body:
ZAMBIA ELECTRICITY Supply
Company (ZESCO) has disconnected
the Zambia-Zimbabwe
power interconnector to protect
the local power system from
external disturbances following
the blackouts experienced in
early September.
ZESCO acting Director for
Generation and Transmission,
Christopher Mubemba said that following the decision to discontinue
with the interconnector,
the company would also increase
load shedding in Zambia.
This is the second time
ZESCO is disconnecting from
Zimbabwe following similar
blackouts experienced early
year.
Mubemba said the disconnection
of the interconnector entailed
that Zambia was required
to carry the full power reserves
of about 150MW to avoid a nationwide
blackout and it was
this reason that the company
had to increase load shedding.
He explained that when interconnected
the required reserve
was half, as the remaining
came from the Southern African
Power Pool (SAPP) to cushion
times of an emergency.
SAPP Centre Co-ordination
Manager, Lawrence Musaba confirmed the disconnection
saying the move to temporarily
discontinue the interconnector
between the two countries was
aimed at facilitating investigations
to establish the exact cause
the problem.
SAPP explained that on 6
September, there were disturbances
which led to two turbines
at Kariba North Bank
power station tripping, resulting
in a loss of 360MW and a cut
power supply to Eastern,
Northern and parts of Southern
and Lusaka provinces.
On 7 September, there was
another system disturbance but
there was no loss of transmission
distribution lines or loads.
However, there was a loss of
generators at Kariba North Bank
and Victoria Falls. He said that
preliminary investigations indicate
that the power outage was
caused by system disturbances
external to the Zambian power
system.
Musaba said SAPP and
ZESCO would continue to monitor
the situation with the view
reconnecting with Zimbabwe
once the situation improved and
that a detailed review would be
carried out soon.
The disconnection comes
after the SAPP grid was restored
last month after spending the
last five months operating as
three separate islands owing to
technical faults on the main interconnectors.


title:
Mozambique woos investors for hydro energy production

Abstract:
MOZAMBIQUE HAS invited
foreign investors to build hydropower
projects in 100 locations
with a total estimated hydroelectric
potential of up to
14,000 megawatts (MW), according
to the national director
New and Renewable Energy,
Antonio Saide.

body:
MOZAMBIQUE HAS invited
foreign investors to build hydropower
projects in 100 locations
with a total estimated hydroelectric
potential of up to
14,000 megawatts (MW), according
to the national director
New and Renewable Energy,
Antonio Saide.
The director highlighted
that vast hydro potential has
been identified in the central
provinces of Manica and Tete as well as the northernmost
province of Niassa.
"We have identified between
12,000MW and 14,000MW of hydroelectric
potential in 100 locations
in the provinces of Manica,
Tete and Niassa" We are inviting
foreign investors to come and
explore these areas," he said.
Mozambique produces
2,075MW of electricity, mainly at
its Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric
(HCB) plant in Tete province, which plans to increase output in
the next few years.
HCB, which suffered from
lack of investment, currently
provides 60 percent of its power
South Africa’s Eskom and 35
percent to Zimbabwe’s power
utility ZESA.
Saide said the mini-hydroelectric
projects offered solutions to
the problem of electricity supply,
which has not yet reached the
whole of Mozambique.


title:
Dump fossil fuels for renewables: Africa urged

Abstract:
RURAL AREAS on the continent
will remain without electricity for
long time to come due to political
underpinnings of the oil
multinationals and Bretton
Woods institutions, says an
African Development Bank 2008
report.

body:
RURAL AREAS on the continent
will remain without electricity for
long time to come due to political
underpinnings of the oil
multinationals and Bretton
Woods institutions, says an
African Development Bank 2008
report.
According to AfDB, oil companies
and the so-called Independent
Power Producers are at the
centre of some of the current energy
problems in the region.
The report argues that a year’s
worth of global fossil fuels subsidies
could comfortably pay off
Africa’s entire international debt
while a year’s worth of World
Bank’s spending on fossil fuel
projects, if redirected to smallscale
solar installations in Africa,
would provide 10 million people
with electricity.
AfDB says that less than 70
percent of the money that developed
countries use in subsidising
fossil fuels every year is enough
to electrify non-electrified Africa.
"The lack of access to reliable
and clean energy supplies is
major barrier to improving
human well-being around the
globe - there are an estimated
1.6 billion people living in the
rural areas of developing countries
who lack access to electricity
- but so is dependence on fossil
fuels," says the report.
The 36-page report cautions
that global warming is real and
poverty eradication coupled with
the achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs)
will become hot air unless the
world changes its focus from fossil
fuels (mostly oil) to renewables.
"Relying on fossil fuels to promote
human development will
be ultimately self defeating in
economic terms because the economic
costs of global warming
are set to spiral and will affect the
poorest and most vulnerable
countries worst," the report
warns.
"Reliance by poor countries
on fossil fuels imports or fossil fuel industries leaves them vulnerable
to a range of problems
including economic shocks due
to price volatility, major health
problems from pollution, inefficiency
due to economic distortions
from fossil fuel subsidies,
and corruption and social instability
stemming from competition
for access to natural resources,"
it argues.
In Africa as in the most developing
countries the focus on
renewables has been largely
neglected and is less popularised.
Indeed clean energy alternatives,
such as biogas, solar
power, bagasse, geothermal and wind power are ignored especially,
"if you package a renewables
initiative around an environmental
aim."
According to Stephen
Karekezi, the director of African
Energy Policy Research Network
(AFREPREN), a Nairobibased
energy policy think tank,
you demonstrate how renewable
energy can help economic
development and address
poverty I think it will receive a
much more positive response."
In 2004 during the Bonn International
Conference for Renewable
Energies, it was observed
that, "Renewable energy flows are very large in comparison
with humankind’s use of
energy. Therefore, in principle,
all our energy needs, both now
and into the future, can be met
by energy from renewable
sources."


Abstract:
THE INCREASE in electricity
tariffs and soaring fuel prices
experienced in southern
Africa and beyond has compelled
many Namibians to rethink
their energy sources.

body:
THE INCREASE in electricity
tariffs and soaring fuel prices
experienced in southern
Africa and beyond has compelled
many Namibians to rethink
their energy sources.
"The Ministry of Mines and
Energy has embarked on a
five-year renewable energy
master plan, which started in
2005," Joseph Iitha, the ministry’s
permanent secretary
said recently.
Assisted by the United Nations
Development Programme,
the government is
increasing public awareness
on the use of solar energy and
biogas.
The government is running
a programme to remove the
barriers that still exist in promoting
the use of renewable
energy from the wind, the sun
and waste to produce biogas
for cooking and heating.
Solar cooking stoves are already
produced in northern Namibia through a government
initiative.
Solar water heating (SWH)
via electric geysers constitutes
the highest portion of electricity
generated from renewable
energy in Namibia.
The use of SWH will continue
to increase largely due to
the government directive in
August 2007.
A recent study on energy
efficiency in Namibia revealed
that 22 percent or
100MW of electricity used is
required to heat water geysers.
If this measure is implemented
it is estimated to reduce
the demand by about
52MW.
This means if a third of all
private houses would install
solar water geysers on their
roofs, the 52MW saved would
also reduce electricity imports
and save the country on foreign
currency


title:
Scientists propose solar tower to boost Namibia electricity

Abstract:
A HUGE solar energy tower
has been proposed to boost the
electricity grid in Namibia.

body:
A HUGE solar energy tower
has been proposed to boost the
electricity grid in Namibia.
At one-and-a-half kilometres
high and 280 metres wide -
bigger than two soccer fields
back-to-back -- the tower could
provide electricity for the
whole of the Namibian capital,
Windhoek.
But neither a date nor a site
for the proposed tower has
been confirmed, though it is expected
to be close to Windhoek,
says the ministry of energy in
Namibia.
The operation of a solar
tower involves heating air inside
a vast transparent tent,
several kilometres in diameter,
at the base of the tower.
This hot air rises inside a tall
concrete chimney, driving
wind turbines linked to generators.
The tent can also be used to
grow crops.
The proposed tower is about
three times larger than anything
similar on earth and
though its running costs would
be low, construction would cost
at least US$900 million.
The solar chimney power
plants can also produce power
at night. The water used for
crops is heated during sunny
weather and this heat is released
back into the air during
the night or during cloudy
weather to keep the turbines
going. No extra water is required
-- an important issue for
a desert country such as
Namibia.


title:
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ZIMBABWE AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION-PATRIOTIC

FRONT (ZANU-PF) AND THE TWO MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC)

FORMATIONS, ON RESOLVING THE CHALLENGES FACING ZIMBABWE

Abstract:
We, the Parties to this Agreement;


CONCERNED about the recent challenges that we have faced as a country and the multiple threats to the well-being of our people and, therefore, determined to resolve these permanently.

body:
PREAMBLE

We, the Parties to this Agreement;


CONCERNED about the recent challenges that we have faced as a country and the multiple threats to the well-being of our people and, therefore, determined to resolve these permanently.


CONSIDERING our shared determination to uphold, defend and sustain Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity, as a respected member of the international community, a nation where all citizens respect and, therefore, enjoy equal protection of the law and have equal opportunity to compete and prosper in all spheres of life.


ACKNOWLEDGING the sacrifices made by thousands of Zimbabwe’s gallant sons and daughters in the fight against colonialism and racial discrimination and deter mined to accept, cherish and recognise the significance of the Liberation Struggle as the foundation of our sovereign independence, freedoms and human rights.


DEDICATING ourselves to putting an end to the polarisation, divisions, conflict and intolerance that has characterised Zimbabwean politics and society in recent times.


COMMITTING ourselves to putting our people and our country first by arresting the fall in living standards and reversing the decline of our economy.


EMPHASISING our shared commitment to re-orient our attitudes towards respect for the Constitution and all national laws, the rule of law, observance of Zimbabwe’s national institutions, symbols and national events.


RESPECTING the rights of all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation to benefit from and participate in all national programmes and events freely without let or hindrance.


RECOGNISING, accepting and acknowledging that the values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, non-discrimination and respect of all persons without regard to race, class, gender, ethnicity, language, religion, political opinion, place of origin or birth are the bedrock of our democracy and good governance.


DETERMINED to build a society free of violence, fear, intimidation, hatred, patronage, corruption and founded on justice, fairness, openness, transparency, dignity and equality.


RECOGNISING and accepting that the Land Question has been at the core of the contestation in Zimbabwe and acknowledging the centrality of issues relating to the rule of law , respect for human rights, democracy and governance.


COMMITTED to act in a manner that demonstrates loyalty to Zimbabwe, patriotism and commitment to Zimbabwe’s national purpose, core values, interests and aspirations.


DETERMINED to act in a manner that demonstrates respect for the democratic values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, respect of all persons and human rights.


SUBMITTING ourselves to the mandate of the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, on 29th March 2007 and endorsed in Lusaka on 12th April 2008 and in the AU Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt from 30th June to 1 July 2008.


RECOGNISING the centrality and importance of African institutions in dealing with African problems, we agreed to seek solutions to our differences, challenges and problems through dialogue.


ACKNOWLEDGING that pursuant to the Dar es Salaam SADC resolution, the Parties negotiated and agreed on a draft Constitution, initialled by the Parties on 30 September 2007, and further agreed and co-sponsored the enactment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 18 Act, amendments to the Electoral Act, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act, Public Order and Security Act, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Broadcasting Services Act.


APPRECIATING the historical obligation and need to reach a solution that will allow us to put Zimbabwe first and give the people a genuine chance of rebuilding and reconstructing their livelihoods.


PURSUANT to the common desire of working together, the Parties agreed to and executed a Memorandum of Understanding on 21 July 2008, attached hereto as Annexure "A".



NOW THEREFORE AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

1. Definitions


The "Agreement" shall mean this written Agreement signed by the representatives of ZANU-PF and the MDC, in its two formations ("the Parties") in fulfilment of the material mandate handed down by the SADC Extraordinary Summit on 29th March 2007 and endorsed by SADC in Lusaka, Zambia and adopted by the African Union Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

The "Parties" shall mean ZANU-PF, the two MDC formations led by Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara respectively.

The "Government" or "New Government" means the new Government to be set up in terms of this Agreement.


ARTICLE II


DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT


2. Declaration of Commitment


The Parties hereby declare and agree to work together to create a genuine, viable, permanent, sustainable and nationally acceptable solution to the Zimbabwe situation and in particular to implement the following agreement with the aims of resolving once and for all the current political and economic situations and charting a new political direction for the country.



ARTICLE III


RESTORATION OF ECONOMIC STABILITY AND GROWTH


3. Economic recovery


3.1 The Parties agree:


(a) to give priority to the restoration of economic stability and growth in Zimbabwe. The Government will lead the process of developing and implementing an economic recovery strategy and plan. To that end, the parties are committed to working together on a full and comprehensive economic programme to resuscitate Zimbabwe’s economy, which will urgently address the issues of production, food security, poverty and unemployment and the challenges of high inflation, interest rates and the exchange rate.


(b) to create conditions that would ensure that the 2008/2009 agricultural season is productive.


(c) to establish a National Economic Council, composed of representatives of the Parties and of the following sectors:


(i) Manufacturing; (ii) Agriculture; (iii) Mining; (iv) Tourism; (v) Commerce; (vi) Financial;

(vii) Labour; (viii) Academia; and (ix) Other relevant sectors.


(d) that the terms of reference of the Council shall include giving advice to Government, formulating economic plans and programmes for approval by government and such other functions as are assigned to the Council by the Government.


(e) to endorse the SADC resolution on the economy.



ARTICLE IV


SANCTIONS AND MEASURES


4. Sanctions and Measures


4.1 Recognising and acknowledging that some sections of the international community have since 2000 imposed various sanctions and measures against Zimbabwe, which have included targeted sanctions.


4.2 The Parties note the present economic and political isolation of Zimbabwe by the United

Kingdom, European Union, United States of America and other sections of the International Community over and around issues of disputed elections, governance and differences over the land reform programme.


4.3 Noting and acknowledging the following sanctions and measures imposed on Zimbabwe:-


(a) enactment of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act by the United States of America Congress which outlaws Zimbabwe’s right to access credit from International Financial Institutions in which the United States Government is represented or has a stake;


(b) suspension of Zimbabwe’s voting and related rights, suspension of balance of payment support, declaration of ineligibility to borrow Fund resources and suspension of technical assistance to Zimbabwe by the International Monetary Fund;


(c) suspension of grants and infrastructural development support to Zimbabwe by The World Bank; and


(d) imposition of targeted travel bans against current Government and some business leaders.


4.4 Noting that this international isolation has over the years created a negative international perception of Zimbabw e and thereby resulting in the further isolation of the country by the non-availing of lines of credit to Zimbabw e by some sections of the international community.


4.5 Recognising the consequent contribution of this isolation to the further decline of the

economy.


4.6 Desirous and committed to bringing to an end the fall in the standards of living of our

people, the Parties hereby agree:-


(a) to endorse the SADC resolution on sanctions concerning Zimbabwe;


(b) that all forms of measures and sanctions against Zimbabwe be lifted in order to facilitate a sustainable solution to the challenges that are currently facing Zimbabwe; and


(c) commit themselves to working together in re-engaging the international community with a view to bringing to an end the country’s international isolation.



ARTICLE V


LAND QUESTION


5. Land Question


5.1 Recognising that colonial racist land ownership patterns established during the colonial conquest of Zimbabwe and largely maintained in the post independence period were not only unsustainable, but against the national interest, equity and justice.


5.2 Noting that in addition to the primary objective of the liberation struggle to win one man one vote democracy and justice, the land question, namely the need for the redistribution of land to the majority indigenous people of Zimbabwe was at the core of the liberation struggle.


5.3 Accepting the inevitability and desirability of a comprehensive land reform programme in Zimbabwe that redresses the issues of historical imbalances and injustices in order to address the issues of equity, productivity, and justice.


5.4 While differing on the methodology of acquisition and redistribution the parties acknowledge that compulsory acquisition and redistribution of land has taken place under a land reform programme undertaken since 2000.


5.5 Accepting the irreversibility of the said land acquisitions and redistribution.


5.6 Noting that in the current Constitution of Zimbabwe and further in the Draft Constitution agreed to by the parties the primary obligation of compensating former land owners for land acquired rests on the former colonial power.


5.7 Further recognising the need to ensure that all land is used productively in the interests of all the people of Zimbabwe.


5.8 Recognising the need for w omen’s access and control over land in their own right as equal citizens.


5.9 The Parties hereby agree to:


(a) conduct a comprehensive, transparent and non-partisan land audit, during the tenure of the Seventh Parliament of Zimbabwe, for the purpose of establishing accountability and eliminating multiple farm ownerships.


(b) ensure that all Zimbabweans w ho are eligible to be allocated land and who apply for it shall be considered for allocation of land irrespective of race, gender, religion, ethnicity or political affiliation;


(c) ensure security of tenure to all land holders;


(d) call upon the United Kingdom government to accept the primary responsibility to pay compensation for land acquired from former land owners for resettlement;


(e) work together to secure international support and finance for the land reform programme in terms of compensation for the former land owners and support for new farmers; and


(f) work together for the restoration of full productivity on all agricultural land.



ARTICLE VI


CONSTITUTION


6. Constitution


Acknowledging that it is the fundamental right and duty of the Zimbabwean people to make a

constitution by themselves and for themselves;


Aware that the process of making this constitution must be owned and driven by the people and

must be inclusive and democratic;


Recognising that the current Constitution of Zimbabwe made at the Lancaster House Conference, London (1979) w as primarily to transfer power from the colonial authority to the

people of Zimbabwe;


Acknowledging the draft Constitution that the Parties signed and agreed to in Kariba on the

30th of September 2007, annexed hereto as Annexure "B";


Determined to create conditions for our people to write a constitution for themselves; and


Mindful of the need to ensure that the new Constitution deepens our democratic values and

principles and the protection of the equality of all citizens, particularly the enhancement of full

citizenship and equality of women.


6.1 The Parties hereby agree:


 that they shall set up a Select Committee of Parliament composed of representatives of the Parties whose terms of reference shall be as follows:


 to set up such subcommittees chaired by a member of Parliament and composed of members of Parliament and representatives of Civil Society as may be necessary to assist the Select Committee in performing its mandate herein;

 to hold such public hearings and such consultations as it may deem necessary in the process of public consultation over the making of a new constitution for Zimbabwe;

 to convene an All Stakeholders Conference to consult stakeholders on their representation in the sub-committees referred to above and such related matters as may assist the committee in its work;

 to table its draft Constitution to a 2nd All Stakeholders Conference; and

 to report to Parliament on its recommendations over the content of a New Constitution for Zimbabwe.



that the draft Constitution recommended by the Select Committee shall be submitted to a referendum;

 that, in implementing the above, the following time frames shall apply:

 the Select Committee shall be set up within two months of inception of a new government;

 the convening of the first All Stakeholders Conference shall be within 3 months of the date of the appointment of the Select Committee;

 the public consultation process shall be completed no later than 4 months of the date of the first All Stakeholders Conference;

 the draft Constitution shall be tabled within 3 months of completion of the public consultation process to a second All Stakeholders Conference;

 the draft Constitution and the accompanying Report shall be tabled before Parliament within 1 month of the second All Stakeholders Conference;

 the draft Constitution and the accompanying Report shall be debated in Parliament and the debate concluded within one month;

 the draft Constitution emerging from Parliament shall be gazetted before the holding of a referendum;

 a referendum on the new draft Constitution shall be held within 3 months of the conclusion of the debate;

 in the event of the draft Constitution being approved in the referendum it shall be gazetted within 1 month of the date of the referendum; and

 the draft Constitution shall be introduced in Parliament no later than 1 month after the expiration of the period of 30 days from the date of its gazetting.





ARTICLE VII


PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY


7. Equality, National Healing, Cohesion and Unity


7.1 The Parties hereby agree that the new Government:


 will ensure equal treatment of all regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, place of origin and will work towards equal access to development for all;

 will ensure equal and fair development of all regions of the country and in particular to correct historical imbalances in the development of regions;

 shall give consideration to the setting up of a mechanism to properly advise on what measures might be necessary and practicable to achieve national healing, cohesion and unity in respect of victims of pre and post independence political conflicts; and

 will strive to create an environment of tolerance and respect among Zimbabweans and that all citizens are treated with dignity and decency irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity, place of origin or political affiliation.

 will formulate policies and put measures in place to attract the return and repatriation of all Zimbabweans in the Diaspora and in particular w ill work towards the return of all skilled personnel.




ARTICLE VIII


RESPECT FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND EVENTS


8. Respect for National Institutions and Events


8.1 In the interests of forging a common vision for our country, the Parties hereby agree:-


(a) on the necessity of all Zimbabweans regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion to respect and observe Zimbabwe’s national institutions, symbols, national programmes and events; and

(b) that all Zimbabweans regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion have the right to benefit from and participate in all national programmes and events without let or hindrance.


ARTICLE IX


EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE


9. External Interference


9.1 The Parties reaffirm the principle of the United Nations Charter on non-interference in the internal affairs of member countries.


9.2 The Parties hereby agree:-


(a) that the responsibility of effecting change of government in Zimbabwe vests exclusively on and is the sole prerogative of the people of Zimbabwe through peaceful, democratic and constitutional means;


(b) to reject any unlawful, violent, undemocratic and unconstitutional means of changing governments; and


(c) that no outsiders have a right to call or campaign for regime change in Zimbabwe.



ARTICLE X


FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY


10. Free political activity


Recognising that the right to canvass and freely mobilise for political support is the cornerstone

of any multi-party democratic system, the Parties have agreed that there should be free political

activity throughout Zimbabwe within the ambit of the law in which all political parties are able to

propagate their views and canvass for support, free of harassment and intimidation.



ARTICLE XI


RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS


11. Rule of law, respect for the Constitution and other laws


11.1 The Parties hereby agree that it is the duty of all political parties and individuals to:


(a) respect and uphold the Constitution and other laws of the land;


(b) adhere to the principles of the Rule of Law.



ARTICLE XII


FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION


12. Freedoms of Assembly and Association


12.1 Recognising the importance of the freedoms of assembly and association in a multiparty democracy and noting that public meetings have to be conducted in a free, peaceful and democratic manner in accordance with the law , the Parties have agreed:-


(a) to work together in a manner which guarantees the full implementation and realisation of the right to freedom of association and assembly; and


(b) that the Government shall undertake training programmes, workshops and meetings for the police and other enforcement agencies directed at the appreciation of the right of freedom of assembly and association and the proper interpretation, understanding and application of the provisions of security legislation.



ARTICLE XIII


STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS


13. State organs and institutions


13.1 State organs and institutions do not belong to any political party and should be impartial

in the discharge of their duties.


13.2 For the purposes of ensuring that all state organs and institutions perform their duties ethically and professionally in conformity with the principles and requirements of a multiparty

democratic system in which all parties are treated equally, the Parties have agreed that the following steps be taken:-


(a) that there be inclusion in the training curriculum of members of the uniformed forces of the subjects on human rights, international humanitarian law and statute law so that there is greater understanding and full appreciation of their roles and duties in a multi-party democratic system;


(b) ensuring that all state organs and institutions strictly observe the principles of the Rule of Law and remain non-partisan and impartial;


(c) laws and regulations governing state organs and institutions are strictly adhered to and those violating them be penalised without fear or favour; and


(d) recruitment policies and practices be conducted in a manner that ensures that no political or other form of favouritism is practised.



ARTICLE XIV


TRADITIONAL LEADERS


14. Traditional Leaders


14.1 Recognising and acknowledging that traditional leaders are community leaders with equal responsibilities and obligations to all members of their communities regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, religion and political affiliation, the Parties hereby agree to:-


(a) commit themselves to ensuring the political neutrality of traditional leaders; and


(b) call upon traditional leaders not to engage in partisan political activities at national level as well as in their communities.



ARTICLE XV


NATIONAL YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME


15. National Youth Training Programme


Recognising the desirability of a national youth training programme which inculcates the values of patriotism, discipline, tolerance, non-violence, openness, democracy, equality, justice and respect.


Determined to ensure that the National Youth Training Programme raises awareness of the

HIV and AIDS pandemic, engenders a spirit of community service, skills development and a

commitment to the development of Zimbabwe


15.1 The Parties hereby agree that:-


(a) all youths regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion and political affiliation are eligible to participate in national youth training programmes;


(b) the National Youth Training Programme must be run in a non-partisan manner and shall not include partisan political material advancing the cause of any political party; and


(c) while recognising that youths undergoing training at national youth training centres have a right to hold political opinions, they shall not, during the period of their training, collectively and as part of a scheme of the training centre be used or deployed for partisan political work.



ARTICLE XVI


HUMANITARIAN AND FOOD ASSISTANCE


16. Humanitarian and food assistance


16.1 In times of need, every Zimbabwean regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion is entitled to request and receive humanitarian and food assistance from the State.


16.2 It is the primary responsibility of the State to ensure that every Zimbabwean who needs

humanitarian and food assistance receives it.


16.3 Non-Governmental Organisations involved in giving humanitarian and food assistance shall do so without discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion and in doing so, shall not promote or advance the interests of any political party or cause.


16.4 In this regard the Parties hereby agree:


(a) that in the fulfilment of its obligations above, the Government and all State Institutions and quasi State Institutions shall render humanitarian and food assistance without discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation or religion;


(b) that humanitarian interventions rendered by Non-Governmental Organisations, shall be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion.


(c) that all displaced persons shall be entitled to humanitarian and food assistance to enable them to return and settle in their original homes and that social welfare organisations shall be allowed to render such assistance as might be required.


(d) that all NGO`s rendering humanitarian and food assistance must operate within the confines of the laws of Zimbabwe.



ARTICLE XVII


LEGISLATIVE AGENDA PRIORITIES


17. Legislative agenda


17.1 The Parties hereby agree that:


(a) the legislative agenda will be prioritised in order to reflect the letter and spirit of this agreement;

(b) the Government will discuss and agree on further legislative measures which may become necessary to implement the Government’s agreed policies and in particular, with a view to entrenching democratic values and practices.



ARTICLE XVIII


SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE


18. Security of persons and prevention of violence


18.1 Noting the easy resort to violence by political parties, State actors, Non-State actors and

others in order to resolve political differences and achieve political ends.


18.2 Gravely concerned by the displacement of scores of people after the election of March

29, 2008 as a result of politically motivated violence.


18.3 Recognising that violence dehumanises and engenders feelings of hatred and polarisation within the country.


18.4 Further recognising that violence undermines our collective independence as a people and our capacity to exercise our free will in making political choices.


18.5 The Parties hereby agree:


(a) to promote the values and practices of tolerance, respect, non-violence and dialogue as means of resolving political differences;


(b) to renounce and desist from the promotion and use of violence, under whatever name called, as a means of attaining political ends;


(c) that the Government shall apply the laws of the country fully and impartially in bringing all perpetrators of politically motivated violence to book;


(d) that all political parties, other organisations and their leaders shall commit themselves to do everything to stop and prevent all forms of political violence, including by non-State actors and shall consistently appeal to their members to desist from violence;


(e) to take all measures necessary to ensure that the structures and institutions they control are not engaged in the perpetration of violence.


(f) that all civil society organisations of whatever description whether affiliated to a political party or not shall not promote or advocate for or use violence or any other form of intimidation or coercion to canvass or mobilise for or oppose any political party or to achieve any political end;


(g) to work together to ensure the security of all persons and property;


(h) to work together to ensure the safety of any displaced persons, their safe return home and their enjoyment of the full protection of the law.


(i) to refrain from using abusive language that may incite hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred or unfairly undermine each other.


(j) that while having due regard to the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the principles of the rule of law , the prosecuting authorities will expedite the determination as to whether or not there is sufficient evidence to warrant the prosecution or keeping on remand of all persons accused of politically related offences arising out of or connected with the March and June 2008 elections.


ARTICLE XIX


FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND COMMUNICATION


19. Freedom of Expression and Communication


Recognising the importance of the right to freedom of expression and the role of the media in a multi-party democracy.


Noting that while the provisions of the Broadcasting Services Act permit the issuance of licences, no licences other than to the public broadcaster have been issued.


Aware of the emergence of foreign-based radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe, some of which are funded by foreign governments.


Concerned that the failure to issue licences under the Broadcasting Services Act to alternative broadcasters might have given rise to external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe.


Further concerned that foreign government funded external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe are not in Zimbabwe’s national interest.


Desirous of ensuring the opening up of the airwaves and ensuring the operation of as many media houses as possible.


19.1 The Parties hereby agree:-


(a) that the government shall ensure the immediate processing by the appropriate authorities of all applications for re-registration and registration in terms of both the Broadcasting Services Act as well as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act;


(b) all Zimbabwean nationals including those currently working for or running external radio stations be encouraged to make applications for broadcasting licences, in Zimbabwe, in terms of the law;


(c) that in recognition of the open media environment anticipated by this Agreement, the Parties hereby:-


call upon the governments that are hosting and/or funding external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabw e to cease such hosting and funding;

and

 encourage the Zimbabweans running or working for external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe to return to Zimbabwe; and



(d) that steps be taken to ensure that the public media provides balanced and fair coverage to all political parties for their legitimate political activities.


(e) that the public and private media shall refrain from using abusive language that may incite hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred or that unfairly undermines political parties and other organisations. To this end, the inclusive government shall ensure that appropriate measures are taken to achieve this objective.


ARTICLE XX


FRAMEWORK FOR A NEW GOVERNMENT


20. Framework for a new Government


Acknowledging that we have an obligation to establish a framework of working together in an

inclusive government;


Accepting that the formation of such a government will have to be approached with great

sensitivity, flexibility and willingness to compromise;


Recognising that the formation of such a Government would demonstrate the respect of the Parties for the deeply felt and immediate hopes and aspirations of the millions of our people.


Determined to carry out sustained work to create the conditions for returning our country to

stability and prosperity;


Acknowledging the need for gender parity, particularly the need to appoint women to strategic

Cabinet posts;


20.1 The Parties hereby agree that:


20.1.1 Executive Powers and Authority


The Executive Authority of the Inclusive Government shall vest in, and be shared among the


President, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, as provided for in this Constitution and legislation.


The President of the Republic shall exercise executive authority subject to the Constitution and

the law.


The Prime Minister of the Republic shall exercise executive authority subject to the Constitution

and the law.


The Cabinet of the Republic shall exercise executive authority subject to the Constitution and

the law.


In the exercise of executive authority, the President, Vice Presidents, the Prime Minister, the

Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and Deputy Ministers must have regard to the principles and

spirit underlying the formation of the Inclusive Government and accordingly act in a manner that

seeks to promote cohesion both inside and outside government.

20.1.2 The Cabinet


(a) shall have the responsibility to evaluate and adopt all government policies and the consequential programmes;


(b) shall, subject to approval by Parliament, allocate the financial resources for the implementation of such policies and programmes;


(c) shall have the responsibility to prepare and present to Parliament, all such legislation and other instruments as may be necessary to implement the policies and programmes of the National Executive;


(d) shall, except w here the Constitution requires ratification by Parliament, or action by the

President, approve all international agreements;


(e) shall ensure that the state organs, including the Ministries and Departments, have sufficient financial and other resources and appropriate operational capacity to carry out their functions effectively; and


(f) shall take decisions by consensus, and take collective responsibility for all Cabinet decisions, including those originally initiated individually by any member of Cabinet.


(g) The President and the Prime Minister w ill agree on the allocation of Ministries between

them for the purpose of day-to-day supervision.


20.1.3 The President


(a) chairs Cabinet;


(b) exercises executive authority;


(c) shall exercise his/her powers subject to the provisions of the Constitution;


(d) can, subject to the Constitution, declare war and make peace;


(e) can, subject to the Constitution, proclaim and terminate martial law ;


(f) confers honours and precedence, on the advice of Cabinet;


(g) grants pardons, respites, substitutes less severe punishment and suspends or remits sentences, on the advice of Cabinet;


(h) chairs the National Security Council;


(i) formally appoints the Vice Presidents;


(j) shall, pursuant to this Agreement, appoint the Prime Minister pending the enactment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment no.19 as agreed by the Parties;


(k) formally appoints Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and Deputy Ministers in accordance with this agreement;


(l) after consultation with the Vice Presidents, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers, allocates Ministerial portfolios in accordance with this Agreement;


(m) accredits, receives and recognizes diplomatic agents and consular officers;


(n) appoints independent Constitutional Commissions in terms of the Constitution;


(o) appoints service/executive Commissions in terms of the Constitution and in consultation with the Prime Minister;


(p) in consultation with the Prime Minister, makes key appointments the President is required to make under and in terms of the Constitution or any Act of Parliament;


(q) may, acting in consultation with the Prime Minister, dissolve Parliament;


(r) must be kept fully informed by the Prime Minister on the general conduct of the government business and;


(s) shall be furnished with such information as he/she may request in respect of any particular matter relating to the government, and may advise the Prime Minister and Cabinet in this regard.


20.1.4 The Prime Minister


(a) chairs the Council of Ministers and is the Deputy Chairperson of Cabinet;


(b) exercises executive authority;


(c) shall oversee the formulation of government policies by the Cabinet;


(d) shall ensure that the policies so formulated are implemented by the entirety of government;


(e) shall ensure that the Ministers develop appropriate implementation plans to give effect to the policies decided by Cabinet: in this regard, the Ministers w ill report to the Prime Minister on all issues relating to the implementation of such policies and plans;


(f) shall ensure that the legislation necessary to enable the government to carry out its functions is in place: in this regard, he/she shall have the responsibility to discharge the functions of the Leader of Government Business in Parliament;


(g) shall be a member of the National Security Council;


(h) may be assigned such additional functions as are necessary further to enhance the work of the Inclusive Government;


(i) shall, to ensure the effective execution of these tasks, be assisted by Deputy Prime Ministers; and


(j) shall report regularly to the President and Parliament.


20.1.5 Council of Ministers


To ensure that the Prime Minister properly discharges his responsibility to oversee the

implementation of the work of government, there shall be a Council of Ministers consisting of all

the Cabinet Ministers, chaired by the Prime Minister, whose functions shall be:


(a) to assess the implementation of Cabinet decisions;


(b) to assist the Prime Minister to attend to matters of coordination in the government;


(c) to enable the Prime Minister to receive briefings from the Cabinet Committees;


(d) to make progress reports to Cabinet on matters of implementation of Cabinet decisions;


(e) to receive and consider reports from the Committee responsible for the periodic review

mechanism; and


(f) to make progress reports to Cabinet on matters related to the periodic review mechanism.


20.1.6 Composition of the Executive


(1) There shall be a President, which Office shall continue to be occupied by President Robert Gabriel Mugabe.


(2) There shall be two (2) Vice Presidents, who will be nominated by the President and/or

Zanu-PF.


(3) There shall be a Prime Minister, which Office shall be occupied by Mr Morgan Tsvangirai.


(4) There shall be two (2) Deputy Prime Ministers, one (1) from MDC-T and one (1) from the MDC-M.


(5) There shall be thirty-one (31) Ministers, with fifteen (15) nominated by ZANU PF, thirteen (13) by MDC-T and three (3) by MDC-M. Of the 31 Ministers, three (3) one each per Party, may be appointed from outside the members of Parliament. The three (3) Ministers so appointed shall become members of the House of Assembly and shall have the right to sit, speak and debate in Parliament, but shall not be entitled to vote.


(6) There shall be fifteen (15) Deputy Ministers, with (eight) 8 nominated by ZANU PF, six (6) by MDC-T and one (1) by MDC-M.


(7) Ministers and Deputy Ministers may be relieved of their duties only after consultation among the leaders of all the political parties participating in the Inclusive Government.


20.1.7 Senate


(a) The President shall, in his discretion, appoint five (5) persons to the existing positions of

Presidential senatorial appointments.


(b) There shall be created an additional nine (9) appointed senatorial posts, which shall be filled by persons appointed by the President, of whom, 3 w ill be nominated by ZANU-PF, 3 by MDC-T and 3 by MDC-M.


20.1.8 Filling of vacancies


(a) In the event of any vacancy arising in respect of posts referred to in clauses 20.1.6 and 20.1.7(b) above, such vacancy shall be filled by a nominee of the Party which held that position prior to the vacancy arising.



ARTICLE XXI


ELECTORAL VACANCIES


21. Electoral Vacancies


Aware of the divisive and often times confrontational nature of elections and by elections;


Noting the need to allow this agreement to take root amongst the parties and people of Zimbabwe; and


Cognisant of the need to give our people some breathing space and a healing period;


21.1 The Parties hereby agree that for a period of 12 months from the date of signing of this

agreement, should any electoral vacancy arise in respect of a local authority or parliamentary seat, for whatever reason, only the party holding that seat prior to the vacancy occurring shall be entitled to nominate and field a candidate to fill the seat subject to that party complying with the rules governing its internal democracy.



ARTICLE XXII


IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS


22. Implementation mechanisms


22.1 To ensure full and proper implementation of the letter and spirit of this Agreement, the Parties hereby constitute a Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee ("JOMIC") to be composed of four senior members from ZANU-PF and four senior members from each of the two MDC Formations. Gender consideration must be taken into account in relation to the composition of JOMIC.


22.2 The committee shall be co-chaired by persons from the Parties.


22.3 The committee shall have the following functions:-


(a) to ensure the implementation in letter and spirit of this Agreement;


(b) to assess the implementation of this Agreement from time to time and consider steps which might need to be taken to ensure the speedy and full implementation of this Agreement in its entirety;


(c) to receive reports and complaints in respect of any issue related to the implementation, enforcement and execution of this Agreement;


(d) to serve as catalyst in creating and promoting an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding between the parties; and


(e) to promote continuing dialogue between the Parties.


22.4 JOMIC shall be the principal body dealing with the issues of compliance and monitoring

of this Agreement and to that end, the Parties hereby undertake to channel all complaints, grievances, concerns and issues relating to compliance with this Agreement through JOMIC and to refrain from any conduct which might undermine the spirit of cooperation necessary for the fulfilment of this Agreement.


22.5 The new Government shall ensure that steps are taken to make the security forces

conversant with the Constitution of Zimbabwe and other laws of Zimbabwe including laws relating to public order and security.


22.6 The implementation of this agreement shall be guaranteed and underwritten by the Facilitator, SADC and the AU.


22.7 The Parties and the new Government shall seek the support and assistance of SADC and the AU in mobilizing the international community to support the new Government’s economic recovery plans and programmes together with the lifting of sanctions taken against Zimbabwe and some of its leaders.


22.8 The Parties agree that they shall cause Parliament to amend any legislation to the extent

necessary to bring this agreement into full force.



ARTICLE XXIII


PERIODIC REVIEW MECHANISM


23. Periodic review mechanism


23.1 Having regard to the Objectives and Priorities of the New Government as set out in this

Agreement, the Parties hereby agree that:


(a) they shall constitute a committee composed of 2 representatives each to review on an annual basis progress on the implementation and achievement of the priorities and objectives set out in this Agreement, namely: Economic (restoration of economic stability and grow th, sanctions, land question) Political (new constitution, promotion of equality, national healing and cohesion and unity, external interference, free political activity, rule of law , state organs and institutions, legislative agenda and priorities) Security (security of persons and prevention of violence) and Communication (media and external radio stations); and


(b) the committee shall make recommendations to the Parties and the new government on any matters relating to this Agreement, more particularly on measures and programmes that may be necessary to take and make to realise full implementation of this Agreement.


(c) this Agreement and the relationship agreed to hereunder will be reviewed at the conclusion of the constitution-making process.


23.2 The Parties w ill continually review the effectiveness and any other matter relating to the

functioning of the Inclusive Government established by the Constitution in consultation with the Guarantors.



ARTICLE XXIV


INTERIM CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS


24. Interim Constitutional amendments


The Parties hereby agree:


24.1 that the constitutional amendments which are necessary for the implementation of this

agreement shall be passed by parliament and assented to by the President as Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Act No 19. The Parties undertake to unconditionally support the enactment of the said Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No 19;


24.2 to include in Constitutional Amendment No19 the provisions contained in Chapters 4 and

13, and section 121 of the draft Constitution that the Parties executed at Kariba on 30 September 2007 (Kariba draft).



ARTICLE XXV


COMMENCEMENT


25. Commencement


This Agreement shall enter into force upon its signature by the Parties.


In WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have signed this Agreement in the English language, in six

identical copies, all texts being equally authentic:


DONE AT HARARE, ON THIS............. DAY OF ................................. 2008

________________________


ROBERT G MUGABE

PRESIDENT, ZANU-PF

________________________


MORGAN R TSVANGIRAI


PRESIDENT, MDC

________________________


ARTHUR G O MUTAMBARA


PRESIDENT, MDC


In WITNESS THEREOF the Facilitator:

________________________


THABO MBEKI


SADC FACILITATOR


End


-----------------------------------------



Source: Government of South Africa Website


title:
Julius Nyerere: He
"carried the torch that
liberated Africa"

Abstract:
ON 22 October 1959, almost 50 years ago, when most of Africa
was still under colonial rule, a visionary young African leader
made a commitment on behalf of his people:

body:
ON 22 October 1959, almost 50 years ago, when most of Africa
was still under colonial rule, a visionary young African leader
made a commitment on behalf of his people:
"We, the people of Tanganyika, would like to light a candle
and put it on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro which would shine beyond our
borders giving hope where there was despair, love where there was hate,
and dignity where there was before only humiliation."
This was the commitment by Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere
when he addressed the Tanganyika Legislative Assembly, before independence,
in a speech that came to be known as "A Candle on Kilimanjaro".
When Nyerere made that speech, almost
all of Africa was still under colonial
rule, except for nine countries
(Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea,
Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Sudan and
Tunisia).
Today there are 54 independent
countries in Africa.
Political pressure for independence
had begun and the "wind of change"
was gathering strength, but most of the
southern African political parties and
liberation movements that later fought
and won majority rule were still banned or had not yet been constituted.
True to his principles and his vision, it was said when he died 40 years later on
14 October 1999, that he "carried the torch that liberated Africa". That day is commemorated
in Tanzania as Mwalimu Nyerere Day, which marks the climax of the
Uhuru Torch Race.
Those who spoke at his funeral echoed the themes of Mwalimu's commitment
and legacy of integrity, unity, dignity and equality.
"He is our father, and we are his children," said Joaquim Chissano, then President
of Mozambique and Chairperson of SADC, thanking the Tanzanian people led
by Mwalimu for what they did to liberate southern Africa.

THE UHURU Torch was first lit
on top of Mt Kilimanjaro
(5,890m) on 9 December 1961 by
Alex Nyirenda when he planted
the flag on Tanganyika's independence
day, symbolically to
shine over the country and
across borders. The Uhuru
Torch is one of the national symbols
of Tanzania. It is a kerosene
torch that symbolizes freedom, hope and development. At Butiama, Nyerere's birthplace
and his final resting place, a rock kopje next to his house
holds a place of honour for the torch when it arrives.
The Uhuru Torch Race starts from different places every
year. The 2008 Uhuru Torch was lit in Msonga Village, Coast
Region on 29 March and will be extinguished in Tanga Region
on 14 October. Significant funds are raised from private
sector for community development projects through the
Uhuru Torch Race, which is a development catalyst and a
symbol of community self-reliance.

"All Tanzanians accepted sacrifices for this. ... Mwalimu was not only able to
think and launch slogans on freedom and unity but he could install them into the
hearts of citizens."
He said the unity of the people of the region was cemented when Mwalimu said,
"Uhuru na Umoja: Freedom and Unity, for Tanzania and all of Africa."
We do not have real liberation yet, he said, "we still have to go ahead. Mwalimu
taught us how to move together... by beginning SADC... to meet the challenges. ...
"Today we are building a strong region, but we still have weak economies. Tanzania
could have had a strong economy today if it did not accept sacrifices in building
the future of the region."
The presidency of the European Union at that time was held by Finland, and its
President, Martti Ahtisaari, a friend and former ambassador to Tanzania and later
UN Commissioner for Namibia, came personally to bid farewell.
Mwalimu dedicated his life to the ideals of human dignity and common humanity,
Ahtisaari said. He was a "tireless mediator and peace-builder... who promoted peace
and stability in Africa and was an advocate of good governance worldwide."
Ahtisaari spoke for everyone when he said at the end of his statement: "Asante
sana, Mwalimu. Thank-you, Mwalimu."


body:
Holidays
Public Holidays in SADC

October - December 2008
1 October Public Holiday Botswana
1 October Eid ul Fitr* Mauritius, Tanzania
4 October Independence Day Lesotho
4 October Reconciliation Day/Peace Day Mozambique
13 October Mothers Day Malawi
14 October Mwalimu Nyerere Day and climax Tanzania
of the Uhuru Torch Race
21 October Divali Mauritius
24 October Independence Day Zambia
30 October Public Holiday
(Presidential Election) Zambia
1 November All Saints Day Madagascar
2 November All Saints Day Angola
2 November Arrival of Indentured Labour Mauritius
11 November Independence Day Angola
9 December Independence Day Tanzania
10 December International Human Rights Namibia
16 December Day of Reconciliation South Africa
22 December National Unity Day Zimbabwe
25 December Christmas Day All SADC
26 December Boxing Day Botswana, Lesotho,
Swaziland, Malawi,
Zimbabwe
26 December Family Day Namibia
26 December Day of Goodwill South Africa
* Depends on visibility of the moon


body:
EVENTS
EVENTS DIARY 2008
October


6-8, USA
U.S-Africa infrastructure conference

This will be the third annual US-Africa Infrastructure
Conference. This year’s conference will focus on
Information Communication Technologies (ICTs),
Transportation, Energy, and Security, providing a forum
to explore new business opportunities by identifying
specific growth areas and projects, and to obtain
information on infrastructure development throughout
Africa.

20, Uganda
Tripartite Summit of the SADC-COMESA-EAC

The meeting will be used as an important platform for
the harmonisation of the regional integration
programmes and also to constitute an institutional
framework for broader continental integration. The
meeting is expected to address the issue of
overlapping membership in the region.

30, Zambia
Presidential election

A presidential election will be held in Zambia following
the death of President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.
According to Zambia’s constitution an election must be
held within 90 days of the post of president falling
vacant. Four candidates have presented themselves for
nomination; the acting President Rupiah Banda, Michael
Sata, Hakainde Hichilema and Godfrey Miyanda.

November
12-13, Tanzania
Regional Electricity Regulators Association of Southern
Africa Annual Conference

The fifth annual conference of RERA will bring together
regulators, industry leaders, policy makers, utility
customers, investors and other stakeholders in the SADC
region and elsewhere to exchange information on
pertinent developments affecting electricity supply and
demand. The theme will be "Regulatory Challenges in
Harnessing Africa’s Energy Potentials For Sustainable
Power Supply".

25 -10 Dec SADC
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

The campaign offers an opportunity for advocating
women’s rights and the quest to end gender inequality
and gender violence. The event will be celebrated this
year with the theme "Human Rights for Women -
Human Rights for all: Universal Declaration for Human
Rights 60 years after."

December
1, Global
World Aids Day

On 1 December every year, the SADC region
commemorates World AIDS Day with the rest of the
world. The theme this year is "Stop AIDS. Keep the
Promise."



fullvolume:
SADC Today Volume 11 No.3, December 2008

title:
Giant step toward
A single SADC-COMESA-EAC market

Abstract:
THREE REGIONAL economic blocs have
made a giant step towards the long-conceived
goal of an African Economic Community,
approving the expeditious establishment of an
enlarged Free Trade Area (FTA) encompassing
26 Member States in three sub-regions.

body:
THREE REGIONAL economic blocs have
made a giant step towards the long-conceived
goal of an African Economic Community,
approving the expeditious establishment of an
enlarged Free Trade Area (FTA) encompassing
26 Member States in three sub-regions.

Meeting at a Tripartite Summit on 22
October in Kampala, Uganda, leaders of
Member States of SADC, the Common Market
for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
and the East African Community (EAC) agreed
on what many have described as an important
milestone towards continental integration as
envisaged by the African Union (AU).
According to the final communiqué, the
historic Tripartite Summit "agreed on a programme
of harmonization of trading arrangements amongst the three RECs
[Regional Economic Communities], free
movement of business persons, joint implementation
of inter-regional infrastructure
programmes as well as institutional arrangements
on the basis of which the three RECs
would foster cooperation."
The Summit resolved to immediately start
working towards merging the three trading
blocs into a single REC with the objective of
fast-tracking the attainment of the African
Economic Community. In that regard, the
Summit directed the Tripartite Task Force
composed of the Secretariats of the three
RECs to "develop a roadmap for the implementation
of this merger for consideration at
its next meeting."
Reaffirming southern
Africa’s commitment to the
tripartite cooperation process,
SADC Chairperson and South
African President, Kgalema
Motlanthe, said the region
"believes the time has come
for COMESA, EAC and
SADC to bring together our
respective regional integration
programmes in order to
further enlarge our markets,
unlock our productive potential,
increase the levels of
intra-Africa trade, and
enhance our developmental
prospects."
The creation of the grand
FTA will open borders to literally
half of the continent,
spanning the entire southern
and eastern regions of Africa,
from Cape to Cairo. It will be,
by any standard, a formidable
economic bloc with a combined
Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) of US$625 billion.
With a combined population
of 527 million, the grand
FTA places Member States in a
stronger position to respond
effectively to intensifying
global economic competition
and will make the economic
bloc more attractive to foreign
direct investment.
"The process we embark
upon today marks a historic
step towards fulfilling our
obligations under the AU and
the Abuja Treaty framework of
continental integration, which
recognises that RECs are the
building blocks for the African
Economic Community," said
Motlanthe, who addressed the
Summit in his capacity as
Chairperson of SADC.
The Summit was considered
historic given that
for the first time since
the birth of the AU,
three of the eight officially
recognised
key building blocks of the African Economic
Community have met on how
to integrate their separate programmes
into a coherent overall
programme within the
framework of the Abuja
Treaty, which establishes
the continental economic community.
On modalities, the
Tripartite Summit directed the
three RECs to undertake a
study incorporating, among
other issues, the development
of a roadmap within a period
of six months for the establishment
of the FTA, taking into
account the principle of variable
geometry; the legal and
institutional framework to
underpin the FTA; and measures
to facilitate the movement
of business persons
across the RECs.
The Summit further agreed
on a Tripartite Council of
Ministers to be convened
within 12 months to determine
the timeframe for the establishment
of the single FTA,
informed by the findings of
the study.
On multilateral issues, the
Tripartite Summit directed the
chairpersons of the Council of
Ministers of the three RECs to
"ensure that the Secretariats
participate, coordinate and
harmonize positions on
the Economic Partnership
Agreement (EPA) negotiations."
The same approach would
apply to other multilateral
negotiations including the
World Trade Organization’s
Doha Development Round
Negotiations.
In the area of infrastructure
development, the Summit
launched the Joint Competition
Authority (JCA) on Air
Transport Liberalization which
will "oversee the full
implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision on Air
Transport in the three RECs
commencing January 2009."
According to the communiqué,
the JCA comprises
seven members, two each
from EAC, COMESA and
SADC plus a chairperson on a
rotational basis.
The leaders directed the
three RECs to put in place,
within a period of one year,
joint programmes for the
implementation of:

a single seamless upper airspace;
an accelerated, seamless
inter-regional ICT Broadband
Infrastructure Network; and
a harmonized policy and
regulatory framework that
will govern ICT and infrastructural
development in the
three RECs.


Within the same timeframe,
the RECs are expected to
"effectively coordinate and
harmonize" the Regional
Transport Master Plans and
the Regional Energy Priority
Investment Plans, as well as
the Energy Master Plans of the
three RECs.
The three secretariats were
directed to work out a joint
financing and implementation
mechanism for infrastructure
development, within
a year.
Regarding the legal
and institutional framework,
a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) will be drafted
for approval by the Council
of Ministers of each of the
three RECs, within a sixmonth
period. The MoU,
which will broadly cover
inter-regional cooperation and
integration, will define the
powers of each decision making
level.
The Summit agreed on a
Tripartite Summit of Heads
of State and Government which shall sit once every
two years.
The new dispensation in
regional integration will permanently
resolve the longstanding
overlapping membership
conundrum, which
had presented headaches as
the three RECs moved
towards deeper economic
integration.
Technically, a country cannot
belong to more than one
Customs Union. In a Customs
Union, members agree among
other issues, to charge a common
external tariff to third
countries.
Yet COMESA, EAC and
SADC have all attained FTA
status, and are at various
stages of establishing separate
Customs Unions.
The EAC is the most
advanced of the three RECs,
having already launched its
Customs Union while COMESA
plans to have its own by
December 2008.
SADC launched its FTA in
August 2008 and plans to create
a Customs Union by 2010.
If successfully implemented,
the Tripartite Summit decisions
will result in the three
RECs coalescing into a single
FTA with the ultimate objective
of establishing a single
Customs Union, a development
that would partially fulfil
the target of the treaty
establishing the African
Economic Community.
The treaty establishing
the African Economic Community,
popularly known as
the Abuja Treaty, was signed
in 1991 by leaders of the
Organisation of African Unity,
the precursor to the AU.
The treaty envisages a continental
economic zone by
2028, gradually built upon
merging of the many RECs
across the African continent.


title:
Review of Progress on SADC energy recovery strategy

Abstract:
THE SADC energy roadmap
adopted early 2008 by energy
ministers has been the latest
blueprint for an accelerated
recovery from the current crippling
power shortages and is
centred on revival of the
regional energy planning network.

body:
THE SADC energy roadmap
adopted early 2008 by energy
ministers has been the latest
blueprint for an accelerated
recovery from the current crippling
power shortages and is
centred on revival of the
regional energy planning network.
With some of Africa's
fastest expanding economies,
the SADC region ran out of
surplus generation capacity, a
situation that became more
evident in 2007, as accurately
predicted by the Southern
African Power Pool (SAPP)
over a decade ago.
As of February 2008, SADC
combined electricity demand
stood at 47,067MW vís á
vís available capacity of
43,518MW.
The energy recovery roadmap

The SADC Energy Recovery
Plan contains prioritised
programmes and activities
covering the power sector
to be reviewed on a yearly
basis.
After an emergency
meeting of the Energy
Ministerial Task Force on
Implementation of Power
Sector Programme in
Botswana in February 2008
and later the Energy
Ministerial Meeting in the
Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) in April, SADC
Member States agreed to:

integrate energy conservation;
create regional energy linkages;
adopt a Biomass Energy
Conservation Plan and;
execute a Power Surplus
Capacity Utilisation Programme.


At their meeting in DRC,
the energy ministers also
noted the importance
of reviving the Energy Planning and Environmental
Management Training Programme.
Assessment of the regional
power projects

A SAPP steering committee
that met in August 2008 to
assess progress on the implementation
of power projects
concluded that the electricity
supply-demand situation
continued to be unstable. It
warned that the situation was
likely to impact on the SADC
region's integration agenda,
whose successful implementation
heavily hinges on the
availability of sufficient energy
and other infrastructure
services.
Furthermore, a review
committee set up by the SADC
Secretariat in conjunction with
SAPP also said in September
that most of the generation
and transmission projects that
were embarked on as early as
2005 have not yet been completed
on time.
The committee attributed
the slow progress to the
financial constraints arising
from low tariffs, inappropriate
national policies and lack
of political will on the part of
some Member States.
The SAPP Co-ordination
Centre Manager, Lawrence
Musaba, said that the policy
structure of the electricity
industry in the region has a
bearing on the development of
the sector and therefore called
for an immediate review of
such policies.
Musaba said that when the
regional Energy Recovery
Plan comes under its first
annual review in February
2009, Member States need to
take into account the need to
urgently address lack of a
regional policy in the energy
sector.
SAPP has recommended
that in 2009, Member States
need to quickly implement
the short-term projects
which are currently behind
schedule.
As shown by the SAPP
mid-year status report presented
at the SADC Summit in
August, the implementation
of both short and long-term
regional generation and transmission
projects were between
a year and two years behind
schedule.

Strengthening regional
power pools
THE REGIONAL Electricity
Regulatory Association
(RERA), says there is need to
start a process that will culminate
in common electricity
standards across the continent
and bring the regional
power pools together as part
of the solution to the current
energy shortages.
The move is meant to
speed up the pace of interconnection
across national
borders, which has often
been hampered by the existence
of different standards
in various countries.


Priority regional energy
projects

Regional generation projects
which need urgent attention
include the Inga-3 and the
Grand Inga-Phase-1 with a
total potential generation
capacity of 9500MW.
The WESTCOR transmission
interconnector project is
another regional initiative that
is still lagging behind.
The project was conceived
through the combined initiative
of the SADC Secretariat
and the power utilities of
Angola, Botswana, DRC, Namibia and South Africa in
1996, but little has happened
to bring it to fruition.
However, other national or
bilateral projects which are set
to improve power system
reliability and enhance the
exchange of energy are near
completion, with some expected
by end of 2008.
These include the
600MW DRC-Zambia interconnector,
the 300MW
Malawi-Mozambique interconnector,
the 400MW
Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya
interconnector and other
smaller hydro power projects
dotted across the region.
Challenges and constraints
for 2009

SADC is still facing a number
of challenges in the energy
sector despite current efforts
at dealing with the shortages.
Blackouts and load shedding
are still prevalent in some
Member States, while economic
growth in countries such as
Angola and Zambia will
inevitably strain available
capacity.
According to SAPP, the
process of consolidating and
updating information on
SADC energy programmes
and projects which is in line
with the region's long term
plans requires more technical
support and human power
than initially envisaged.
Some of the more prominent
challenges and constraints
are:

Inability of national policy
structures to conform with
recommendations by the
Ministerial Task Force
made at regional level;
Inadequate financial
resources to implement
projects and;
Inadequate infrastructure
and human resources.


title:
Malawi's grain subsidy strengthens food security

Abstract:
THE TURNAROUND in
Malawi, from being a food
deficit country to one producing
surplus grain and overcoming
food shortages has
demonstrated that regional
countries have the capacity to
be food secure if they apply
the right policies.

body:
THE TURNAROUND in
Malawi, from being a food
deficit country to one producing
surplus grain and overcoming
food shortages has
demonstrated that regional
countries have the capacity to
be food secure if they apply
the right policies.
The grain subsidy programme
that was introduced
in 2005 has seen the government
increasing the provision
of maize seed and fertiliser to
the smallholder farmers by
more than 75 percent.
As a result, Malawi has since
2005 trebled maize production
from 1.2 million tonnes to 3.4
million tonnes in the 2007/2008
agricultural season.
The government policy
intervention _ a reintroduction
of fertiliser and seed subsidies
that began in 1999 _ is profoundly
supported by the
Malawian President Bingu wa
Mutharika, who doubles as
Minister of Agriculture.
Starting in 2005, the government
distributed coupons to
low-income farmers allowing
them to purchase two 50kg bags
of fertiliser equivalent to US$7,
one-fifth the market price.
In addition, the government
provided vouchers to buy
seeds sufficient for planting
half an acre each. As a result,
the average farmer's yield
increased to two tonnes per
hectare from 0.8 tonnes in 2005.
In the 2007/2008 agricultural
season, the subsidy programme
cost the government
US$62 million or 6.5 percent of
its total budget.



The programme was initially
criticised by economists and
multilateral agencies who
argued that the expansion
of subsidies would
worsen the budget
deficit and create distortions
in the market.
But Malawi's recent successes in turning around
the agriculture sector and
ensuring food security for the
country has confounded critics.
In fact, the phenomenal
increase in maize production
has saved the country a yearly
budget of US$120 million that
it had spent in 2005 importing
food aid.
As highlighted by
Malawi's Deputy Minister
of Agriculture, Frank
Mwendifumbo, the important
lesson for policy makers in
the region is that government
subsidies are necessary for
growth in agriculture. Such
an intervention is in line
with the SADC Declaration on Agriculture and Food
Security that was adopted by
SADC Member States in
Tanzania.
Among the medium to long
term targets, the SADC leaders
agreed to ensure that all
Member States progressively
increase agricultural finance
allocation to at least 10 percent
of national budgets within a
period of five years.
In the 2008/2009 agriculture
season, Malawi plans to
spend US$186 million in
an ambitious farm input
subsidy programme for 1.7
million peasant farmers, agriculture
authorities recently
announced.


title:
Mozambique aims to lead "green revolution"

Abstract:
MOZAMBIQUE AIMS to
lead a "green revolution" in
sub-Saharan Africa by using
science and innovation to
improve crop varieties and
boost production.

body:
MOZAMBIQUE AIMS to
lead a "green revolution" in
sub-Saharan Africa by using
science and innovation to
improve crop varieties and
boost production.
Opening a conference in
September on Biotechnology,
Breeding and Seed Systems
for African Crops in Maputo,
Mozambique's Minister of
Science and Technology,
Venancio Massingue, declared
that a "green revolution" is
needed for development in the
region.
"Incorporating science in
agriculture in Mozambique is
key to the modernisation of
the economy and to provide
jobs in rural and urban areas.
This is why science improves
the lives of people," said
Massingue.
He said his country's bid to
bring about a "green revolution"
would only be possible if
scientists breed high-yielding
varieties of crops to relieve
hunger in rural areas.
Mozambique has set aside
over US$30 million dollars for
seed and fertiliser distribution, and the government is looking
for private sector partnerships
to widen the seed programme.
Mozambican President
Armando Guebuza declared
that his government is striving
toward a "green revolution" to
improve and diversify agriculture
and increase food production.
Calisto Bias, Director of
the Mozambique National Institute of Agricultural
Research, said research
plays an important role in the
development and promotion
of new agricultural products.
"The use of improved seeds
is quite (low) in Mozambique
and Africa in general. Seed
companies always complain
about the small market compared
to the cost of production,"
said Bias.


title:
Angola's rural agricultural project
receives cash boost

Abstract:
A SIX-YEAR project aimed at
improving Angola's smallholder
farmers' produce and access
to markets has received a grant
of US$6.4 million from the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation.

body:
A SIX-YEAR project aimed at
improving Angola's smallholder
farmers' produce and access
to markets has received a grant
of US$6.4 million from the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The project, which will be
managed by the Angolan government,
hopes to open new
market opportunities for rural
farmers in Angola.
The PRORENDA project, as
it will be known, is a groundbreaking
initiative designed to
benefit smallholder farmers in
Angola's central highlands, 60 percent of whom are said to be
women, including war widows
and female heads of vulnerable
households.
Beneficiaries also include
people with disabilities sustained
during Angola's 27-
year civil conflict.
By connecting smallholder
farmers in the central highlands
to major urban markets
for crops such as potatoes, carrots
and onions, the project
seeks to raise incomes of more
than 51,000 smallholder farmers'
families.


title:
Zambia's election free and transparent SADC

Abstract:
ELECTION OBSERVERS
have praised the conduct of
the 30 October presidential
election in Zambia saying the
process was in conformity
with regional and international
standards.

body:
ELECTION OBSERVERS
have praised the conduct of
the 30 October presidential
election in Zambia saying the
process was in conformity
with regional and international
standards.
The SADC Election
Observer Mission (SEOM),
headed by Swaziland
Permanent Secretary for
Defence, John Kunene, said
the elections were "peaceful,
free and transparent" and
reflected the will of the
Zambian people.
"It is SADC's overall view
that the elections were conducted
in an open, transparent
and professional manner,"
said Kunene.
"No acts of intimidation
were observed or reported
countrywide," Kunene added.
The SEOM pleaded with the
different political parties to
follow the relevant institutions
in Zambia to address any
grievances.
SADC further commended
the Electoral Commission of
Zambia (ECZ) for the professional
management of the
elections and commitment to
produce credible and legitimate
electoral results.
The African Union (AU)
said the elections were peaceful
and voter counting and
transmission of the results
were conducted in a transparent
manner.
Head of the AU observer
mission and Minister of
Foreign Affairs in Mauritius,
Anil Gayan, said polling was
in conformity with the declaration
of AU principles governing
democratic elections in
Africa.
"Overall the elections
were free, transparent and
fair," the AU mission said,
citing a few problems that
needed to be rectified in
future elections.
The election was won by
Rupiah Banda, the former acting
president and candidate of
the Movement for Multi-
Party Democracy (MMD).
According to the final results
released by the ECZ on 1
November, Banda won the
presidency with 40.09 percent
of the vote followed by Michael
Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF)
who garnered 38.13 percent.
Hakainde Hichilema of the
United Party for National
Development (UPND) won
19.73 percent while Godfrey
Miyanda of the Heritage Party
(HP) got less than one percent
of the vote.
The election was necessitated
by the death of incumbent
Levy Mwanawasa who passed
away in August.
Voter turnout was 45.43
percent representing 1.8 million
people, out of a total 3.9
million registered voters.


title:
PROFILE
Rupiah Banda, President of Zambia

Abstract:
THE FOURTH president of the
Republic of Zambia, Rupiah
Banda, is a veteran politician
who has been in the public service
for more than 50 years.

body:
THE FOURTH president of the
Republic of Zambia, Rupiah
Banda, is a veteran politician
who has been in the public service
for more than 50 years.
Born on 19 February 1937,
Banda was among a group of
young leaders of the United
National Independence Party
(UNIP) who won Zambia's independence
in October 1964,
under the leadership of Kenneth
Kaunda.
At the age of 27, he became
Zambia's first ambassador to
Egypt. It was a significant posting
as Cairo was an important
African capital during the leadership
of Gamal Abdel Nasser,
who was a key supporter of
independence struggles in
Zambia and the region.
Banda, an economist by profession,
held several diplomatic
posts including Zambia's representative
to the United Nations
from the late 1960s to early 1970s.
In 1975, he was appointed as
Foreign Minister by Kaunda at a critical period in the history of
southern Africa, at a time when
Mozambique and Angola were
gaining independence.
Between 1982 and 1986, he
served as President of the
United Nations Council on
Namibia which was effectively
the government of Namibia
while the matter of South
Africa's disputed mandate over
the territory was being
resolved.
In 1988, he was again elected
as a Member of Parliament and
served in the National Assembly
until 1991 when the UNIP government
was defeated in
Zambia's first multi-party elections.
In 1994, he was appointed
Minister of State Mines and later
became Senior Governor for
Lusaka in 1998.
He resigned from politics in
2002 to join the private sector, but
was recalled to the post of Vice
President by the late President
Levy Mwanawasa after the 2006
presidential election.


title:
PROFILE
Kgalema Motlanthe, President of South
Africa and SADC Chairperson

Abstract:
THE NEW SADC
Chairperson is
Kgalema Motlanthe,
the interim President
of South Africa
and Deputy President
of the ruling
party, the African
National Congress
(ANC).

body:
THE NEW SADC
Chairperson is
Kgalema Motlanthe,
the interim President
of South Africa
and Deputy President
of the ruling
party, the African
National Congress
(ANC).
A former trade unionist and previously ANC
Secretary General, Motlanthe
has made a significant contribution
to his party and country.
Born on 19 July 1949 in
Johannesburg, Motlanthe spent
most of his early life in Soweto
organising against the apartheid
administration.
In the 1970s, while working
for the Johannesburg City
Council, he was recruited into
Umkhonto we Sizwe -- the military
wing of the ANC.
In April 1976, he was arrested
for furthering the aims of the
ANC and was detained without
trial for 11 months at John
Vorster Square in Johannesburg.
In 1977, he was found guilty
of three charges under the
Terrorism Act and sentenced to
an effective 10 years imprisonment
at Robben Island.
After his release in
1987, he was tasked
with strengthening
the union movement.
When the ANC was
legalised in 1990,
Motlanthe was put in
charge of re-establishing
the legal structures
of the party.
In 1997 he was elected as
Secretary General of ANC and
was re-elected in 2002. Among
other things, his responsibilities
included the development of
party-to-party relations in the
SADC region.
He was elected ANC Deputy
President in December 2007 at
the party's 52nd National
Conference in Polokwane, and
in July 2008 he was appointed
Minister in The Presidency of
the Republic of South Africa,
before becoming interim
President in September after the
incumbent, Thabo Mbeki, was
recalled by the party.
South Africa hosted the
SADC Summit of Heads of State
and Government in August
2008, after being elected to chair
the regional community for the
following year.


title:
Time for Africa to harness its huge hydro-energy potential

Abstract:
COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES
attending the
20th Session of the African
Hydro Symposium held in
Zambia have called for
African governments to
harness its huge hydroenergy
potential, as it is
cheap and clean.

body:
COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES
attending the
20th Session of the African
Hydro Symposium held in
Zambia have called for
African governments to
harness its huge hydroenergy
potential, as it is
cheap and clean.
According to Lawrence
Musaba, the Coordination
Centre Manager for the
Southern African Power
Pool (SAPP), Africa has a
combined feasible hydrocapacity
of more than
1,750,000 gigawatts (GW)
per year, enough to power
the whole continent but
unfortunately, only 4.3
percent of this is being
exploited.


The symposium heard
from SAPP and the
Regional Electricity
Regulators Association of
Southern Africa (RERA)
that in order to deal with
the regional power
deficits and stop a further
decline of the environment,
alternative power
sources have to be
researched and exploited.
One such renewable
energy source is hydro
which involves using
water to turn turbines,
and generate clean and
cheap electricity.
With seven major river
systems (Congo, Limpopo,
Niger, Nile, Orange,
Senegal and Zambezi)
Africa holds 10 percent of
the world hydro-energy
potential, but has so far
exploited only a small part
of its capability, the symposium
heard.
RERA stressed that climate
change, the quest for
cleaner energy and Africa's
needs for constant power
supply clearly underscore
the need to boost investment
in the hydropower
sector while taking into
account broader environmental,
economic and
social concerns.
The symposium, which
aims at sharing experiences
between governments
and the private sector,
is intended to pool
resources and step up
regional cooperation in
the energy sector among
African countries.
At the opening ceremony,
Zambia's Energy and
Water Development
Minister, Kenneth Konga,
appealed for the reinforcement
of cooperation
amongst countries of the
region, with the aim of
strengthening cohesion
towards regional energy
development.
Discussion at this
year's conference covered
topics such as the energy
shortage in the region, an
evaluation of progress on
current projects, plans to
move establish a single
power pool for the continent,
lessons and challenges
of new energy
technology, and sharing
of experiences, among
other issues.
Before the conference, a
panel of regional utilities
was assembled to review
the key questions relating
to water and energy
resource exploitation,
financing, and environmental
and social impacts.
The panel's report
noted that hydropower
has been financed traditionally
by public funds
and therefore recommended
the involvement
of the private sector as the
continent is facing a
shortage of public funds.
The panel also called
for the development of
mini-hydro stations that
have the potential of supplying
cheap energy to
rural communities.
Hydropower is plentiful
in eastern and southern
Africa where availability
of adequate rainfall
and relief creates the
basic natural potential for
exploitation.
North Africa has 23
percent of the continent's
hydro-power, West Africa
has 25 percent, while east
and southern Africa have
52 percent.
Examples of major
hydro projects in southern
Africa include the Inga
hydropower station in the
Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) of which
construction of phase
three is expected to start
in 2009 at a total cost of
US$3.6 billion.
The Inga Falls project is
believed to be the largest
single hydropower initiative
in the world and, when
operating at full capacity, is
expected to surpass
Mozambique's Cahora
Bassa, currently one of
Africa's biggest hydroelectric
stations, producing an
estimated 2,500 MW.
Other hydropower projects
in southern Africa
include Kariba (shared by
Zambia and Zimbabwe),
Kafue Gorge in Zambia,
Kidatu in Tanzania,
Maguga in Swaziland, and
the Bethlehem power project
in South Africa, among
others.


title:
Zambia, World Bank sign US$75.5m power deal

Abstract:
THE ZAMBIAN government
has signed a
US$75.5 million financial
agreement with the World
Bank aimed at increasing
access to electricity as the
region continues to face
power shortages.

body:
THE ZAMBIAN government
has signed a
US$75.5 million financial
agreement with the World
Bank aimed at increasing
access to electricity as the
region continues to face
power shortages.
According to Ng'andu
Magande, Zambia's
Finance Minister, "The
funding will enhance
Zambia's power generation
projects that seek to increase electricity supply
to all parts of the country,
with more emphasis on
rural areas."
Magande said effective
implementation of the
ongoing rural electrification
project as well as new
generation projects need
to be supported by costreflective
tariffs to
safeguard operational
efficiencies for power
entities such as the Company (ZESCO).
The project will see
the World Bank and
the Global Environment
Facility providing US$33
million and US$4.5 million,
respectively, with
the European Union
providing an additional
US$15 million while the
Zambian government
will inject US$12 million
into the project.


title:
African renewable energy attracts attention

Abstract:
THE POTENTIAL for
renewable energy development
in Africa is growing
as both investors and
regional leaders seek a
new clean energy frontier.

body:
THE POTENTIAL for
renewable energy development
in Africa is growing
as both investors and
regional leaders seek a
new clean energy frontier.
According to the
African Development
Bank (AfDB), the continent
could become a
"gold mine" for renewable
energy due to abundant
solar and wind
resources.

However, the development
of the industry has been made difficult by
lack of financial resources
and poor infrastructure.
Meeting at the Africa
Carbon Forum in Senegal
in October, officials from
the African Union (AU),
AfDB, and power utilities
shared strategies for
"Clean Development
Mechanism" (CDM) projects
on the continent,
such as greenhouse gasreducing
initiatives.
The focus of the meeting
was centred on the possibility
of future CDM projects
under a successor
agreement to the Kyoto
Protocol.
Yet so far, Africa has
benefited the least among
all continents from the
US$7 billion annual CDM
market.
Since the European
Union began trading
"carbon credits" through
its Emissions Trading
Scheme in 2005, only 27 of
the 1,156 CDM projects
included under the
scheme have been registered
in Africa.
A report by the AfDB
released at the meeting
provides further evidence
of the continent's potential.
Sub-Saharan Africa has
the potential to provide
more than 170 gigawatts
(GW) of additional powergeneration
capacity --
more than double the subregion's
current installations
through 3,200 "lowcarbon"
energy projects,
such as combined heatand-
power, biofuels production,
mass transportation,
and energy efficiency,
says the report.


title:
Solar power brings hope for rural
clinics in Madagascar

Abstract:
THE USE of solar energy
in rural Madagascar has
brought relief to many
areas that were previously
disadvantaged.

body:
THE USE of solar energy
in rural Madagascar has
brought relief to many
areas that were previously
disadvantaged.
Still unconnected to the
national grid, several
rural hospitals and clinics
have recently been
equipped with solar technology
to produce their
own electricity.
Before the initiative
spearheaded by the Madagascan government,
rural residents had to
bring their own candles to
be attended to during the
night.
According to the country's
2007 National
Development Report,
only three percent of the
rural population are connected
to the national
electricity grid, yet 85 percent
of Madagascar's 17
million people live in the
countryside.
Another problem facing
the country is that of
infrastructure which has
prevented the investment
in electricity by private
investors in the rural
areas.
With the new initiative,
each room at the local clinic
is equipped with light
bulbs. Most clinics have
also been able to remove
the generators that used to
power refrigerators that
store vaccinations and
medicines.


Abstract:
ANGOLA EXPECTS to
boost its oil production
in 2009 to 2.5 million barrels
a day.

body:
Angola to boost oil production in 2009
ANGOLA EXPECTS to
boost its oil production
in 2009 to 2.5 million barrels
a day.
According to a government
statement, Cabinet
Ministers approved a
2009 budget based on a
projected oil production
of 779 million barrels.
The Organisation of
Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) puts Angola's current daily
production at about 1.7
million barrels a day, the
largest on the African
continent.
Angola joined OPEC
in 2007, making it the
newest member of the
organisation. This year,
Angola surpassed
Nigeria as the leading
producer of oil on the
continent.



title:
SADC and DBSA sign MoU for project
investment facility

Abstract:
SADC HAS signed an agreement
with the Development
Bank of Southern Africa to
strengthen capacity in producing
projects that can
attract investors.

body:
SADC HAS signed an agreement
with the Development
Bank of Southern Africa to
strengthen capacity in producing
projects that can
attract investors.
This is a first step towards
the SADC Project Preparation
and Develop-ment Facility
(PPDF), to be established within
the context of the Regional
Deve-lopment Fund, as an
instrument to finance regional
cooperation and integration
projects.
The PPDF is expected to
strengthen preparation of
viable regional infrastructure
projects and unleash abundant
project capital available in the for project identification,
preparation and development.
The Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) was
signed by the SADC Executive
Secretary, Tomaz Augusto
Salomão, and Paul Baloyi,
Chief Executive of the DBSA.
The parties said the purpose
of the MoU is to clarify principles,
roles and functional areas
of cooperation between the
SADC Secretariat and the DBSA
in respect of hosting and implementing
the SADC PPDF.
"This will ensure that projects
are bankable and attractive
to investors, and thereby contribute
to the enhancement of the state of infrastructure in the
region," a SADC statement said.
The next step is to put in
place an appropriate framework
for managing the facility,
SADC said, adding that Member States in collaboration
with DBSA will urgently
examine an appropriate
framework with a view to
having the facility fully operational
by the end of 2008.


Abstract:
THE NEPAD Business
Foundation has held talks with
business leaders in the SADC
region to consolidate private
sector involvement in regional
and continental development.

body:
THE NEPAD Business
Foundation has held talks with
business leaders in the SADC
region to consolidate private
sector involvement in regional
and continental development.
Through the NEPAD-SADC
Business Hub, the two organisations
hope to increase private
sector participation at a
regional level.
"This consolidation into
regional trading hubs will
allow SADC to stack up and
engage in respectable trade
relations and set terms of trade
that are favourable for both
sides and have a formidable
partner that is good for reciprocity,"
said Reuel Khoza,
chairperson of the NBF.
The joint business hub will:

ensure the private sector’s
role in the development of
economic growth in the
region.
address the current
challenges in conducting
business in
the region.
promote trade and investment
flows.
reinforce the role of the private
sector for relevant trade
and economic policies.
strengthen regional integration.


title:
South Africa, Venezuela sign major
energy deal

Abstract:
SOUTH AFRICA and
Venezuela have sealed a major
oil deal that could reduce the
cost of fuel in South Africa and
the region.

body:
SOUTH AFRICA and
Venezuela have sealed a major
oil deal that could reduce the
cost of fuel in South Africa and
the region.
Although no details were
available, the deal is likely to
include plans for Venezuela to
supply crude oil at preferential
rates to South Africa’s
state oil company, PetroSA.
South Africa’s pioneering
gas-to-liquid technology,
while PetroSA is looking to
invest in oil exploration and
production in Venezuela.
Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez said his country was
interested in using South
Africa’s oil storage capacity of
some 45 million barrels and help
expand its refining capacity.
With the world facing unstable
oil prices, Chavez said it is
imperative that nations of the
South unite behind a "new
strategic agenda, to conduct a
true strategic change in international
relations."


title:
Inflation hits double figures in most
SADC countries

Abstract:
INFLATION FIGURES during
the third quarter hit double
digits in most SADC countries,
mainly due to an
increase in electricity, oil, food
and housing costs.

body:
INFLATION FIGURES during
the third quarter hit double
digits in most SADC countries,
mainly due to an
increase in electricity, oil, food
and housing costs.
South Africa’s main inflation
rate rose to 13 percent in
August, a little above forecasts
by the South African Reserve
Bank. The annual rise in inflation
accelerated from 11.6 percent
in July.
A similar trend affected
Zambian inflation, recording
13.2 percent in August, 0.6
percent higher than the July
rate of 12.6 percent. Compared with the same period last year,
the annual rate of inflation
increased by 2.5 percentage
points, from 10.2 percent.
Botswana’s inflation accelerated
to a year-on-year rate of
15 percent in August as transport
and food costs increased.
According to the Central
Statistics Office in Gaborone,
the inflation rate rose from
14.5 percent in July.
A few countries in the
region, including Angola,
Malawi, Namibia and the
United Republic of Tanzania,
still enjoy single digit inflation
figures.


title:
Southern Africa
Environment Outlook 2008

Abstract:
Southern Africa
Environment Outlook 2008

body:
The Southern Africa Environment
Outlook assesses the
current state of the environment
in the region, and reflects
on trends over the past decade.
The report highlights key
emerging environmental issues
in southern Africa, and also
presents a set of future scenarios
for the region.

"SADC recognises that natural
resources are critical to
regional development and
poverty eradication and hence
enshrined 'sustainable utilisation
of natural resources and
effective protection of the environment'
in the revised SADC
Treaty," the SADC Executive
Secretary, Tomaz Augusto
Salomão, says in his foreword
to the book.
"In line with the Treaty, the
SADC Regional Indicative
Strategic Development Plan
(RISDP) calls for regular environmental
assessment, monitoring
and reporting for purposes
of analysing regional
trends.
"The importance of environmental
sustainability in the
SADC region is also reflected in
the many regional and international
agreements to which
Member States are signatory.
Furthermore, the critical nature
of natural resources to economic,
social and political integration
was also recognised at the
Rio Earth Summit of 1992."
The preparation of the
Southern Africa Environment
Outlook was coordinated by
the Southern African Research
and Documentation Centre
(SARDC) through its Musokotwane
Environment Resource
Centre for Southern
Africa (IMERCSA), as part of
the Communicating the
Environment Programme
(CEP), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) and
IUCN-The World Conservation
Union.
SARDC IMERCSA is the
regional collaborating centre
for UNEP on environmental
assessment and reporting for
southern Africa, and provides
the regional assessment for the
Africa Environment Outlook
and the Global Environment
Outlook.
Preparation of the Southern
Africa Environment Outlook
was based on a wide consultative
and participatory process,
during which consensus around regional perspectives
and priorities was built over a
10-year period.
The Southern Africa
Environment Outlook (SAEO)
is published almost 15 years
after the first comprehensive
State of the Environment in
Southern Africa, produced by
CEP in 1994, and six years after
a major report on water,
Defining and Mainstreaming Environmental Sustainability in
Water Resources Manage-ment in
Southern Africa, launched at the
World Summit on Sustainable
Development in 2002.
SADC plans to produce
environmental reports more
often in line with the RISDP targets
for five-yearly intervals.
The next report is expected to
review the period 2005-2010.


Abstract:
THE SADC Gender Unit is
preparing a plan for consultations
throughout the region on
the draft gender protocol to enable
the involvement of all
stakeholders.

body:
THE SADC Gender Unit is
preparing a plan for consultations
throughout the region on
the draft gender protocol to enable
the involvement of all
stakeholders.
The draft Protocol on Gender
and Development is under
review after the 2007 Summit of
Heads of State and Government
referred it back to SADC
ministers responsible for gender
to allow for further national
consultations.
Consultations will be undertaken
in the first half of 2008 so
that the protocol can be finalised
and submitted to Summit
in August.

The immediate action to be
taken by the SADC Gender
Unit is to finalise the roadmap
for national activities, including
specific activities that will
be undertaken, what partnerships
will be entered into, and
which stakeholders to consult,
as well as setting timeframes
for all the activities to be undertaken
to ensure sufficiently
wide consultations.
The key stakeholders to be
involved from the beginning of
the process include SADC senior
officials, officials from ministries
of justice, foreign affairs,
finance, members of parliament,
and development partners.


title:
African unity and industrial development
the focus of 10th African Union Assembly

Abstract:
THE AFRICAN Union has accelerated
plans for unification
through establishment of a
high-level group of heads of
state and government, under
the leadership of President
Jakaya Kikwete of the United
Republic of Tanzania, who is
the new AU chairperson.

body:
THE AFRICAN Union has accelerated
plans for unification
through establishment of a
high-level group of heads of
state and government, under
the leadership of President
Jakaya Kikwete of the United
Republic of Tanzania, who is
the new AU chairperson.
The high-level group,
made up of Kikwete and President
John Kufuor of Ghana as
the outgoing AU chairperson,
includes 10 other leaders, two from each of the five regions
of Africa.
This group was established
at the 10th Ordinary Session of
the African Union Assembly
of Heads of State and Government
held in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, at the end of January.
The high-level group is
mandated to study the issues
that have hampered progress,
identified by a ministerial
committee that presented its
report to the Assembly. The
new higher level committee is
expected to present recommendations
on a union government
to their colleagues at
the next AU Assembly, set for
Cairo in July.
The areas of divergence recall
the original debates at the
founding Summit of the Organisation
of African Unity
(OAU) in May 1963 when
President Kwame Nkrumah
of Ghana wanted immediate
unification of the few countries
that were independent, in
a pan-African government.
President Julius Nyerere of
Tanzania was equally eloquent
in advocating a “brickby-
brick” approach, starting
with the pursuance of political
independence for the remaining
countries under colonial
rule or apartheid, including
the whole of southern Africa.
It is ironic that the two
leaders who handed over the
torch in January as incoming
and outgoing chairperson of
the AU, represent the same
two countries.
The new debates arose after
the completion of political independence
with the end of
the apartheid government in
South Africa in 1994, thus the
achievement of political independence
by the OAU and the
subsequent establishment of
the African Union.
The protagonists this time
are the Libyan President, Col.
Muammar Gaddafi, insisting on immediate transformation
to a United States of Africa,
while southern Africa advocates
strengthening the Regional
Economic Communities
(RECs) as building blocks.
While the AU is agreed on
the movement towards a
union government, there are
different views on the timing
and model of governance.
There are four areas of divergence,
focusing essentially
on whether to move rapidly to
political unity of the continent,
or to strengthen regional
economic development first,
as building blocks.
The timing of the establishment
of a union government
has two schools of thought.
One is the gradual approach
from the bottom up, advocated
by eastern and southern
Africa, based on the RECs and
taking time to build regional
economies.
The other school of
thought, comprising mostly
west African states and Libya,
is for a top-down approach
starting with the formation of
a union government and election
of its leader as a matter of
urgency, to replace the current
AU Commission.
The latter group wants a
union president in place with
a small cabinet to cover trade,
defence and foreign policy;
and expansion of the cabinet
up to 2015.
In addition to timing, the
other sticking point is the
model of governance to adopt:
a federal model like the United
States of America; a coalition
of states cooperating in
specific areas with clearly defined
state sovereignty, similar
to the European Union; or a
gradual approach that will
eventually lead to one continental
government.
While this complex issue of
the form and timing of African
governance was again deferred to committee, the discussions
during the three-day
Summit were based on the
theme of “Industrial Development
of Africa,” with emphasis
on the need to strengthen
national economies by engaging
in economic co-operation
partnerships.
Other issues addressed included
peace resolution and
security, climate change, and
the role of the youths in
African development.
Tanzania's President Kikwete,
elected as the new AU
chairperson, pledged to work
hard in changing Africa's current
image as a continent
stereotyped for civil wars,
political turbulence and instability.
“There is a lot of bad news
coming from Africa, despite
the continent's enormous resources.
It is my hope that we
can turn things around. This is
the major challenge ahead of
us,” Kikwete said.
“Time has come for us to
bring about development on
the continent. We (African nations)
must forge closer unity
and have a common voice in
dealing with the prevailing
unfair global trading and financial
framework.”
The selection of Kikwete
was anticipated as the rotating
presidency had to be taken by
an east African nation.


Abstract:
THE FORMER foreign
minister of Gabon, Jean
Ping, has been appointed
as the new chairperson of
the AU Commission to replace
Alpha Omar Konare,
whose term has expired.

body:
THE FORMER foreign
minister of Gabon, Jean
Ping, has been appointed
as the new chairperson of
the AU Commission to replace
Alpha Omar Konare,
whose term has expired.
Seven commissioners
out of the eight portfolios
of the AU Commission
were appointed at the recent
AU Assembly. The
two commissioners from
southern Africa were reappointed:
Economic Affairs, Dr.
Maxwell Mkwezalamba
(Malawi); and
Social Affairs, Adv.
Bience Philomina
Gawanas (Namibia).


The AU Commission
also elected nine new
members of its Peace and
Security Council (PSC):
Burundi, Chad, Rwanda,
Uganda, Tunisia, Swaziland,
Benin, Burkina Faso
and Mali.
The new council was
urged to prioritise the
protection of civilians
and in particular,
women and girls in
Sudan, Somalia, and
the DRC.


Abstract:
THE SADC region will spend
about US$7.9 billion over the
next two years to boost power supplies
while a further US$32 billion
is earmarked for longer-term electricity
generation projects.

body:
THE SADC region will spend
about US$7.9 billion over the
next two years to boost power supplies
while a further US$32 billion
is earmarked for longer-term electricity
generation projects.
SADC energy ministers resolved
at a meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe,
in 2007 that Member States
should undertake short-term generation
projects that will add 6,700
megawatts (MW) of power to the
regional network.
The short-term projects will cost
US$7.88 billion and should be ready
by 2010, according to the ministers.
The regional network is administered
by the Southern African
Power Pool (SAPP) Coordination
Centre in Harare.
“The regional generation surplus
is expected to increase by
5,000MW from generation projects
in progress by 2010,” the energy
ministers said in a statement.
The SADC region was projected
to run out of surplus generation capacity
in 2007. Current installed capacity
in the region is 53,000MW but
the dependable capacity is only
about 41,000MW, the ministers said.
The region's electricity generation
capacity has not increased in
tandem with the growth in demand
for power occasioned by the rapid
expansion of the regional economy.
Power demand growth has averaged
three percent a year over the past decade, spurned on by economic
expansion of around five
percent.
Since 2004, SAPP members have
commissioned rehabilitation projects
that have contributed 1,810
MW to the regional grid.
“The regional energy shortfall is
currently 1,000MW, without a reserve
margin of 4,000MW,” the
ministers revealed, adding that the
shortfall is expected to be reduced
to zero through the implementation
of short-term projects over the next
two years.
A number of long-term generation
projects are also lined up, some
of which will be ready by 2020.
“The SAPP members shall undertake
long-term generation projects,
which shall add 32,000 MW to
the SAPP network at a cost of
US$32 billion,” the energy ministers
said.
The region's flagship long-term
project is the Western Corridor
Power Project (WESTCOR), a giant
five-country initiative that will exploit
the environmentally friendly,
renewable, hydroelectric energy of
the Inga rapids site in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC).
The energy ministers acknowledged
the “likely contribution of
WESTCOR as a renewable largescale
hydroelectric power generation,
power transmission and broadband
telecommunications project.”
The project will add about
3,500MW to the regional power
grid and will result in the development
of associated telecommunications
and transmission infrastructure
in the western part of SADC at
an estimated cost of US$7 billion.
The WESTCOR project is a joint
venture involving the power utilities
of Angola, Botswana, DRC,
Namibia and South Africa.
SAPP has 12 member countries
represented by their respective
power utilities, although three of
these countries - Angola, Malawi
and the United Republic of Tanzania
- are accorded non-operating member
status as they are not connected
to the regional electricity grid.
The island states of Mauritius
and Madagascar are not members
of SAPP.
A Revised Inter-Governmental
MOU was signed in 2006 and the
Revised Inter-Utility MOU in 2007.
The SAPP has transmission projects
that aim to connect Angola, Malawi
and the United Republic of Tanzania
and to bring on board private
investors to widen supply of electricity.
The revision of the IGMOU and
the IUMOU was meant to recognise
other new developments in the region
such as the restructuring of
SADC and its institutions, particularly
the dissolution of the electricity
sub-committee.


title:
To end power shortages Southern Africa has to “run while others walk”

Abstract:
As Southern Africa enters its second year of
crippling energy shortages as accurately
predicted by the Southern African Power Pool
about a decade ago, massive short-term projects
of close to US$8 billion must be fast tracked over
the next two years.

body:
As Southern Africa enters its second year of
crippling energy shortages as accurately
predicted by the Southern African Power Pool
about a decade ago, massive short-term projects
of close to US$8 billion must be fast tracked over
the next two years.
Electricity shortages have in recent weeks
severely affected several SADC Member States
leading to scheduled and, in some cases, unscheduled
power cuts.

From last year, load shedding has been introduced
in countries such as Namibia, South
Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Faced by mounting pressure from industry
and domestic consumers, South Africa's power
utility Eskom announced mid-January that it
would discontinue electricity exports to neighbouring
countries to meet local demand, although
a significant amount of its supply is
drawn from neighbouring countries, especially
Mozambique.
The Sunday Independent quoted Andrew Etzinger,
Eskom's chief of demand side management
as saying South Africa's electricity reserves
had dropped during the past year from
seven percent to minus 17 percent due to a decline
in generation performance. Etzinger said
it would take at least another seven years before
the situation could get back to normal.
“The fact is in this country, for a long time
we have had a surplus of electricity at a cheap
price – far cheaper than in other industrial nations.
So it has made sense for the giant investors,
whose plant needs massive amounts of
electricity, to invest here,” Etzinger told the
South African weekly.
“All that's happened now is that we have to
manage the resource differently. It is simply
going to cost investors more – this does not
mean that they have to halt their future projects,”
he added.
South African industrialists say the power
shortages have cost them billions of rands, especially
the mines and smelters which consume
most of the country's electricity.
Neighbouring countries such as Botswana,
Namibia and Swaziland, which relied on South
Africa for their energy supplies, have had to
turn to other sources in the region.
Swaziland, which imports 80 percent of its
electricity from South Africa, is currently in
talks with Mozambique; while Namibia and
Zimbabwe have put in place a power-sharing
deal that involves Nambian investment of
US$40million in the refurbishment of the
Hwange power station.
In a major development for the southern
African region, Mozambique recently took over ownership of the giant Cahora Bassa Dam and
the hydroelectric power company from former
colonial power, Portugal.
SADC member states agreed last year to fast
track short-term generation projects, which will
add 6,700 megawatts (MW) by 2010 to the regional
power grid at a cost of US$7.88 billion.
SAPP, which administers the regional power
network, predicted that beginning 2007, the
combined power generation reserve capacity in
the region would be lower than the peak demand.

In response, SADC Member States have initiated
a number of short, medium to long term
generation projects as well as some rehabilitation
projects that will guarantee the region the
much needed energy security.
Current installed capacity in the region is
53,000 MW of which dependable capacity is
only about 41,000 MW against demand of
42,000 MW.
The region requires a reserve margin of 10
percent if its economies are to operate smoothly.
With some of Africa's fastest growing
economies, SADC's electricity generation capacity
has not increased in tandem with the
growth in demand.
Available statistics show that power growth
demand in the region has averaged three percent
a year over the past decade on the back of
economic expansion of around five percent.
With the region having already run out of surplus
capacity, SAPP says the problem would likely
be overcome by 2010 if planned projects are
implemented and commissioned on schedule.
Energy security becomes more pertinent
given that the SADC Free Trade Area, which takes effect this year, is set to spur even more
growth in the region. SADC would also be seeking
to enhance its preparedness ahead of the
2010 Soccer World Cup.
If the current situation is to be brought
under control, southern African countries may
need to take heed of a famous statement by the
visionary Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.


Abstract:
SAPP, which manages the Southern African
energy grid connecting most of the landlocked
SADC Member States, has developed a
roadmap which seeks to address current challenges.

body:
SAPP, which manages the Southern African
energy grid connecting most of the landlocked
SADC Member States, has developed a
roadmap which seeks to address current challenges.
The SAPP roadmap seeks to boost southern
Africa's electricity generation capacity, with almost
50 short and long term projects underway
or planned for future development.
The long term generation projects alone are
expected to add 32,000 MW to the regional grid
at a cost of US$32 billion.
Notable inter-connectors include the Westcor
inter-connector extending from the Inga III
in DRC to Angola, Namibia, Botswana and onward
to South Africa.
Regional energy cooperation also seeks to
facilitate the development of other energy resources
such as biomass and biofuels, to augment
the power sector capacity.
There is also potential for the region to
strengthen self-sufficiency in petroleum and
gas resources by undertaking joint regional exploration
and development. sardc.net


Abstract:
THE SOUTHERN African Power Pool
(SAPP) was created in August 1995 at the
SADC summit held in Kempton Park, South
Africa, when member governments of SADC
(excluding Mauritius) signed an inter-Governmental
Memorandum of Understanding
for the formation of an electricity power pool
in the region.

body:
THE SOUTHERN African Power Pool
(SAPP) was created in August 1995 at the
SADC summit held in Kempton Park, South
Africa, when member governments of SADC
(excluding Mauritius) signed an inter-Governmental
Memorandum of Understanding
for the formation of an electricity power pool
in the region.
The ministers responsible for energy in
the SADC region signed the Revised Inter-
Governmental Memorandum of Understanding
on 23 February 2006.
The creation of SAPP confirmed the region's
commitment to expanding electricity
trade, reducing energy costs and providing
greater supply stability for the region's 12 national
utilities:
 Botswana Power Corporation (BPC);
 Electriçidade de Moçambique (EDM);
 Angola's Empresa Nacional de Electriçidade
(ENE);
 Electricity Supply Commission of
Malawi (Escom);
 South Africa's Eskom;
 Lesoth Electricity Corporation (LEC);
 Namibia's NamPower;
 Swaziland Electricity Board (SEB);
 Societe Nationale d'Electricite (SNEL) of
DRC;
 Tanzania Electricity Supply Company
(Tanesco);
 Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority
(ZESA); and
 Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation
(ZESCO).


The SAPP is governed by four agreements:
 Inter Governmental Memorandum of
Understanding which enabled the establishment
of SAPP;
 Inter-Utility Memorandum of Understanding,
which established SAPP's basic
management and operating principles;
 Agreement Between Operating Members
which established the specific rules
of operation and pricing; and
 Operating Guidelines, which provide
standards and operating guidelines.


title:
Status of the generation projects in the Southern African Power Pool

body:
Status of the generation projects in the Southern African Power Pool


Country Project Name Capacity [MW] Project Description Expected Date Expected Project Cost USD [million]



Angola Benguela 83 Gas Turbine Project. 2007 -
Capanda Phase 2 260 Development of the hydro-powerstation at Capanda. 2007 344


Gove 60 Rehabilitation of the dam and installation
of the power station. 2010 180



Botswana Morupule Expansion 600 Expansion of the
existing coal-fired plant. 2010 900



DRC Inga 2 800 Refurbishment of Inga hydro-electric project. 2007 452

Inga 1 110 Refurbishment 2007 78

Nseke 62 Starting project 2009 56
Koni 42 Refurbishment 2008 15
Mwadingusha 12 Refurbishment 2010 30
Zongo 75 Starting project 2010 6
Nzilo 27 Refurbishment 2009 28
Sanga 8 Refurbishment 2010 6



Malawi Tedzani 1&2 40 Rehabilitation 2007 17
Kaphichira
Phase-2 64 New hydro-plant 2009 50



Mozambique Mavuzi and Chicamba Projects 34 Long-term rehabilitation Projects 2009 30

Namibia Kudu 800 Construction of the power station 2010 640


South Africa Camden 1140 Rehabilitation 2008 848

Grootvlei 1140 Rehabilitation 2010 777

Komati 909 Rehabilitation 2010 987

Arnot 120 Upgrading 2007 63

Ankerlig OCGT 600 Upgrading 2007 240
Gourikwa 450 Upgrading 2007 180



Swaziland Maguga 20 Starting Project 2007 -


Tanzania Ubungo 60 Starting Project 2007 -
Kinyeredzi 200 Construction of gas powered project. 2007-9 190



Zambia Kafue Gorge 90 Upgrading 2008 50

Kariba North Bank 120 Upgrading 2009 60




Kariba North Bank Extension 360 Construction of a hydro-electric power
station. 2009 300


Itezhi-Tezhi 120 Construction 2010 142



Zimbabwe Hwange Rehabilitation 400 Implementation in progress. 2008 40


Kariba South Extension 300 Expansion of Kariba power station 2010 300

Hwange Expansion 600 Expansion of existing generation station 2010 600

Mini-hydro Generation 120 Construction of mini-hydro-power 2009 -

KEY New Short and Long Term Generation Projects Rehabilitation Projects
The table deals with the rehabilitation, short-term generation projects and long-term generation projects up to 2010. Due to the
current power shortages faced in the SADC region, the table provides the projects that are underway, but not those beyond 2010.
Source Southern African Power Pool


title:
Namibia reaps benefits of regional energy cooperation

Abstract:
NAMIBIA STARTED receiving
40 megawatts of power from
Zimbabwe's Hwange Power Station
in January as part of a multimillion-
dollar deal signed in 2007
between NamPower and Zimbabwe
Electricity Supply Authority
(Zesa).

body:
NAMIBIA STARTED receiving
40 megawatts of power from
Zimbabwe's Hwange Power Station
in January as part of a multimillion-
dollar deal signed in 2007
between NamPower and Zimbabwe
Electricity Supply Authority
(Zesa).
The power started flowing on
3 January following the completion
of the refurbishment of the
Hwange Power Station in northwestern
Zimbabwe.
Last year NamPower signed a
US$40 million power purchase
agreement with Zesa under
which it extended a loan to the
power utility to resuscitate four
units at Hwange Power Station.
NamPower is responsible for
funding equipment procurement
and labour costs while ZESA
caters for local costs. Under the
agreement Namibia would receive
150 megawatts from the
coal-fired power station.
NamPower managing director,
Paulinus Shilamba said the
power purchase agreement with
Zimbabwe was a timely arrangement
for a country that has previously
solely relied on South
Africa for electricity imports.
South Africa's power utility,
Eskom, has since the beginning of
the year struggled to meet both
domestic and regional demand.
Shilamba said the 40
megawatts would cushion
Namibia when Eskom fails to
supply the required amount of
power.
Electricity from Hwange
Power Station is being routed to
Namibia through South Africa
until NamPower's Caprivi Link
Interconnector is operational.
The Namibian economy was
severely crippled by the shortage
of power in South Africa over the
past three years, including an incident
two years ago when
Eskom's Koeberg Power Station
was damaged and had to be shut
down for several months.


Namibia has been forced to activate
its old power stations in
Walvis Bay and Windhoek to  avert serious electricity shortages
during the past three years. However,
the output from the two
power stations remains insufficient
to meet domestic demand.
The south-west African country
has in recent years pursued alternative
sources of power such
as Mozambique's Cahora Bassa as
well as Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The government is also focusing
on major projects such as the Kudu gas-to-power project, the
Lower Kunene hydropower
scheme and the Caprivi Link interconnector
into Zambia.
NamPower last year announced
plans involving
Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and
Zimbabwe to link Hwange Power
Station to Victoria Falls via
Botswana and Namibia.
The project, known as Zizabona,
will complete the link and create a corridor for power import
and export to the four countries.
“Zizabona will create the alternative
route for power import
from neighbouring countries,”
NamPower spokesperson, John
Kaimu said.


title:
Countries turn to bio-diesel as
volatility hits international oil market

Abstract:
SADC Member States are turning
to bio-diesel as volatility
rocks the international oil market.
Zimbabwe, Mozambique and
South Africa have led the search
for alternative sources of fuel to
cushion their economies from
the wild swings in international
oil prices.

body:
SADC Member States are turning
to bio-diesel as volatility
rocks the international oil market.
Zimbabwe, Mozambique and
South Africa have led the search
for alternative sources of fuel to
cushion their economies from
the wild swings in international
oil prices.
Zimbabwe pioneered Africa's
commercial bio-diesel production
when it launched the continent's
first bio-fuels plant in the
capital, Harare.
The plant uses seeds from the
fuel-rich jatropha shrub and is
expected to produce about 100
million litres of bio-diesel at full
throttle.
Mozambique's state-owned
petroleum company, Petromoc,
has also announced plans to implement
a US$550-million biofuels
project expected to produce
up to 226 million litres of fuel
and create about 800 jobs.
The plant will use sugar cane
and jatropha which will be
planted on about 74,000 hectares
of land as part of the joint project
with Cofamosa, which represents
200 Mozambican and
South African farmers.
In addition to domestic consumption,
Mozambique also
hopes to export biofuels to fellow
SADC Member States and
other African countries.
South Africa has also been exploring
prospects of full-scale
bio-diesel production amid indications
that world oil prices
could continue to rise.
International fuel prices have
hovered around US$90 per barrel
since peaking at US$100 at
the beginning of the year.


Abstract:
An international mining company
has announced initial
results of prospects containing 20
million pounds of uranium, giving
further impetus to the opening
of the first-ever uranium mine
in Botswana.

body:
An international mining company
has announced initial
results of prospects containing 20
million pounds of uranium, giving
further impetus to the opening
of the first-ever uranium mine
in Botswana.
The prospects, which form
part of the larger Letlhakane
project in the northeast of the
country, come from a resource
covering an area of approximately
six kms by three kms, and extends
from the surface to a depth
of 45 metres.
The company, A-Cap Resources,
announced last year that
it had discovered new uranium
deposits in Serule and intended to
fast-track the exploration programme
in Botswana on the back
of positive drilling results. It encountered
high-grade uranium
mineralisation of up to 10,000
parts per million in a new zone on
the eastern edge of the Mokobaesi
prospect.
Uranium, which is used in nuclear
weapons manufacturing
and as an alternative source of energy,
is currently in huge demand
the world over. Due to its increased
demand which outstrips
supply by a wide margin, prices
of the mineral has rose sharply
from about $10 per lb in 2002 to
over $100 per lb at present.
With world net electricity consumption
expected to nearly double
over the next two decades,
some 30 new nuclear reactors are
being built with expansion fastest
in developing Asia, including
China and India.
A-Cap Resources has operations
in Botswana, Australia and
China.


title:
Learning to live with floods -
Early warning and communication vital

Abstract:
“WITH THE floods we learn not
only how to deal with the land,
the water and the grass, but also
how to think of the use of physical
space for economic growth,
and reorganise the community in
terms of the challenges and opportunities
that arise…”

body:
“WITH THE floods we learn not
only how to deal with the land,
the water and the grass, but also
how to think of the use of physical
space for economic growth,
and reorganise the community in
terms of the challenges and opportunities
that arise…”
Speaking at Mozambique's
Eduardo Mondlane University in
2001, the late Dr José Negrão told
his audience that the country had
to learn to live with the floods.
This was instructive because
the previous year Mozambique
had suffered its worst floods
since the mid-1970s.
Fast-forward to 2008.

Fresh floods have hit southern
African countries throughout
the Zambezi River basin.
Angola, Malawi, Mozambique,
Zambia and Zimbabwe are the
most affected thus far.
Following forecasts of above
normal rainfall by the Southern
African Climate Outlook Forum
last year, governments made
contingency plans to offset and
mitigate the impacts of the possible
floods, in line with SADC
recommendations.
The SADC Secretariat has
been in the forefront of plans to
establish an improved communications
and early warning system
in the region.
SADC Executive Secretary
Tomáz Salomão told reporters
in the Mozambican capital, Maputo,
that it is important for
countries upstream and downstream
of major regional rivers
to exchange information in
order to plan joint action as
agreed in the SADC Revised
Protocol on Shared Watercourses.
Salomão said that in planning
for development, SADC countries
must put into place mechanisms
designed to tackle natural disasters,
which encompass mitigation
activities such as rescue operations
and assistance to the victims.
The Executive Secretary was
heading a SADC mission travelling
through the five countries
to learn firsthand of the impacts
of the floods.
He said that countries have
strengthened their disaster preparedness
mechanisms, and that
most of the populations living
along river banks have been rescued
and placed in safer places.

A more effective early warning
response and better cooperation
between regional governments
has led to a dramatically
reduced death toll in the flooding
that has hit the region this season.
Although this season has
brought some of the “heaviest
rains in living memory” in most
countries in the region, the
death toll and damage to infrastructure
and property has been
vastly reduced compared to previous
seasons.
Mozambique has been
praised by the international community
for its preparedness, rooted
in its previous harsh experiences.
As a downstream country
which suffers most from flooding,
Mozambique has managed
the 2008 floods without declaring
an emergency, a sign that it is
possible to live with the floods.
The SADC Council of Ministers
meeting at the end of February
is expected to approve a draft
recommendation to Heads of
State and Government to ensure
that each country's efforts are
complemented by the Secretariat
activities to attract financial institutions
into backing them.


Abstract:
NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL
service departments in
the region are driving a process
to establish a Meteorological
Association of Southern Africa.

body:
NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL
service departments in
the region are driving a process
to establish a Meteorological
Association of Southern Africa.
The process has been adopted
by SADC and currently includes
10 of the 14 Member
States with four others still consulting
at national level.
Climate expert and director
of the Zimbabwe Meteorological
Services Department,
Amos Makarau commended
the decision by regional meteorological
departments to establish
the association which
will be responsible for issuing
regional climate forecasts.
The association will also
look at issues of climate variability
and climate change in
southern Africa.
“Many climate models are
indicating that the region will
be drier but we are constantly
experiencing floods so this as association
will be of great value
to the study of climate change
and variability with important
implications for planning in the
region,” said Makarau.
This season's floods have
been attributed to the La Niña
phenomenon which is characterised
by a cooling of sea surface
temperatures in the equatorial
Pacific Ocean and has significant
impacts on rainfall patterns
in the whole world, causing very
heavy rains in southern Africa.
“Unlike the El Niño effect
which is more periodical, occurring
every four to five years,
La Niña events are less frequent,
irregular and when they
occur their impacts can be quite
significant” said Makarau.
The efforts by the region's meteorological
experts resonate
with efforts at the global level to
improve the ability to forecast
changes in climate and cope with
extreme weather patterns.


title:
SADC region on high
alert as more flooding
is forecast

Abstract:
SOUTHERN AFRICA has
been warned to brace for
more and heavier rains as the
peak of the rainfall season approaches.

body:
SOUTHERN AFRICA has
been warned to brace for
more and heavier rains as the
peak of the rainfall season approaches.
The rainfall season
in most of southern Africa
stretches from October to
March with a peak in late February.
A forecast for the period
January to March 2008 issued
by the SADC Drought
Monitoring Centre warns of
heavy rainfall across most
parts of mainland SADC and
Madagascar. Mauritius is expected
to receive normal to
above normal rainfall during
the same period


Abstract:
DELEGATES GATHERED at the UN World Meteorological Organisation
(WMO) meeting in Geneva in early February stressed
the importance for governments and scientists to improve climate
prediction capabilities to save lives and protect economies.

body:
DELEGATES GATHERED at the UN World Meteorological Organisation
(WMO) meeting in Geneva in early February stressed
the importance for governments and scientists to improve climate
prediction capabilities to save lives and protect economies.
The three-day meeting sought to prepare for the third World
Climate Conference, to be held next year in Switzerland. The previous
conferences have been major events:
 the first, in 1979, led to the creation of the UN Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change in 1988; and
 the second, in 1990, helped to generate momentum towards
the establishment of the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change in 1992.


The 2009 conference will focus on climate prediction and its
impact on decision-making.


title:
New impetus to regional infrastructure
development

Abstract:
SADC HAS committed to embark
on radical measures to
strengthen infrastructure development
and speed up the
process of implementing its regional
integration programme.

body:
SADC HAS committed to embark
on radical measures to
strengthen infrastructure development
and speed up the
process of implementing its regional
integration programme.
At their Summit last year in
Zambia, SADC leaders expressed
concern at the slow
pace of implementing goals
and targets to achieve regional
integration and eradicate
poverty.
Summit directed the SADC
Secretariat to work out the details
of a regional Master Plan
for Infrastructure Development
in close cooperation with Member
States.
The SADC Chairperson,
President Levy Mwanawasa of
Zambia said regional integration
is hampered by inadequate
infrastructure in the key sectors
of energy, transport, communication,
water and tourism.
The leaders noted that Member
States lack financial capacity
to rehabilitate regional infrastructure
and fund new projects,  despite the region being well
placed to receive long-term investment
necessary for infrastructure
development given
the peaceful environment.
The Summit called for financial
support from the private
sector and the international
community to complement regional
efforts.
Efficient and effective transboundary
infrastructure facilities
in all key service sectors including
assured energy security
is vital if southern Africa is to deepen regional integration and
improve access for the benefit of
its 240 million citizens, thereby
reducing poverty.


title:
DRC signs oil exploration
agreement with
Brazilian firm

Abstract:
A PRIVATE Brazilian company
has signed an agreement with
the DRC government to assess
the oil potential of the country's
central basin.

body:
A PRIVATE Brazilian company
has signed an agreement with
the DRC government to assess
the oil potential of the country's
central basin.
Under the agreement, High
Resolution Technology (HRT)
will subdivide the basin into exploitation
blocks, build up an oil
data base and create a petroleum
laboratory in the central basin.
The data will be used by the DRC
government to determine the size
of reserves in the region before
inviting explorers.
An oil-producing country
since 1975, DRC has three oil
basins: the coastal basin (west)
which ensures the present oil
production of the country of
around 25,000 barrels a day; the
central basin; and the Tanganyika
Graben (east).
Last year, DRC signed joint
exploitation agreements for the
oil in the coastal basin with Angola,
and in Lake Albert with
Uganda.


title:
SA to get 20 percent
more gas from
Mozambique

Abstract:
THE SOUTH African energy
giant, Sasol - the world's biggest
producer of commercial scale
synthetic fuel from coal - in
partnership with the South
African and Mozambican governments,
is to invest
US$600,000 to build a gas compression
station at Komatipoort
to increase the supply of gas
from Mozambique to South
Africa by 20 percent by the end
of 2009.

body:
THE SOUTH African energy
giant, Sasol - the world's biggest
producer of commercial scale
synthetic fuel from coal - in
partnership with the South
African and Mozambican governments,
is to invest
US$600,000 to build a gas compression
station at Komatipoort
to increase the supply of gas
from Mozambique to South
Africa by 20 percent by the end
of 2009.
The move is meant to boost
power energy supply into South
Africa in the wake of the current
electricity shortage. Construction
will start in the second half
of this year.
The additional gas will be
used by South Africa in the first
phase of a government electricity
expansion project to increase capacity
to 20 percent over the next
eight years, according to Sasol.
Sasol said 75 percent of the additional
synfuels capacity would
use environmentally more benign
natural gas as feedstock,
while the rest of
the feedstock for the
expansion would
come from fine-coal
reserves.


title:
Tanzania signs US$112 million deal with
World Bank for power supply

Abstract:
THE UNITED Republic of
Tanzania has signed loan and
grant agreements with the
World Bank worth US$111.5
million to support transmission
and distribution capacities
of the Tanzania Electricity
Supply Company (Tanesco) in
order to improve the quality
and efficiency provision of
electricity.

body:
THE UNITED Republic of
Tanzania has signed loan and
grant agreements with the
World Bank worth US$111.5
million to support transmission
and distribution capacities
of the Tanzania Electricity
Supply Company (Tanesco) in
order to improve the quality
and efficiency provision of
electricity.
The improvements will be
done by supporting the upgrading
of investments in the
power transmission and distribution
system, supporting grid
access expansion, and the provision
of technical advisory services to support commercial
and institutional capacity development
to improve the
power utility's revenue and reduce
losses.
The permanent secretary in
the Treasury, Gray Mgonja,
said the government believes
that Tanesco will be in a better
position to improve its finances
and implement its
strategic plans as a result of
this funding.
"We all know that energy is
a necessary infrastructure for
realisation of any economic development,"
said Mgonja. (APA)


title:
Mozambique, Malawi to build cross-border oil pipeline

Abstract:
MOZAMBIQUE HAS awarded
a contract to build an oil
pipeline between the city
of Beira, and Nsanje in
Malawi.

body:
MOZAMBIQUE HAS awarded
a contract to build an oil
pipeline between the city
of Beira, and Nsanje in
Malawi.
A brief statement from the
energy ministry says the contract
was signed with a Qatarbased
company in January. The
project, to be completed over 36
months, includes pipeline and
storage facilities to increase the country's oil reserves from
10 to 90 days supply.
"Fuel is currently transported
from Beira in tanker trucks, which
travel through Tanzania, and this
project aims to reduce the cost of
importing fuel to Malawi."
Malawi is also following with
interest the recently approved $5
billion Nacala refinery project,
which is expected to serve the regional
market.
Construction and operation
of this ambitious refinery will be
the responsibility of a US oil
company from Texas, together
with three South African and
one Mozambican investors.
The refinery will have a
production capacity of 100,000
barrels per day of several types
of fuel such as gasoline, lighting
oil, aircraft fuel, and others.


title:
Ownership of Cahora Bassa dam
“a second independence to
Mozambique”

Abstract:
IN A major development for the southern African region, the ownership of the Cahora
Bassa dam on the Zambezi river was finally transferred from the former colonial power,
Portugal, into Mozambican hands late last year at a ceremony witnessed by seven regional
leaders.

body:
IN A major development for the southern African region, the ownership of the Cahora
Bassa dam on the Zambezi river was finally transferred from the former colonial power,
Portugal, into Mozambican hands late last year at a ceremony witnessed by seven regional
leaders.

This transaction offers some economic independence as well as control of one of
the major sources of electricity in southern Africa.
Mozambican President Armando Guebuza said the transfer of ownership marks
“a second independence to Mozambique.”
Guebuza said that after all the debts have been repaid, Cahora Bassa would bring
the country benefits that would contribute significantly to the balance of payments,
reduction of the budget deficit, and improvement of the country's finances.
Obviously elated when he spoke at the handover ceremony in the village of
Songo, in the central province of Tete, Guebuza said, “Mozambicans have won an important
battle towards their well-being.”
The agreement means that Mozambique is now in charge of a major development
project located on its soil but over which it has had no control since independence
more than 30 years ago, due to contractual obligations with Portugal.


Cahora Bassa was constructed in the 1960s by a consortium of South African, Italian,
and German investors headed by the Anglo American Trust.
Since construction ended in 1974, during Mozambique's transition to independence,
Portugal has retained control of the dam. The ownership structure gave Portugal
82 percent of shares in the state-run Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB).
When HCB initiated operations in 1975, the new Mozambican government and its
Portuguese counterpart had an understanding that the shares would be transferred
as soon as the debt incurred in building the dam was paid off, then estimated at a period
of three years.
Previous attempts to transfer ownership have faltered on the complexity of the negotiations,
changes of government in Portugal, and the 16-year civil war in Mozambique
which resulted in serious damage to the transmission infrastructure when the former
rebel movement Renamo destroyed hundreds of pylons carrying power to South Africa.
This meant that HCB remained unprofitable as it could not sell power to its main
client, the South African utility company, Eskom. No sales meant further debts for
HCB and the Portuguese state ended up claiming that the company owed to its treasury
more than US$2 billion. Mozambique could not be held responsible for this debt
and hence the new arrangement.
Mozambique and Portugal eventually signed a Memorandum of Understanding
in 2005 to substantially alter the ownership structure of HCB, but implementation
was blocked when the European Union decided to investigate the deal to verify
whether EU rules had been complied with by Portugal.
The delay in implementing the MoU caused “public impatience, expressed by citizens,
by the media, by political parties and civil society organisations, as well as by
friends of Mozambique and its people,” Guebuza said.
He added that the negotiations had been complex but there was always a belief
that an agreement would not only strengthen relations between Mozambique and
Portugal, but that “its conclusion would be irreversible.”
Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates had said the agreement was “closing the
final chapter of the history of the past, and opening the first chapter of the history of the
future.”
Guebuza agreed, saying that the agreement marks a new era in relations and
“removes from our soil the final redoubt, the landmark of 500 years of foreign
domination.”
THE NEW arrangement gives Mozambique 85 percent of HCB as
the majority shareholder while Portugal will retain 15 percent.
The final cost was US$950 million, paid as compensation for the
post civil-war reconstruction and maintenance of the dam.
A sum of US$250 million was paid in 2006 with funds from
the state budget, while US$700 million was borrowed from the
Canadian consortium, Calyon, and the Portuguese bank, BPI,
with the loan to be repaid from future earnings.
Cahora Bassa contributes significantly to Mozambique's GDP,
earning about US$150 million per year from power sales.
The dam has an installed capacity of 2,075 MW and its economic
significance reaches far beyond the borders of Mozambique,
as one of the main suppliers to the Southern African
Power Pool.
HCB is currently selling 1,100 Mw of power to South Africa
and 450 MW to Zimbabwe, but the tariffs are very different due
to the historical agreements between Portugal and South Africa.
Other neighbouring countries are also seeking power imports
from Mozambique.


body:
Public holidays in SADC for the period 
 February - April 2008

1 February Abolition of Slavery Mauritius
3 February Heroes Day Mozambique
4 February National Armed Struggle Day Angola
16 February Maha Shivaratree Mauritius
3 March Martyrs Day Malawi
8 March International Women's Day Angola, Madagascar
11 March Moshoeshoe's Day Lesotho
12 March National Day Mauritius
12 March Youth Day Zambia
21 March Independence Day Namibia
21 March Human Rights Day South Africa
21 March Good Friday All except DRC, Madagascar,
Mauritius, Mozambique
21 March Maulid Day* Tanzania
22 March Public Holiday Botswana
22 March Holy Saturday Zambia
22 March Easter Saturday Zimbabwe
23 March Easter Day Namibia
24 March Easter Monday All except DRC, Madagascar,
Mauritius, Mozambique
24 March Family Day South Africa
29 March Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion Madagascar
4 April Peace and National Reconciliation Day Angola
7 April Women's Day Mozambique
7 April Sheik Abeid Amani Karume Day Tanzania
18 April Independence Day Zimbabwe
19 April King's Birthday Swaziland
25 April National Flag Day Swaziland
26 April Union Celebrations Tanzania
27 April Freedom Day South Africa

* Depends on sighting of the new moon


body:
EVENTS DIARY 2008
January/February


31- 2 Feb Ethiopia
Africa Union Summit

 10th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and
Government from the AU's 53 member countries. The summit
agenda focused on “Industrial Development of Africa.”



February 15-17, Algeria
African Energy Ministers Conference

The African Union Commission and the People's Democratic
Republic of Algeria will jointly organise and host the
Conference of African Ministers responsible for Energy in
Algiers. The official launch of the African Energy Commission
(AFREC) will be held during the meeting, given that the AFREC
has obtained the required signatures from AU member States for
its ratification.


27-29 Zambia
SADC Council of Ministers

Ministers from each of the member state sit in Council, usually
from the ministries of foreign affairs, economic development,
planning or finance. The council is responsible for supervising
and monitoring the functions and development of SADC, and
ensuring that policies are properly implemented, as well as
making recommendations to Summit


March 2008


3- 7 Ethiopia
Science with Africa Conference

Organised by United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
(UNECA) and Intelligence in Science (ISC), this meeting will
bring together African and international scientists seeking to
promote and enhance the role of science and technology in the
continent's development.

10-12 South Africa
International Conference on Integrated Water Resources
Management

The event is aimed at sharing the experiences and lessons of
developing countries on Integrated Water Resources
Management (IWRM). The conference provides an opportunity
for dialogue between developing and developed countries on
IWRM implementation that can shape new concepts or adapt
existing ones.

10-14 Ghana
2nd Global Summit on HIV and AIDS, Traditional Medicine and
Indigenous Knowledge

The symposium will serve as a forum to identify traditional
medicines and practices in the management of HIV and AIDS, and
to promote respect for traditional healing practices.

April 2008

18-20 Mauritius
SADC Consultative Conference on Poverty and Development

Under the theme “Regional Economic Integration: A Strategy for
Poverty Eradication Towards Sustainable Development” the
conference will adopt a multi-stakeholder approach to allow for
strategic dialogue that recognises the necessity of regional multidimensional
strategies and approaches to tackle poverty. The
two key outputs Member States expect from this conference are
the adoption of a SADC Regional Poverty Reduction Framework
(RPRF) and the establishment of a SADC Poverty Observatory.


May 2008

14-15 Mozambique
Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank

Mozambique will this year host the 43rd Annual Meeting of the
Board of Governors of the African Development Bank (ADB)
and the 34th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the
African Development Fund (ADF) under the theme “Fostering
shared growth: urbanization, inequality and poverty.” These
meetings are the most important gathering of finance and
development experts in Africa.


Abstract:
SADC STAKEHOLDERS meet in Mauritius in
April for high-level consultations on the poverty
and development challenges facing the region.

body:
SADC STAKEHOLDERS meet in Mauritius in
April for high-level consultations on the poverty
and development challenges facing the region.
The SADC International Consultative Conference
on Poverty and Development is a highlevel,
multi-stakeholder dialogue at ministerial
level and involving senior business and civil society
leaders from the region to engage in policy
dialogue, forge consensus, and review
progress of the SADC economic integration
agenda, with emphasis on poverty eradication.
The theme of the conference is “Regional
Economic Integration: A Strategy for Poverty
Eradication towards Sustainable Development”
and discussions will focus on strategies, commitments
and resources needed to accelerate
SADC's economic targets to facilitate implementation
of the UN Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs).
SADC Heads of State and Government will
be in attendance for the third day of the conference
to participate in a number of panel discussions,
together with selected Heads of State and
Government from other regions of Africa, Asia,
South America and Europe.
International Cooperating Partners (ICPs)
have been invited to participate, at senior government
level.
The conference will have two main parts.
The first part, on 18-19 April, will be the SADC
Consultative Conference, which is a policy dialogue
that takes place every two years between
SADC and ICPs. The second part is the SADC
International Conference on Poverty and Development,
at Summit level, and this will take
place on 20 April 2008.
Civil society groups will hold a pre-conference
workshop on 16-17 April in Mauritius.
The international conference is expected to
be a milestone towards poverty eradication in
the region, and to lay the foundations for a new
global partnership with SADC for this purpose.
The conference will also assess the challenges
toward achievement of the MDGs in the SADC
region.
Addressing journalists at
the launch ceremony of the
final preparatory phase in
Mauritius a month before the
conference, SADC Executive
Secretary Tomaz Salomão said
the event is being held against
the backdrop of serious poverty
challenges in the region.
“About 45 percent of the
population in the SADC region
lives in abject poverty,” Salomão
said. “This is reflected in
poor social indicators such as
high levels of malnutrition, illiteracy,
unemployment, underemployment,
declining life
expectancy and unsatisfactory
access to basic services and infrastructure
needed to sustain
basic human capacities.”
The scope of the conference
is in the context of the SADC
agenda as articulated in the
1992 SADC Treaty which says
that regional integration will
be pursued as the vehicle for
accelerating economic growth,
eradicating poverty and
achieving a sustainable pattern
of development.
The World Summit for Social
Development in 1995 defined
absolute poverty as “a
condition characterized by severe
deprivation of basic
human needs, including food,
safe drinking water, sanitation
facilities, health, shelter, education
and information.”
The conference in Mauritius
is expected to propose
and adopt a Regional Poverty
Reduction Framework (RPRF)
with SMART targets and clear
monitoring and evaluation
plans.
SMART targets are: Specific,
Measurable, Attainable, Realistic
and Time-bound.
The consultations toward
this framework
will focus on innovative
programmes and time-specific tasks and actions
to strengthen national poverty
reduction programmes and accelerate
progress toward
MDGs targets such as halving
by 2015 the number of people
who were living in absolute
poverty in 1990, as well as
other education, health, gender,
environment and infrastructure
goals.
The conference is expected
to launch the SADC Poverty
Observatory, which is intended
to keep the poverty eradication
agenda in the forefront of
SADC's programme of action.
SADC expects to receive
concrete pledges of technical
and financial support from the
international community, development
partners and the
private sector in line with international
development commitments.
One objective of the April
conference is to re-mobilize
the international community,
in particular the developed
countries, to meet their commitments
to increasing the
levels of development aid.
The process leading to the
conference has been wideranging
with a number of research
projects for key poverty
reduction challenges and
strategies, stakeholders consultations
at national level, a
regional technical workshop
and various policy meetings.
Sub-themes of conference are:
 trade including informal
cross-border trade;
 infrastructure support;
 education, skills and technologies;
strengthening the role of
agriculture, gender and development;
and
 the economic cost of HIV
and AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis
in the SADC region.


SADC is currently implementing
a long-term plan for the region called the Regional
Indicative Strategic Development
Plan (RISDP), which
identifies poverty as “one of
the major development challenge
facing the SADC region”
and assigns top priority
to poverty eradication, achieving
sustainable economic
growth, and deepening economic
integration.
The RISDP identifies regional
economic integration
as a key strategy for this objective
and sets targets for
deepening economic integration.
These targets include the
establishment of a SADC Free
Trade Area in 2008, and a
Customs Union by 2010,
Common Market by 2015,
Monetary Union by 2016 with
a regional currency by 2018.
Salomão said “it is expected
that the conference will
reaffirm SADC's regional integration
agenda as a necessary
strategy to complement
national poverty strategies
for fostering economic
growth and the achievement
of a sustainable development
pattern.”


title:
Revisiting the G8 Gleneagles commitments

Abstract:
THE G8 industrialized countries
reaffirmed, during their
2005 Summit at Gleneagles in
Scotland, their commitment
towards ensuring that the UN
Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) will be
achieved by 2015 as agreed.

body:
THE G8 industrialized countries
reaffirmed, during their
2005 Summit at Gleneagles in
Scotland, their commitment
towards ensuring that the UN
Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) will be
achieved by 2015 as agreed.
The MDGs include targets on
reducing poverty, combating
hunger and disease, among
others.
Progress towards meeting
these goals is expected to feature
in discussions at the
SADC International Conference
on Poverty and Development
in April 2008.
The commitments made by
the G8 at Gleneagles include:
 Doubling of aid by 2010 -
an extra US$50 billion
worldwide and US$25 billion
for Africa;
 Writing off immediately
the debts of 18 of the
world's poorest countries,
most of which are in
Africa. This was worth
US$40 billion in 2005, and
as much as US$55 billion
as more countries qualify;
 Commitment to end all export
subsidies, and to reduce
domestic subsidies,
which distort world trade;
 Developing countries
would “decide, plan and
sequence their economic
policies to fit with their
own development strategies,
for which they
should be accountable to
their people;”
 As close to universal access
to HIV and AIDS treatment
as possible by 2010;
 Funding for treatment and
nets to combat malaria,
saving the lives of over
600,000 children every year;
 Full funding to totally
eradicate Polio from the
world;
 All children to have access
to good quality, free and
compulsory education and
to basic health care by
2015, free where a country
chooses to provide it;
 Although the comprehensive
package agreed at Gleneagles
would have improved
progress for Africa
towards meeting the MDGs
- a lot of these promises
have remained on paper.


If the SADC region is to
meet the MDGs by 2015, then
much more needs to be done
to meet and implement these
commitments.


Abstract:
THE SADC Council of Ministers
is responsible for supervising
and monitoring the functions
and development of
SADC, and ensuring that policies
are properly implemented,
as well as making recommendations
for Summit. We highlight
the key issues discussed and decisions
taken during the 28-29
February Council held in Lusaka,
Zambia.

body:
THE SADC Council of Ministers
is responsible for supervising
and monitoring the functions
and development of
SADC, and ensuring that policies
are properly implemented,
as well as making recommendations
for Summit. We highlight
the key issues discussed and decisions
taken during the 28-29
February Council held in Lusaka,
Zambia.
COMESA-EAC-SADC Summit for
October

Some SADC Member States also
belong to the Common Market
for Eastern and Southern Africa
(COMESA) or the East African
Community (EAC).
In view of the challenges presented
by overlapping membership
of the three Regional Economic
Communities (RECs), the
SADC Summit in August 2007
approved the convening of a
Tripartite Summit to promote
dialogue on issues of common
interest.
Following that decision,
Council has approved a proposed
agenda for the joint
COMESA-EAC-SADC Summit
tentatively scheduled for October
2008 at a venue to be determined.
The proposed agenda
centres on:
 economic regional integration
including the status of
trade liberalization; and infrastructure
support for regional
integration and development;
and
 geo-political issues where
matters relating to cooperation
with the European
Union and overlapping
membership among RECs
will be considered.


EPA negotiations

Council noted that 31 December
2007 was the original deadline
for the conclusion of World
Trade Organisation (WTO) compatible
Economic Partnership
Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and African, Caribbean and
Pacific (ACP) regions that
would become effective on 1
January 2008. The WTO waiver
also expired on 31 December.
To prevent trade disruption
for goods destined to the European
market owing to the expiry
of the waiver, some Member
States - Botswana, Lesotho,
Mozambique, Namibia and
Swaziland -- negotiating under
the SADC umbrella initialled an
Interim Economic Partnership
Agreement (IEPA) with the EU.
Namibia initialled with reservations
on some of the provisions
of the agreement.
The other Member States are
negotiating under the East and
Southern Africa (ESA) group.
The interim agreement is expected
to come into force by 1
July 2008 once ratified by all the
relevant parties. To facilitate the
completion of all outstanding
work with respect to signature,
ratification and entry into force
of the IEPA, Council approved
the convening of a high-level
technical workshop not later
than 30 March 2008.
Energy situation

Having reviewed the status of
power generation capacity in
the region and considering the
report of the 20-21 February
2008 meeting of the Energy Ministerial
Task Force, Council mandated
the SADC Secretariat to liaise
with Member States in exploring
alternative low-cost
sources of energy to address the
current shortages.
Council also adopted emergency
short-term and long-term
measures to address current
power shortfalls.
Concerning the power sector
growth and sustainability,
Council noted that an enabling
environment is required to stimulate
private sector participation
and additional investment
in the sector, which calls for harmonized
national electricity policy
frameworks and accelerating
sector reforms as well as implementing
principles of cost-reflective
tariff structures.
These would allow utilities
and Independent Power Producers
to recover production
costs and facilitate re-capitalization
to sustain existing power
networks.
Expressing concern on the
shortage of finance for investment
in the power sector, Council
directed the Secretariat to explore
financing models that
would facilitate joint financing
and development of cross-border
power sector projects.
Council also directed the
SADC Ministers responsible for
Energy to review the pace of implementation
of projects and report
back on progress made.
(See pages 5-7 for update on Energy
issues).
Emergency situations
In the wake of persistent emergency
situations in the region,
Council directed the Secretariat
to operationalise the Disaster
Management Unit as approved
in 2001. This will enable the region
to consolidate disaster
management efforts.
Council noted the devastating
effects caused by extensive
flooding in DRC, Malawi,
Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland,
Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Angola and Namibia experienced
drought conditions in
some regions while Madagascar
experienced devastating cyclones.
DRC has also been affected
by an earthquake in the Kivu region
which caused fatalities and
damage to property.
Poverty and development
conference

Council expressed satisfaction
on preparations for the SADC International
Conference on Poverty
and Development set for 18-20
April in Mauritius under the theme “Regional Economic Integration:
A Strategy for Poverty
Eradication Towards Sustainable
Development.”
Council noted that in addition
to serving as a platform for
policy dialogue, the expected
outcome of the conference includes
a SADC Poverty Observatory
and a Regional Poverty
Reduction Framework. (See
cover story)
Upcoming elections

In view of a busy 2008/2009
election calendar, Council noted
that SADC remains committed
to ensuring that all the electoral
processes take place within the
auspices of the SADC Principles
and Guidelines Governing Democratic
Elections to sustain
peace, stability and security. Two
countries holding elections in
2008 are Zimbabwe (29 March)
and Angola (September) while
Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique,
Namibia and South Africa
will go to polls in 2009.
2008-2009 Budget

For the financial year 2008/2009,
a budget of US$49,984,279 was
approved. Member States will
contribute US$24,770,000 towards
the budget while International
Cooperating Partners
grants will amount to
US$24,534,279 while the remainder,
that is, US$680,000 will come
from other sources.
Job evaluation

Following a job evaluation over
the past year, Council approved
a new management structure for
the SADC Secretariat which includes
new positions of Deputy
Executive Secretary for Regional
Integration and a Director for
Budget and Finance. Implementation
will commence after completion
of the skills audit of incumbent
staff, and will be in
strict adherence to the quotabased
system and equitable gender
representation.


title:
Cross border trade is booming across southern Africa -  study

Abstract:
INFORMAL CROSS Border
Trade (ICBT) is a key livelihood
in southern Africa and many
people are making a decent living
from this type of business,
according to a recent survey
done in six SADC Member
States.

body:
INFORMAL CROSS Border
Trade (ICBT) is a key livelihood
in southern Africa and many
people are making a decent living
from this type of business,
according to a recent survey
done in six SADC Member
States.

ICBT, largely driven by
Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises
(SMMEs), is often
perceived as not only economically
non-viable but also as
socially undesirable.
The study reveals that
small-scale cross border trade,
commonly referred to as ICBT,
has become a profitable enterprise
for many citizens to the
extent that some have elected
to leave formal employment to
concentrate on their operations.
However, most policy-makers
at the national and regional
levels continue to ignore this
form of trade, argues the study,
and thus ICBT flows do not appear
in official trade statistics.
This leads to a situation where
official trade flows are understated.
Furthermore, ICBT is often
stigmatized and suffers from
stereotypes of smuggling and
lack of interest occasioned by
lack of data commonly due to
the secretive nature of smallscale
cross border trade.
Despite the lack of data,
some estimates have put ICBT
at between 30 to 40 percent of
intra-SADC trade, suggesting
that by ignoring informal
traders, SADC member states
could be overlooking a significant
proportion of their trade.
The survey was motivated
by the need to better understand
the dynamics of ICBT in
southern Africa and offer recommendations
to facilitate policy
responses and measures
that are pro-poor.
The study defined
informal cross border
trade as “consisting of
easily observable
goods that are traded across countries either by
avoiding customs points or
passing through the customs
points but with intentionally
undervalued declarations.”
It notes that informal traders
are a diverse group dominated
by women and generally comprising
the vulnerable, unemployed,
orphans, refugees, the
youth, school leavers and widows
among others.
Based on interviews carried
out in selected capital
cities and border points of six
SADC member states -
Malawi, Mozambique, South
Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and
Zimbabwe -- the study highlights
a number of challenges
faced by SMMEs as they conduct
cross border trade.
Among the obstacles is lack
of recognition of ICBT as a form
of business which often leads to
criminalisation of SMMEs by
authorities as well as harassment
and all forms of abuse.
Other challenges include
difficulties in obtaining passports
and visas; being refused
entry into countries that may
not require visas; excessive
customs charges; unwarranted
impounding of goods; unfair
treatment of traders as
smugglers and drug traffickers;
numerous check-points;
humiliating body searches;
limited access to formal credit schemes; lack of reliable transport;
weak associations; and a
generally unfavourable policy
and regulatory environment.
The study notes that that
while national and regional
policy initiatives, in particular
the SADC Trade Protocol, portray
intra-regional trade as an
important way of spurring
economic development and
poverty reduction, such policies
have largely ignored the
growing significance of small
scale cross border trade.
Thus one of the key recommendations
is the need for a regionally
recognised Common
Trader's Licence which would
address the problem of criminalization
of ICBTs in Member
States as well as work as an incentive
for traders to declare
their activities for official trade
records, among other positives.
The findings further revealed
that ICBT contributes
significantly to the well-being
of citizens and if deliberate
steps are taken to create an enabling
policy and regulatory
environment, the sector can
have a positive impact towards
the attainment of Millennium
Development Goals.
Not only does ICBT ensure
employment creation and income
generation especially for
people who are unable to find
formal employment due to various social and economic reasons;
but also plays an important
role in ensuring food security
by moving agricultural produce
and other foodstuffs
across borders.
Further, ICBT is a key
source of empowerment for
women who constitute the
majority. The findings showed
that on average over 70 percent
of informal cross border
traders are women who could
either be widowed, divorced
or who simply undertake this
business to supplement their
husbands' incomes.
However, ICBT has its own
undesirable implications primarily
because it can provide
fertile ground for a myriad of
illicit economic and social practices,
concludes the study.
These include drug trafficking;
smuggling for example of precious
minerals such as gold, diamonds,
etc; customs and tax
evasion thus depriving governments
of potential revenue; illegal
currency trading.
ICBT has also contributed
to violation of health, sanitary
and environmental requirements
through mishandling
by unqualified personnel,
as well as breakdown of
families often due to long absence
from home by either
spouse. The latter has resulted
in a high incidence of divorce often leading to single
parent families headed by
women.
The study thus urges
Member States to remain vigilant
and employ more innovative
ways of fighting illicit
trade practices so as to flush
out smugglers and drug traffickers
from well-meaning
ICBTs.
The study was done by the
Southern African Research
and Documentation Centre
(SARDC) with support from
the Southern Africa Trust and
was undertaken as part of the
process leading to the SADC
International Consultative
Conference on Poverty and
Development.


title:
Mozambique to further reduce poverty rates

Abstract:
THE MOZAMBICAN government
has adopted plans to
reduce the country's poverty
rate to 45 percent by 2009
through the creation of more
jobs in the agricultural sector.

body:
THE MOZAMBICAN government
has adopted plans to
reduce the country's poverty
rate to 45 percent by 2009
through the creation of more
jobs in the agricultural sector.
Currently some 54 percent
out of the estimated 20 million
population live below the
poverty line.
The drive to cut the poverty
rates through the establishment
of small and medium businesses
in agriculture is in line with
targets set in the country's 2005-2009 Poverty Reduction Strategy
(known simply as Parpa).
The emphasis on agriculture
is part of a nationwide
strategy to boost agricultural
production. This “Green Revolution”
will see the supply of
improved seeds and fertilizers
to peasant farmers, effective
and sustainable use of water
resources, as well as marketing
and commercialization.
Government hopes that
eventually peasant farmers
will be transformed into commercial
farmers. To this end,
there is a strategy in place to
simplify business procedures
and remove red tape that encumbers
the starting of a business.
Government is currently allocating
US$205 million to the
country's 128 districts in order
to empower and foster entrepreneurial
spirit.
Between 1999-2004 government
managed to reduce the
poverty rate by five percent, to
54 percent.


title:
Civil society prepare for dialogue
with SADC

Abstract:
REGIONAL CIVIL society
organisations are to meet in
Mauritius in a final preparatory
pre-conference workshop
ahead of the SADC conference
on poverty to thrash
out a common position.

body:
REGIONAL CIVIL society
organisations are to meet in
Mauritius in a final preparatory
pre-conference workshop
ahead of the SADC conference
on poverty to thrash
out a common position.
The two-day meeting on
16-17 April will afford the
civil society organisations an
opportunity to technically
prepare delegates who will
participate more effectively
as they articulate the broader
civil society mandate.
Ahead of the pre-conference
workshop and the conference
itself, the regional civil
society organisations held a
series of national and regional
meetings which resulted in
the production of three main
platform position papers:
 Civil Society Regional
Poverty and Development
Advocacy Platform: discussion
document;
<li<> Southern African Civil Society
Declaration on the
Eradication of Poverty for
the SADC Conference on
Poverty and Development;
and
 Southern African Civil Society
Poverty Advocacy
Programme of Action.


The pre-conference workshop
will allow civil society
groups to prepare and agree on
common positions so as to
present a collective approach
and strategies on the agenda
items for the discussion, as well
as developing a cohesive message
for the SADC Conference.
The conference held under
the theme “Regional Economic
Integration: A strategy for
poverty eradication and development”
is to discuss a
wide range of poverty and development
challenges facing
the region.
However, the overarching
objective of the SADC conference
is to improve and
strengthen the anti-poverty
commitments of the Regional
Indicative Strategic Development
Plan, and establish complementary
structures to support
regional poverty focus.
The civil society organisations
have been encouraged to
engage and sensitise their respective
governments and
delegates to Mauritius on
their positions.
Selected organisations have
been mandated to engage with
SADC Secretariat and the national
task team in Mauritius responsible
for the conference.


title:
Free Trade Area enters penultimate stage

Abstract:
WITH A few months remaining
before the inauguration of the
SADC Free Trade Area, final
preparations are being made for
this historic launch, expected to
coincide with the SADC Summit
in August 2008.

body:
WITH A few months remaining
before the inauguration of the
SADC Free Trade Area, final
preparations are being made for
this historic launch, expected to
coincide with the SADC Summit
in August 2008.
At the core of the Free Trade
Area (FTA) is economic liberalization
including the lifting of
tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
This process has been ongoing
since 2000 when implementation
of the SADC Trade Protocol came into force as the legal
framework within which the
FTA is to be achieved.
At the start of 2008, Member
States were effecting new tariff
regimes signalling the penultimate
stages of the gradual elimination
of customs barriers that
started eight years ago.
All SADC Member States are
applying the Trade Protocol, with
the exception of Angola and the
Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) who have asked for more
time before joining the FTA.
The protocol provides for
asymmetrical trade liberalization
based on the level of economic
development in each country.
The Member States have
agreed to liberalize 85 percent of
intra-SADC trade by 2008 while
liberalizing all sensitive products,
which constitute the remaining
15 percent, by 2012. These include
textiles and clothing, sugar,
dairy products, chemicals and
plastics, and motor vehicles.
In 2004 SADC undertook a
Mid Term Review which came
up with a number of recommendations
including ensuring that
tariff phase-downs are effected
on 1 January of each year as an
important step towards achieving
the FTA within the agreed
timelines.
However, not all Member
States are up-to-date in terms of
implementing their commitments,
and they are expected to
gear up if they are to be ready
by August.
South Africa, which takes
over the rotating SADC chair in
August, is preparing to host the
Summit.
The SADC Regional Indicative
Strategic Development
Plan envisages the creation of a
Free Trade Zone as from 2008,
followed by a Customs Union
in 2010, a Common Market by
2015 and a Monetary Union
with a single currency by
2018.


Abstract:
THE SADC Secretariat has announced
the death of Nokokure
Murangi, the Director of Trade,
Industry, Finance and Investment
(TIFI) who tragically
passed away in a car accident on
Good Friday, 21 March 2008.

body:
THE SADC Secretariat has announced
the death of Nokokure
Murangi, the Director of Trade,
Industry, Finance and Investment
(TIFI) who tragically
passed away in a car accident on
Good Friday, 21 March 2008.


He
was driving alone along the
Trans Kalahari Highway near
Lone Tree, about 150 km from
Ghantsi, Botswana. Murangi
was laid to rest in his home
country, Namibia. Murangi
joined the SADC Secretariat in
2005, having worked in the Ministry
of Industry and Trade, and
he was actively directing the process toward launch of the
SADC Free Trade Area, expected
in August this year. May his
soul rest in peace and his work
be honoured through effective
implementation of the FTA.


title:
Zambia eyes rail link to boost trade with Angola

Abstract:
ZAMBIA PLANS to construct a
railway line from its mineralrich
Copperbelt province to the
border with Angola to link up
with the Benguela railway line.

body:
ZAMBIA PLANS to construct a
railway line from its mineralrich
Copperbelt province to the
border with Angola to link up
with the Benguela railway line.

Zambian President and current
SADC Chairperson, Levy
Mwanawasa, said he is determined
to see the fruition of the
construction of a railway line
from Chingola on the Copperbelt
to Lumwana copper mine
and then to Angola before his
tenure of office comes to an end
in 2011.
Zambian officials say the first
phase of the railway link to Angola
will involve the construction
of 245 km of railway between the
new mining town of Solwezi
and Chingola in the northwestern
region.
The privately owned
Northwest Railways
said in 2007 it had secured
US$250 million in financing from investors in South
Africa, Britain and the United
States for the rail project.
Mwanawasa said the railway line
would enhance trade between
the two nations, the Democratic
Republic of Congo and other
countries in southern Africa.
He said Zambia is also keen
to construct a road network
from its northwestern town of  Kalabo to Angola to boost trade.
“Zambia has since embarked on
an ambitious programme to
construct rail and road infrastructure
linking Zambia with
Angola in a bid to promote
trade between the two nations
and beyond,” he said during a
visit to Angola in March.
The Benguela line used to
run through Angola to the Zambian
border, but was badly damaged
during the decades-long
civil war in the oil-rich nation.
Noting that Angola offered the
closest route to the sea for landlocked
Zambia, Mwanawaa said
resuscitation of the railway link
between the two countries
would significantly slash transaction
costs for Zambian exporters.
(ZANIS).


Abstract:
SADC COUNCIL of Ministers
has adopted measures
to address power
shortfalls prevailing in the
region. Council noted that
during this period, short
term projects costing US$5
billion will provide additional
power amounting to
6,550 MW. Long term projects
with a capacity of
44,000MW will be implemented
between 2008-2025
at a cost of US$41.5 billion.

body:
SADC COUNCIL of Ministers
has adopted measures
to address power
shortfalls prevailing in the
region. Council noted that
during this period, short
term projects costing US$5
billion will provide additional
power amounting to
6,550 MW. Long term projects
with a capacity of
44,000MW will be implemented
between 2008-2025
at a cost of US$41.5 billion.


Abstract:
THERE IS a growing realisation in
the region that the current energy
shortfalls will be around for some
time, prompting Member States to
adopt conservation programmes
to reduce electricity demand.

body:
THERE IS a growing realisation in
the region that the current energy
shortfalls will be around for some
time, prompting Member States to
adopt conservation programmes
to reduce electricity demand.
SADC Council of Ministers
has approved a regional power
conservation programme to facilitate
Demand Side Management
(DSM), following recommendations
by a ministerial task force on
energy.
The SADC Energy Ministerial
Task Force (EMTF) on Implementation
of Power Sector Programme
decided to formulate
and implement a SADC programme
on power conservation
and develop a SADC policy to ensure
efficient use of electrical energy.
They agreed, at an emergency
meeting held in Botswana in February,
that a power conservation
programme must be prepared by
June 2008.
The SADC road map includes
the development of minimum energy
efficiency standard for all
new electrical connections, implementation
of renewable energy
technologies, and the phasing out
of incandescent light bulbs in preference for the Compact Fluorescent
Lights (CFLs).
CFLs provide the same brightness
as incandescent lights but
use less than half the power.
The programme also entails
the “optimization of energy as a
matter of necessity” with measures
that include a 10-percent reduction
in consumption through
rationing, power-buy-back
arrangements and penalties.
The ministers welcomed
South Africa's Eskom commitment
to continue supplying
power to other SADC Member
States, albeit 10 percent less than
previously agreed in line with its
own programme of reducing supply
to consumers by the same
margin.
SADC Council noted that the
measures had “already started
paying dividends where they
have been implemented in the region.”
In most South African cities,
the government and local authorities
have discovered that some of
the biggest energy-saving opportunities
exist when buildings are
being constructed or renovated.
One such example was the
Cape Town Inn, which was renovated
with the assistance of
Eskom. The renovations included
replacing existing distribution
and metering boards, installing
new high-tech water heating system,
replacing old lights with
new energy saving ones. As a result
of these changes, the energy
saving costs per room were reduced
by half.
Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,
Namibia, South Africa,
Zambia and Zimbabwe are involved
in a Biomass Energy Conservation
(BEC) programme, financed
by the German Agency
for Technical Co-operation.
The BEC programme, which
encourages the use of renewable
sources of energy in local communities
has shown that with a comprehensive
package of solutions
and use of energy-efficient devices,
it is feasible to achieve multiple,
long-lasting benefits at regional
level.
Other countries have turned to
solar energy, which is in abundance
in the region. Faced with
massive shortages of power, South
Africa is building a 100MW power
plant in Johannesburg, entirely
powered by the sun to add to its
power grid within the next year.
Namibia is subsidising the installation
of solar systems for domestic
use and there are plans to
roll out a solar heating programme
for all government houses
by 2009.
Besides being convenient for
rural populations who cannot afford
to pay monthly bills, solarpowered
electricity is cheaper in
the long term and can ease pressure
on the SADC region's overstretched
energy requirements.
DSM started in Brazil in the
late 1970s when the country was
faced with a critical power shortage,
and government implemented
legislation that encouraged
the efficient use of energy. The
most successful initiatives were
the minimum efficiency standards
for appliances and industrial
motors.
In all their efforts however, information
to the consumer was
pivotal in achieving success.
Thus there is need for all countries
in the SADC region to roll
out efficient electricity communication
campaigns nationwide, including
distribution of CFLs, as
these campaigns can be successful
if customers are made part of
the solution, not the problem.


title:
SADC Road Map to address power shortages

Abstract:
SADC HAS adopted a road map to
accelerate the region's recovery from
the current power shortages, stressing
the need for clear milestones and
timeframes to measure implementation.

body:
SADC HAS adopted a road map to
accelerate the region's recovery from
the current power shortages, stressing
the need for clear milestones and
timeframes to measure implementation.
Recognizing that the region is in
a power emergency situation, SADC
decided to formulate and implement
a SADC programme on power conservation
and to develop a SADC
policy to ensure efficient use of electrical
energy. The SADC Energy Ministerial
Task Force (EMTF) on Implementation
of Power Sector Programmes,
which convened an emergency
meeting in Gaborone,
Botswana in February, adopted supply
and demand management initiatives,
as well as the effective use of interconnectors.
The recommendations of the
SADC Energy Ministerial Task
Force (EMTF) on Implementation of Power Sector Programme were approved
by full Council of Ministers
which met later in February in Lusaka,
Zambia. Key results of the Task
Force meeting are as follows. It was
agreed that:
 SADC is to formulate and implement
a regional programme on
power conservation and to develop
a SADC policy to ensure efficient
use of electrical energy.
 SADC and the Southern African
Power Pool (SAPP) would assume
direct responsibility for coordinating
and monitoring project
implementation, and that
Member States should make full
use of project preparation facilities
to package projects.
 Astudy will be commissioned to
recommend a financing model
for cross-border projects, and to
follow up on international pledges made to finance regional
projects under the New Partnership
for Africa's Development
(NEPAD).
 There is need to accelerate private
sector participation and increase
investment in the power sector,
and to take action toward achieving
an enabling environment.


Council noted the short-term
measures instituted by Members
States and SAPP to overcome the diminished
surplus of installed capacity
and the expected impact of these
measures, including the recovery
plan developed by the South African
utility, Eskom, and the power capacity
availed by Mozambique for export
to the rest of the region.
It was agreed that the region
should work towards the harmonization
of national electricity policy
frameworks, and to accelerate the pace of electricity supply industry
reforms to improve governance and
performance.
Council agreed to develop and
implement the necessary national
policies and promulgate legislation to
ensure the promotion of power conservation
practices, and to provide financial
and fiscal incentives to the
utilities for demand-side management.
The recapitalization of power utilities
would be achieved through the
adoption and implementation of
cost-reflective tariffs to allow the utilities
and Independent Power Producers
to recover production costs.
The EMTF had noted that, in addition
to issues of supply and demand,
the power sector is facing additional
challenges in financing of
power projects and institutional
arrangements for implementation.


Abstract:
The SADC Energy Ministerial Task Force (EMTF) on Implementation
of Power Sector Programmes convened an emergency meeting
at Boipuso Hall in Gaborone, Botswana on the 21st February2008. In the absence of the Chairperson of SADC EMTF, theMinister of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Namibia, Mr.
Erikki Nghimtina, the meeting was Chaired by Honourable
Michael Nyambuya, Minister of Energy and Power Development
of the Republic of Zimbabwe and opened by Honourable P. H.
K. Kedikilwe, Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources,
Botswana. The Executive Secretary of SADC, H.E. Dr. Tomaz Salomao
also gave brief remarks on the status of the power supply
situation in the SADC region.

body:
SADC ENERGY MINISTERIAL TASK FORCE
ON IMPLEMENTATION OF POWER SECTOR PROJECTS
GABORONE, BOTSWANA, 21 FEBRUARY 2008
The SADC Energy Ministerial Task Force (EMTF) on Implementation
of Power Sector Programmes convened an emergency meeting
at Boipuso Hall in Gaborone, Botswana on the 21st February2008. In the absence of the Chairperson of SADC EMTF, theMinister of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Namibia, Mr.
Erikki Nghimtina, the meeting was Chaired by Honourable
Michael Nyambuya, Minister of Energy and Power Development
of the Republic of Zimbabwe and opened by Honourable P. H.
K. Kedikilwe, Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources,
Botswana. The Executive Secretary of SADC, H.E. Dr. Tomaz Salomao
also gave brief remarks on the status of the power supply
situation in the SADC region.
The Ministerial Task Force meeting was preceded by preparatory
meetings of the members of the Southern African Power
Pool (SAPP), the Regional Electricity Regulators Association
(RERA) and other parties on 19th February 2008 and Senior Energy
Officials on 20th February 2008.
The Ministers registered their recognition of the high electrici-ty demand which has outstripped supply due to, among otherfactors, the positive economic growth which averaged about
5% in most of the SADC Member States and rural electrification
projects in most Member States. 
The Ministers noted the current status of power supply within
the region, which has an installed capacity of 54,742 MW of
which only 46,391 MW is available. Although new generationamounting to 1,810 MW has been commissioned in the regionin 2007, the reserve margin is still in deficit against a required
reserve margin of 10.2%. The situation will continue until
2013 when all planned generation projects are commissioned.
The Ministers reviewed the status of implementation of SAPPgeneration, transmission and interconnector projects which
are categorized as rehabilitation and related infrastructure,
short term, medium term and long term projects. These proj-ects require a total of US$46.4 billion. In addition to theseprojects, the Ministers noted progress made on the Western
Corridor Project (WESTCOR).
The Ministers took cognizance of the proposed short-term meas-ures being instituted by Member States and SAPP to overcomethe diminished surplus installed capacity and the expected im-pact of these measures on the power supply situation. These
measures include respective utilities' short term projects,
ESKOM's Recovery plan and power capacity being availed by
Mozambique for export to the rest of the region. The Task Force
noted that ESKOM through the Recovery Plan has achieved a
10% load reduction in South Africa, a reduction of power supplied
through bilateral contracts by 10% and a saving of 600 MW
in ESKOM demand specifically in the Western Cape. In Mozam-bique the Ministers noted that HCB has recently concluded a re-habilitation project on all units, resulting in the availability of the
units increased to 90%, which has released 300MW to be usedon non-firm basis to alleviate the crisis that the region is facing.
Following the understanding that the SADC region is undergo-ing a power emergency situation, the Ministerial Task Force
adopted a road map to accelerate the region's recovery from
this power shortage through ensuring the effective connectivity
of the interconnectors, as well as Supply Side and Demand Side Management initiatives as follows:
 A Power Conservation Programme (PCP) be formulated and
implemented as a SADC programme
 a SADC policy be developed to ensure efficient use of electrical
energy;
 development of a minimum energy efficiency standard for
all new electrical connections
 phasing out of incandescent light bulbs in preference to
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
 direct the recapitalization of power utilities
 implementation of renewable energy technologies


In addition to the initiatives above, the Ministerial Task Force
noted that an enabling environment is indispensable to accelerate
private sector participation and additional investment in
the power sector. In order to achieve an enabling environment
the SAPP will
 work towards the harmonization of national electricity policy
frameworks;
 accelerate the pace of Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) reforms
to improve governance and performance;
 develop and implement the necessary national policies and
promulgate legislation that will ensure:
 promotion of power conservation practices;
 provide financial and fiscal incentives to the Utilities
for Demand-Side Management (DSM)


 adopt and implement principles of cost reflective tariffs to
allow utilities and Independent Power Producers (IPP) to recover
production costs and allow for recapitalization.


The Ministerial Task Force noted that in addition to the supply
side and demand side issues, the power sector is facing additional
challenges in financing of power projects and institutional
arrangements for implementation. The Ministers therefore
agreed on the following actions:
 Commission a study to recommend a financing model
for cross border projects
 SADC/SAPP to assume a direct responsibility for
coordinating and monitoring project implementation
 Member States should make full use of project
preparation facilities to package projects
 SADC should follow up on international pledges made
to finance NEPAD regional projects


The Ministerial Task Force considered and approved structures
for implementing projects, which include SADC Ministers responsible
for Energy with ultimate oversight on the Power Sector
Projects Road Map, the Energy Ministerial Task Force, to review
the pace of implementation of projects; the SADC Secretariat
Project Coordination Unit, to be responsible for strategic
coordination of implementation of infrastructure projects,
which includes, project development, packaging, monitoring
and reporting process in conjunction with the Member States,
SAPP, RERA and Key International Partners. Project Teams and
Project Steering Committees will undertake day to day implementation
and review of specific projects.
In addition to the above structures, the Ministerial Task Force
agreed to strengthen SAPP to ensure that it has adequate capacity
to facilitate the implementation of the Roadmap; and
RERA to undertake capacity building within the regulatory and
institutional framework to ensure that an enabling environment
continues to obtain. In addition SAPP and RERA was given
new mandate to champion regional power projects in conjunction
with Member States.
The Ministerial Task Force underscored the importance of the proposed
measures as a response to address the emergency situation.
They impressed upon the SADC Secretariat, SAPP and
RERA, supported by the utilities and other cooperating partners,
the need to have clear milestones and timeframes for the proposed measures so that their status of implementation is meas-urable. In their reaffirmation for the support for the proposedmeasures the Task Force took note of the report of the SADC Sec-retariat on the Madagascar Power Sector and that the proposedsolutions for Madagascar are very similar to those made for therest of the SADC Member States.
The Task Force noted with appreciation the reassurance by South
Africa that she will honour her contractual obligations with regard
to the power supply to the rest of the region.
In conclusion and following the offer by RSA to host the next
Energy Ministerial Task Force Meeting at a date to be deter-mined during the SADC Energy Ministers meeting to be held30th April 2008 in DRC, the Ministerial Task Force conveyed
their appreciation to the People and Government of Botswana
for the conducive environment which led to the successfuloutcome of the meeting, the SADC Secretariat and the Min-istry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources of Botswana for
the preparations they made for the meeting and all the stake-holders for their continued support.
Boipuso Hall, Gaborone, 21 February 2008


title:
SAPP grid operating as three
separate islands

Abstract:
THE SOUTHERN African Power Pool (SAPP) is working
round the clock to reintegrate the regional grid which is currently
working as three separate “islands” owing to technical
faults on the main interconnectors.

body:
THE SOUTHERN African Power Pool (SAPP) is working
round the clock to reintegrate the regional grid which is currently
working as three separate “islands” owing to technical
faults on the main interconnectors.
Presenting a status report on the region's power grid to
the SADC energy ministerial task force in February, the
SAPP Co-ordination Centre Manager, Lawrence Musaba,
said a total of 14 disturbances were recorded on the SAPP
grid in the period January to February 2008.
The disturbances occurred on 19-21 January and 2-3 February,
leaving Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana in darkness.
This resulted in the SAPP grid operating as three separate
“islands.” The problem was further aggravated by the fact that
govenor settings at Kariba North Bank (KNB) and Kariba
South Bank (KSB) were set differently, 55Hz for ZESAand
60Hzfor ZESCOand as a result, ZESA was experiencingtrippings
on govenorover-speeding while ZESCOwas experiencing
trippingson over-frequency.
The “islands” are:
 Zambia-Democratic Republic of Congo (ZESCO and
SNEL)
 Zimbabwe-Mozambique (ZESA and EDM/HCB)
 South Africa (Eskom, BPC, EDM, LEC, SEB and Nam-
Power)


This situation deprived some Member States of the electricity
purchased from other countries that should be transmitted
via the regional grid.
SAPP pointed out that it is “studying the problem to come
up with a technical solution” with a view to “bringing back the
interconnected network as quickly and as safely as possible.”
SAPP is in talks with Eskom, ZESCO and ZESA so that the
individual utilities can give updates on progress.
Musaba said SAPP was given 60 days by the SADC Ministerial
Task Force on Energy to resolve this issue and to restore
the interconnected grid.


Abstract:
CURRENT POWER shortages
facing the SADC region
could pose a serious threat to
the region's journey towards
achieving its Millennium Development
Goal (MDG) commitments,
according to the
Southern Africa Trust.

body:
CURRENT POWER shortages
facing the SADC region
could pose a serious threat to
the region's journey towards
achieving its Millennium Development
Goal (MDG) commitments,
according to the
Southern Africa Trust.
Power outages in countries
such as Zimbabwe,
Zambia and South Africa
have affected the way people
live and conduct business.
The Trust noted that “the
provision of reliable and
sustainable energy at the lowest cost for economic
and social development can
be a major contributor to the
eradication of poverty in the
southern Africa region.”
It further noted that the
provision of electricity to
key public facilities such as
clinics and schools was essential
to meeting some of
the region's MDG goals.
SADC countries have
been struggling to meet demand
for electricity caused
by a rapidly expanding regional
economy.
The Southern African
Power Pool (SAPP) advised
SADC Member States as
early as 1999 that demand
for power in southern Africa
was increasing at the rate of
about three percent per
annum due to increased economic
activities and up-scaling
of electrification programmes
while investment
into both power generation
and transmission infrastructure
remained stagnant.
SAPP said then that unless
immediate action was
taken, blackouts could be
expected in the region in
2007/8.
Regional integration advisor
at SAT, Themba Mhlongo,
said the objective of providing
affordable energy services
to rural communities
through increased access to
modern energy technologies
would remain a distant hope
unless more was done to prioritise
investments in electricity
generation and transmission
capacity.
Although SADC priorities
in the energy sector increased
access to modern energy especially
in rural communities,
biomass such as fuelwood
and cow dung are still
the primary sources for up to
80 percent of total energy
consumption for families and
informal businesses in most
southern African countries.
The Southern Africa Trust
is an independent, regional,
non-profit agency established
to support deeper and wider
engagement in policy dialogue
to overcome poverty in
southern Africa.


title:
Construction of Inga III dam to
start in 2009

Abstract:
CONSTRUCTION OF the
Inga Phase Three hydropower
plant in the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) is expected
to start in 2009 at a
total cost of US$3.6 billion.

body:
CONSTRUCTION OF the
Inga Phase Three hydropower
plant in the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) is expected
to start in 2009 at a
total cost of US$3.6 billion.
A pre-feasibility study by a
Canadian firm said the construction
work will be carried
out in two phases.
The first phase runs from
2009 to 2013 followed by a
second phase from 2014 to
2021.
The launch of the giant
Inga Falls electricity project is
one of several SADC initiatives
planned to ensure sustainable
energy supply in a region
that has faced persistent
power shortages since last
year.
The Western Power Corridor
(Westcor) project, drawing
electricity from Inga, is expected
to provide 35,000 MW
of power, initially targeted at
Angola, Botswana, DRC,
Namibia and South Africa.
The Inga Falls project is believed
to be the largest single
hydropower initiative in the
world and, when operating at
full capacity, is expected to
surpass Mozambique's Cahora
Bassa.
Cahora Bassa is one of
Africa's biggest hydroelectric
stations, producing an estimated
2,500 MW.
DRC has a vast hydropower
potential of more
than 100,000 MW. About
44,000 MW of that is found at
the Inga Falls and over 56,000
MW at other sites scattered
across the country.
An earlier pre-feasibility
study carried out by the DRC
state-run electricity company,
SNEL, showed that the first
phase of the Inga Phase Three
project would meet the energy
needs of southern, north,
and west Africa.


title:
Botswana courts SADC partners in
oil pipeline project

Abstract:
BOTSWANA IS courting
coastal SADC countries as it
searches for cost-effective
ways of transporting fuel
into the country.

body:
BOTSWANA IS courting
coastal SADC countries as it
searches for cost-effective
ways of transporting fuel
into the country.
One of the options being
pursued is the construction
of a giant underground oil
pipeline linking the landlocked
country to the sea.
The country's Ministry
of Minerals, Energy and
Water Resources has been
holding consultations with
Mozambique, South Africa
and Namibia to establish
where to build the
pipeline.
Acting Department of Energy
Affairs director, Buti
Mogotsi, said the plan to
construct the pipeline
should be finalised by June.
Botswana relies on fuel
from neighbouring South
Africa and consumes 800
million litres a year from
South African-based refineries
owned by multinational
oil companies.
Under the current
arrangement, fuel destined
for Botswana is ferried by
trucks and trains, a mode of
transport that has proved
uneconomical and unsafe.


Abstract:
COMMISSIONING OF
Malawi's first uranium mine
is expected to take place at
the end of the year, with actual
production of the mineral
set for early 2009.

body:
COMMISSIONING OF
Malawi's first uranium mine
is expected to take place at
the end of the year, with actual
production of the mineral
set for early 2009.
The Kayelekera mine will
be the country's first uranium-
producing mine and will
have a capacity of 3.3-million
pounds of uranium oxide annually,
according to the Australian
mining company that
owns an 85 percent stake in
Kayelekera and also has interests
in uranium mining in
Namibia. The remainder of
the shareholding is owned by
the Malawi government.
Malawi joins other SADC
Member States that have indicated
plans to develop
uranium mining projects for
electricity generation. These
include Namibia, Botswana
and Zimbabwe.
South Africa is the only
SADC country that is already
using uranium to produce
electricity at its Koeberg
power station in Cape
Town.


title:
Stunning turnaround for Mauritian textile sector

Abstract:
THE GOOD times are rolling
again for Mauritius' clothing
and textile sector after more
than two years of languishing in
the doldrums, thanks to self-belief
and an undying desire to see
the industry succeed.

body:
THE GOOD times are rolling
again for Mauritius' clothing
and textile sector after more
than two years of languishing in
the doldrums, thanks to self-belief
and an undying desire to see
the industry succeed.
A never-say-die attitude has
seen the Mauritians quickly regrouping
after suffering a
major setback in 2006 following
the removal of preferential
trade benefits with the European
Union (EU).
For about 40 years, Mauritius
had benefited from non-reciprocal
trade preferences
under successive conventions
signed with European states.
But in the current era of liberalized
trade the SADC Member
State suddenly found these
agreements falling away, leaving
the island with no choice but to
consolidate its economic pillars -
sugar, textiles and clothing,
tourism and services - while developing
new ones such as
seafood to survive in this globalized
world.
The country had almost lost
hope for its textile and clothing
industry after the closure of
several big factories over the
past few years. The sector
dropped to a negative growth
rate of minus 12.5 percent in
2006 but has since been revamped
to manufacture upmarket
goods.
The amazing turnaround in
the industry's fortunes happened
relatively fast with a
dramatic jump in its growth
rate to eight percent in 2007.
Employing 67,000 people,
the sector generated some
US$1.45 billion last year compared
to US$1.25 billion in
2006. The target is US$1.65 billion
for 2008.
Plenty of jobs are now available
in the textiles and clothing
sector but there are not enough
local takers. The island is importing
foreign labour from
India, China and Bangladesh
which now numbers more than
33,000.
The textile and clothing industry
works on small orders
of between 10,000 and 20,000
items delivered with short turnaround times of less than
two weeks.
Some large enterprises have
opened warehouses in Europe
and South Africa where they
stock their products. As soon as
an order is received, the goods
are shipped directly from there.
Apart from traditional markets,
the industry is also seeking
to conquer emerging markets
in India and Pakistan,
thanks to preferential trade
agreements with these two
countries. Foreign textile enterprises
are again showing a
keen interest in Mauritius.
Chinese company, Tianli, invested
US$600 million in a new
project at Riche-Terre near the
capital where a new industrial
park will accommodate highend,
value-adding industries.
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam
has indicated that this
development project will provide
employment to 42,000
people in five years, starting
from April 2009.
Some 40 Chinese factories
will operate from the park, specializing
in activities ranging
from clothing manufacturing to hardware assembly and food
processing and generating an
income of about US$200 million.


title:
Tanzania signs power
supply agreement with
AfDB

Abstract:
THE UNITED Republic of Tanzania
has signed a US$48 million
loan and grant agreement with
the African Development Bank
(AfDB) to finance the country's
electricity expansion programme.

body:
THE UNITED Republic of Tanzania
has signed a US$48 million
loan and grant agreement with
the African Development Bank
(AfDB) to finance the country's
electricity expansion programme.
The funds will be used
to secure, improve and extend
sustainable supply of power to
businesses and households in
rural towns and suburban areas
in Mwanza, Shinyanga, Arusha
and Dar es Salaam regions.
The United Republic of Tanzania
boasts ample power-generating
sources but so far about
90 percent of its rural population
and 30 percent of its urban residents
do not have access to reliable
and affordable electricity.


title:
South Africa to purchase more
power from Mozambique

Abstract:
THE STATE-OWNED South
African power utility Eskom is
negotiating to buy more electricity
from Mozambique's Cahora
Bassa Dam power station
in a bid to ease an energy shortage
threatening Africa's largest
economy. Chief Executive Jacob
Maroga said that Eskom, the
sole national electricity supplier
in South Africa, is negotiating to
purchase an additional 250
megawatts per day.

body:
THE STATE-OWNED South
African power utility Eskom is
negotiating to buy more electricity
from Mozambique's Cahora
Bassa Dam power station
in a bid to ease an energy shortage
threatening Africa's largest
economy. Chief Executive Jacob
Maroga said that Eskom, the
sole national electricity supplier
in South Africa, is negotiating to
purchase an additional 250
megawatts per day.
Mozambique currently provides
1,100 MW of power to
Eskom, which has been forced
to cut power across South Africa
since the beginning of the year.
The resulting blackouts caused
large mines to shut down for
five days and raised fears of an
economic slowdown.


title:
South African professor advances solar technology

Abstract:
THERE IS light at the end of
the tunnel - but it is not being
generated by the national electricity
supplier Eskom, rather
by revolutionary solar-powered
technology developed by
University of Johannesburg
professor, Vivian Alberts.

body:
THERE IS light at the end of
the tunnel - but it is not being
generated by the national electricity
supplier Eskom, rather
by revolutionary solar-powered
technology developed by
University of Johannesburg
professor, Vivian Alberts.
Alberts has spent the past 13
years developing highly advanced
photovoltaic, or thinfilm,
solar panels that could be
the solution to South Africa -
and the region's - power shortages.
The panels are already
being constructed by a technology
company in Germany,
and will go on sale in Europe
this year, according to Alberts.
Due to the construction of the  cells, comparatively high
yields can be obtained even
under partially shaded or overcast
conditions.
Alberts, said plans to make
the photovoltaic panels commercially
available in South
Africa and the rest of the region
are at an advanced stage and
there would be a major announcement
at the end of April.
Based on improved temperature
co-efficients - which
means lower performance losses
at high temperatures -- thinfilm
modules were especially
suited to temperatures over
25°C, which was the case in
South Africa and the rest of the
region.


title:
Mozambique to build container terminal in Nacala

Abstract:
MOZAMBIQUE PLANS to
build an additional container
terminal in Nacala to ease congestion
at the existing facility. It
is expected that the addition of
the new terminal and a general
improvement in the cargo-handling
equipment will be a huge
step forward in Nacala's quest to
become a “mini-hub port” for a
number of feeder services to the
East African coast and Indian
Ocean ports.

body:
MOZAMBIQUE PLANS to
build an additional container
terminal in Nacala to ease congestion
at the existing facility. It
is expected that the addition of
the new terminal and a general
improvement in the cargo-handling
equipment will be a huge
step forward in Nacala's quest to
become a “mini-hub port” for a
number of feeder services to the
East African coast and Indian
Ocean ports.
Nacala international harbour
serves the bulk of Mozambique's
shipments in the northern
parts of the country attracting
users, not only from Malawi,
but also from Zambia and the
United Republic of Tanzania in
serving as an alternative port
alongside Dar es Salaam and
Mombasa in Kenya.


title:
New President for Botswana
Botswana's Khama: “Democracy,
Development, Dignity and Discipline”

Abstract:
WHILE THE international
spotlight has focused on Zimbabwe,
its neighbours in
Botswana quietly changed
their President almost unnoticed,
in a planned transition
through an election in Parliament.

body:
WHILE THE international
spotlight has focused on Zimbabwe,
its neighbours in
Botswana quietly changed
their President almost unnoticed,
in a planned transition
through an election in Parliament.
Festus Mogae, who has been
president for the past 10 years,
resigned on 31 March, handing
over to the former vice-president,
Ian Khama, who is the
eldest son of the late founding
President and father of the nation,
Seretse Khama.
Ian Khama has been vicepresident
for the past decade,
and chairperson of the ruling
Botswana Democratic Party
(BDP) since 2003. He is a graduate
of Sandhurst, the officer
training college in Britain, and
was previously commander of
the Botswana Defence Force
(BDF).
Khama, 55, who took over
from Mogae, 69, on 1 April,
said in his inaugural address
that there would be no policy
change but his roadmap would
be “underpinned and characterized
by the principles of
Democracy, Development, Dignity
and Discipline.”
He moved quickly to allay
any fears of change, saying “a
change of leadership does not
mean radical changes in the
way we have been setting out
our objectives as agreed upon
by the ruling party and government
for this nation.
“Our party has a manifesto
that I signed on to and the government
has a national development
plan that I am also a
party to. However, in the
course of the incoming administration
you may
detect a change in style
and special emphasis
on a number of issues.
This should not
cause any alarm or
uncertainty.
“Batswana have every right
to reflect with pride on four
decades of independence, stability
and major economic and
social development,” Khama
said.
His inauguration was attended
by two former presidents
(Mogae and his predecessor,
Sir Ketumile Masire), traditional
leaders, judges, members
of parliament and the diplomatic
corps.
Khama chose as his Vice-
President, the former Foreign  Minister, Mompati Merafhe; retained
the respected finance
minister, Baledzi Gaolethe; and
returned to cabinet in senior
positions other experienced
leaders.
Four women are in cabinet
out of 16 members, for a total of
25 percent. All are senior and
have been in cabinet before.
They hold the influential ministries
of local government;
health; communications, science
and technology; and
youth, sports and culture.
The BDP has been in power
for more than 40 years since
Botswana, a former British protectorate,
gained independence
in 1966, and goes to the electorate
every fives years.  sardc.net


title:
SADC observers say Zimbabwe polls “peaceful and credible”

Abstract:
A PRELIMINARY statement
from the SADC Electoral Observer
Mission (SEOM), issued
before the announcement of results,
concluded that Zimbabwe's
harmonized polls “held
on 29 March 2008 for President,
Senate, National Assembly and
local government have been a
peaceful and credible expression
of the will of the people of
Zimbabwe.”

body:
A PRELIMINARY statement
from the SADC Electoral Observer
Mission (SEOM), issued
before the announcement of results,
concluded that Zimbabwe's
harmonized polls “held
on 29 March 2008 for President,
Senate, National Assembly and
local government have been a
peaceful and credible expression
of the will of the people of
Zimbabwe.”


The head of the SEOM, José
Marcos Barrica said the elections
were “characterized by
high levels of peace, tolerance
and political vigour by party
leaders, candidates and their
supporters.”
Barrica, who is the Angolan
Minister of Youth and Sport,
said his mission was satisfied
with the conduct of the political
parties, candidates and the
electorate, who were conversant
with electoral laws and
procedures in the Electoral
Act and the SADC Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.
The SADC Mission noted,
however, that “the elections
were held against a background
characterized by a
highly tense and polarized international
atmosphere where
some quarters of the international
community remain negative
and pessimistic about
Zimbabwe and its chances for
credible elections.”
The Mission noted and
pursued concerns and allegations
pertaining to bias on the
part of both the private and
public media, pronouncements
by senior officers in the
security forces, the presence of
police officers at polling stations,
and the delay in the
publication of the voters' roll,
among other issues.
However, the SEOM said
with regard to the overall voting
process, the elections were
conducted in an open and transparent manner, and commended
the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission (ZEC) for
meeting the administrative
challenges of conducting the
harmonized elections and
demonstrating “high levels of
professionalism, resilience
and hard work.
“It is SADC's greatest hope
that the spirit of co-operation
and political tolerance which
prevailed thus far, will continue
to thrive amongst all parties
and candidates in the post
election phase.
“The greatest winner here
must be the people of Zimbabwe
and hence we call on all
political parties to accept the
election results. Any further
queries and concerns should
be pursued in line with the
laws of the country.”
In total the SEOM consisted
of 163 members from 11 of the
other 13 member states.
sardc.net


title:
Regional consultations initiated on SADC gender protocol

Abstract:
THE SADC Gender Unit has
a plan in place for consultations
throughout the region
on the draft gender protocol
to enable the involvement of
all stakeholders.

body:
THE SADC Gender Unit has
a plan in place for consultations
throughout the region
on the draft gender protocol
to enable the involvement of
all stakeholders.
The draft Protocol on Gender
and Development is
under review after the 2007
Summit of Heads of State and
Government referred it back
to SADC ministers responsible
for gender to allow for
further national consultations.
Consultations will be undertaken
in the first half of the
year so the protocol can be finalised
and submitted to
Council and Summit in August
2008.
A protocol is the most
binding of SADC legal instruments
and it is expected
that adoption of the gender
protocol, which proposes
specific targets and goals,
will accelerate the achievement
of gender equality in
the region.
A strategic meeting of senior
officials responsible for
gender and women's affairs in
SADC Member States was
held in mid-December 2007 in
Livingstone, Zambia as a first
step in reviewing the draft, to
update senior officials on
progress, and to develop a
framework for national activities
to advance discussions.
Delegates stressed the importance
of national consultations
on the protocol so as to
reach a consensus before it is
resubmitted to Summit.
Magdeline Mathiba-Madibela,
Head of the SADC Gender
Unit, underscored the importance
of reviewing the
draft so as to reach a consensus
before resubmission to
Summit. She stressed that it is
important to have a draft with
a “high level of clarity, consciousness,
and focus.”





		Roadmap towards the signing of the SADC draft Protocol on
Gender and Development


		Action
		Institution
		Timeframe

Regional strategy meeting for senior
officials responsible for Gender and
Women's Affairs Secretariat December 2007


National consultations with all
stakeholders on the draft Protocol on
Gender and Development Member States (Ministries
responsible for Gender and
Women's Affairs) National
stakeholders January-March 2008



Ministers responsible for gender meeting Secretariat Member States April 2008



Ministers of Justice meeting Secretariat Member States May 2008


Submit final draft to Senior Council of
Ministers Secretariat August 2008


Submit final draft to Summit Secretariat August 2008



Adopted and signed Protocol Secretariat August 2008





Some of the changes are intended
to address overlaps
with existing protocols or declarations
such as the Protocol
on Education and Training, the
Protocol on Health, the Maseru
Declaration on HIV and AIDS,
the UN Council Resolution
1325 on Peace-building, Peacemaking
and Peace-keeping,
and the Protocol on Culture, Information
and Sport.
These changes point to
challenges with articulating
gender issues in the protocol
and therefore there is need to
set a clear conceptual framework
of what the Protocol on
Gender and Development
should contain and why.
Delegates at the meeting
also defined which key stakeholders
need to be involved
from the beginning of the
process such as SADC senior
officials, officials from ministries
of justice, foreign affairs,
finance, members of parliament,
and development
partners.
Involving all key stakeholders
will ensure that all parties make an input into
the process and that any misunderstandings
on the document
are removed before
presentation to Summit for
approval.
Senior officials agreed on
the need to strategise on how
best national consultations
should be handled so that all
stakeholders take ownership
of the protocol.


title:
Guidelines for national consultations on the draft Protocol on Gender and
Development

Abstract:
National workshop to brief
the stakeholders on
progress and next processes
(The list of stakeholders
must include officers from
gender ministries, and all
other ministries and officers
mentioned below. This
will be in preparation for
ministerial level briefings
and consultations)

body:
National workshop to brief
the stakeholders on
progress and next processes
(The list of stakeholders
must include officers from
gender ministries, and all
other ministries and officers
mentioned below. This
will be in preparation for
ministerial level briefings
and consultations);
 Briefing of Minister(s) responsible
for Gender and
Women's Affairs;
 Consultations and consensus
building with the
SADC National Contact  Point (Ministry of Finance
and Development Planning
or Ministry of Foreign Affairs);
 Consultations and briefing
of the Women's Parliamentary
Caucuses;
 Consultations and briefing
of Parliament;
 Consultations and thorough
briefing of the Cabinet;
 Consultations and thorough
briefing of the Office
of the President including
the President and/or Prime
Minister.


title:
Artists establish SADC forum on HIV and AIDS

Abstract:
SADC ARTISTS have established
a forum to act as a platform
for the regional arts industry
in the fight against HIV
and AIDS.

body:
SADC ARTISTS have established
a forum to act as a platform
for the regional arts industry
in the fight against HIV
and AIDS.


The SADC Forum for
Artists Against AIDS was one
of the results of the SADC
Artists Workshop on HIV
and AIDS held in Zimbabwe
as part of the SADC Artist
AIDS Festival. The workshop
was attended by artists
from Lesotho, Mozambique,
Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The forum will network
with other HIV and AIDS
service organisations in the region
and individual Member
States to undertake research
and provide statistics and data
on artists living with AIDS
and needing anti-retroviral
therapy, as well as to provide
information, services and support
to artists in general and in
particular artists living with
HIV and AIDS.
It will also source funding
from SADC national governments,
international community,
corporations, foundations
and individuals to assist artists
in dealing with the HIV and
AIDS pandemic and to enable
the forum's steering committee
to achieve its objectives.
The forum will aim to provide
adequate information on
voluntary counselling and testing,
and champion the case for
all artists to go for counselling
and testing in order to receive
necessary support.
The forum's steering committee
is chaired by Zimbabwean
writer, Virginia Phiri,
and her deputy is Zambian
musician, Moses Sakala.
In a declaration issued at
the end of the workshop,
the artists observed that
many of them were
still in the denial
stage about the reality
of HIV and AIDS
and also noted that a lot needs to be done to fight
the stigma associated with
HIV and AIDS.
They observed that communities
were still unable to accept
artists and others who go public
about their HIV status.
The SADC artists said they
had undertaken a comprehensive
introspection as artists on how HIV and AIDS is impacting
on the industry and how
they must respond to the pandemic,
noting that artists are
currently used mainly as instruments
in campaigns to encourage
behavioural change
but need to be educated themselves
on ways of preventing
the spread of HIV.


title:
Zambian female boxing sensation scores a first for SADC

Abstract:
ZAMBIAN FEMALE boxer,
Esther Phiri, has become a role
model to young people in the
SADC region after winning
the World International Boxing
Federation (WIBF) title.

body:
ZAMBIAN FEMALE boxer,
Esther Phiri, has become a role
model to young people in the
SADC region after winning
the World International Boxing
Federation (WIBF) title.


Since her sensational victory
over then WIBF Intercontinental
Junior Lightweight champion,
American Kelli Cofer, in
2006, Phiri has become a household
name in Zambia.
Billboards with her picture
line streets and the government
television broadcaster
carries her fights live.
She also holds the Global
Boxing Union (GBU) super
featherweight title. Her last
fight was a GBU title defence
against American Belinda
Laracuente in December
2007.
She defeated the more experienced
American, adding
another victory to her impressive
run as the first female
boxing champion from southern
African.
To many observers, Phiri - a
single mother and former street
vendor with little education -
could provide the catalyst for
change in societal stereotypes.
Phiri acknowledges that
navigating the challenges of
fame has not been easy for her
and she has received advice
from all corners, including from
President Levy Mwanawasa.
 Aside from boxing, Phiri
wants to finish school and says
she has a "business mind".She
has also set her sights on securing
a bout in Las Vegas, the
world capital of boxing.


Abstract:
SADC MEMBER States
have agreed to speed up
the process of establishing
the Univisa, a single visa
for tourists visiting southern
Africa, and the removal
of obstacles to the
movement of SADC citizens
within the region.

body:
SADC MEMBER States
have agreed to speed up
the process of establishing
the Univisa, a single visa
for tourists visiting southern
Africa, and the removal
of obstacles to the
movement of SADC citizens
within the region.
The decision, taken at a
ministerial meeting in Luanda,
Angola in March,
was announced by Rejoice
Mabudafhasi, the deputy
tourism minister of South
Africa.
The Univisa is expected
to operate similarly to the
European Schengen visa
system. Member states still
have to resolve outstanding
issues such as costs,
policy agreements, procedures
and requirements
for issuing of the Univisa.
The removal of obstacles
to the movement of
SADC citizens can be done
through bilateral agreements,
including a waiver
of visas and many SADC
Member States have such
agreements.
The nine Member States
who have signed the protocol
on the movement of
citizens are Botswana,
DRC, Lesotho, Mozambique,
Namibia, South
Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania
and Zimbabwe.


title:
End of slavery opens new
horizons for Mauritius

Abstract:
THE ABOLITION of slavery in Mauritius in 1835 was as significant as
the end of apartheid in southern Africa's fight against poverty.

body:
THE ABOLITION of slavery in Mauritius in 1835 was as significant as
the end of apartheid in southern Africa's fight against poverty.
Happening 159 years apart, both events were defining points for a
region where institutionalised discrimination of one group by another
was common.
Both opened new horizons for the previously oppressed and ushered
in new opportunities for those hitherto denied rights to self-determination,
education, accommodation and good health facilities.
Slaves were shipped from India and parts of Africa to work on the
plantations in Mauritius owned by French settlers.
As with the fight against apartheid in South Africa, the march to
abolish slavery in Mauritius was not an easy one, often involving violent
conflict.
Finally, after much petitioning, the colonial authorities abolished
slavery in 1835 but not before agreeing to several concessions for the
plantation owners.
These included payment of €2.1 million and laws obliging freed
slaves to remain on their former owners' land as “apprentices” for six
years.
Today, Mauritius is one of Africa's strongest economies, with a vibrant
clothing and textile sector, export processing zone, and a model tourism
industry.
Mauritius this year commemorated the 173rd anniversary of the
abolition of slavery with the unveiling of a commemorative pillar in
memory of slaves who were brought to the country.
The first pillar was inaugurated in Fort Dauphin, Madagascar in 2004,
then at Saint Paul, Reunion Island in 2005, followed by the third one in
July 2007 at Mozambique Island, the ancient capital of Mozambique.
The next commemorative pillar will be erected in Pondicherry on
the East coast of India and a “Slave Memory Garden” will be established
in 2009 in Nantes, a French port from where hundreds of slave
ships set sail for the Americas in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The initiative is supported by UNESCO's project, “The Slave Route.”
Other events jointly organised by the Ministry of Arts and Culture, the
Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund, the Nelson Mandela Centre for African
Culture and the National Heritage Fund included a wreath-laying ceremony
at the Slave Monument at Pointe Canon in Mahebourg, 50 kilometres
east of Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius.



21 MARCH is a significant day in South Africa and Namibia's historical experience.
South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day, recognised after
the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 where 300 black South Africans embarked
on protests against the pass laws of the apartheid era. Following a state of
emergency, which lasted for 156 days, 69 people were killed and 187 injured.
The Human Rights Day is but one step to ensure that the people of
South Africa are aware of their human rights and to ensure that such abuses
never again occur. In Namibia, this day marks 18 years of independence
from South Africa. The words of the first post-independent president of
Namibia, Sam Nujoma still reverberate, “our achievement of independence
imposes upon us a heavy responsibility, not only to defend our hard won liberty,
but also to set for ourselves high standards of equality, justice and opportunity
for all, without regard to race creed or colour.”


body:
Public holidays in SADC for the period 
 April - June 2008


4 April Peace and National Reconciliation Day Angola
7 April Women's Day Mozambique
7 April Ougadi Mauritius
7 April Sheik Abeid Amani Karume Day Tanzania
18 April Independence Day Zimbabwe
19 April King's Birthday Swaziland
21 April Maulid Day Tanzania
25 April National Flag Day Swaziland
26 April Union Celebrations Tanzania
27 April Freedom Day South Africa
1 May Labour/Workers Day All SADC
2 May Public Holiday Malawi, Zambia,
Zimbabwe
4 May Cassinga Day Namibia
5 May Ascension Day Botswana, Lesotho,
Namibia, Swaziland
17 May Liberation Day DRC
25 May Africa Day Angola, Lesotho,
Namibia, Zambia,
Zimbabwe
1 June International Children's Day Angola
14 June Freedom Day Malawi
16 June Youth Day South Africa
24 June Fishermen's Day DRC
25 June Independence Day Mozambique
30 June Independence Day DRC

* Depends on visibility of the moon


body:
EVENTS DIARY 2008
April/May

April 2008
April 12, Zambia
SADC Extra Ordinary Summit on Zimbabwe

 In consultation with the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on
Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Mr. Jose Eduardo
Dos Santos, the President of the Republic of Angola, SADC
Chairperson, Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa (SC), the President
of the Republic of Zambia has called for an Extra Ordinary
Summit of Heads of State and Government.



14-18 South Africa
Africa Power and Electricity Congress

The 10th annual Africa Power and Electricity Congress 2008
aims to provide participants with an opportunity to interact
with industry leaders from 22 African countries and debate
the latest opportunities in the energy market.


16-17 Mauritius
SADC Civil Society Regional Poverty and Development

Advocacy Platform Pre-Conference Workshop
The workshop will prepare civil society delegates for the
SADC International Consultative Conference on Poverty and
Development. Delegates from umbrella civil society
organisations throughout the region will attend the
workshop.


18-20 Mauritius
SADC International Consultative Conference on Poverty and
Development

Theme: “Regional Economic Integration: A Strategy for
Poverty Eradication towards Sustainable Development”
The conference will adopt a multi-stakeholder approach to
allow for strategic dialogue that recognises the necessity of
regional multi-dimensional strategies and approaches to
tackle poverty. Expected outcomes include the adoption of a
SADC Regional Poverty Reduction Framework (RPRF) and
the establishment of a SADC Poverty Observatory.

28-30 DRC
SADC Energy Ministers

SADC Energy Ministers will meet to discuss the energy
situation in the region, and the prevailing power deficits. The
Ministers have ultimate oversight on the Power Sector
Projects Road Map. The ministers will also discuss the
phasing out of leaded petrol which is expected to take effect
in April. The ministerial meeting will be preceded by a
preparatory meeting of senior officials.

May 2008

07-09, Namibia
ICT-Africa 2008 Conference

ICT-Africa 2008 will bring together delegates from
commercial, government and research organisations across
Africa and from Europe to strategise on ways to bridge the
Digital Divide by sharing knowledge, experiences, lessons
learned and good practices. ICT-Africa 2008 will focus on
Applied ICT research topics addressing major societal and
economic challenges.



14-15, Mozambique
Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank

Mozambique will host the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Board
of Governors of the African Development Bank (ADB) and
the 34th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the
African Development Fund (ADF) under the theme of
“Fostering shared growth: urbanisation, inequality and
power.” These meetings are the most important meeting
place of finance and development experts in Africa.


title:
Economic growth essential Economic growth essential
but must be sustainable

Abstract:
ECONOMIC GROWTH in SADC Member
States is necessary but not sufficient to make
real impact on poverty eradication, especially
when such growth is erratic.

body:
ECONOMIC GROWTH in SADC Member
States is necessary but not sufficient to make
real impact on poverty eradication, especially
when such growth is erratic.
This was said by the President of the African
Development Bank (AfDB), Donald Kaberuka,
in a keynote address to the SADC International
Conference on Poverty and Development held
in Mauritius in April.
Kaberuka said while economic growth -
often simply measured by changes in Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) - is essential, it should
be sustained “over several years… broad based
and non-exclusive.”
The Mauritius conference gave fresh impetus
to regional integration, adopting a pro-poor
regional poverty Reduction Framework.
As explained by SADC Executive Secretary
Tomaz Salomao, the implementation framework
”articulates those activities that will have
direct impact on poverty which are currently
not or inadequately addressed in the implementation”
of SADC's Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan and the Strategic
Indicative Plan for the Organ.
The conference also endorsed the establishment
of a Regional Poverty Observatory which
will institutionalise the monitoring and evaluation
of poverty interventions, as well as tracking
of Millennium Development Goals.
Governments, private sector and some 120
civil society organisations represented in Mauritius
shared Kaberuka's call for a developmentconscious
state.
A capable developmental state is necessary to
support businesses and farmers, particularly during
this era of an “overloaded, frontloaded” global
agenda manifesting in Economic Partnership
Agreements (EPAs) and other global contexts.
To this end, civil society organisations made
representation urging member states to “adopt a
common approach to EPAs… and agree to only
those provisions that are pro-poor as opposed to
a wholesale approach that may negate… objectives
of job creation and poverty alleviation.”
A number of SADC countries
have been registering
positive GDP growth rates in
recent years. Despite this,
over 40 percent of SADC citizens
still live in acute poverty,
according to Zambian President
Levy Mwanawasa, who
is also SADC chairperson.
Mwanawasa said “poverty
can be ended by sharing
rising wealth,” adding that
there was a great sense of optimism
in most countries that
are currently achieving
progress in ending poverty,
no matter how modest the
progress might be.
“The challenge is to make
this progress to happen even
faster,” said the Zambian
president.
Most southern African
economies are dualistic and
characterized by, on one hand,
a foreign-dominated formal
sector and, on the other, a
marginalized, underdeveloped
informal and mostly
peasant indigenous sector.
As noted by economist
Godfrey Kanyenze, the formal
sector emerged as a foreign
implant whose modus
operandi was generally
linked to external factors
thereby preventing the need
for an internal accumulation
and transformation process
to emerge that would have
captured the majority of the
labour force into the capitalist
process of accumulation.
Kanyenze further argues
that this has had the effect of
impoverishing and marginalizing
the indigenous population,
thereby leading to the
creation of weak class formations
and weak internal
markets with low effective
demand, in turn
constraining the
growth of vibrant
intra-regional trade.

Furthermore, with few exceptions
such as South Africa,
SADC Member State exports
are mainly primary and unfinished
goods with about 90
percent of SADC exports
comprising of mineral and
agricultural goods, and its imports
are mainly capital and
intermediate goods, according
to official statistics.
Brazil offers one of the best examples of
successful diversification. The south American
country has since the 1990s been the world's largest
producer of coffee.
However, the country diversified into other areas
including manufactured goods, propelling itself into
being the tenth largest economy in the world.
Closer to home, countries such as Mauritius have
achieved sustained growth on the back of a diversified
economy, one that relies on tourism,
textiles, sugarcane and a steadily developing
manufacturing base.
To ensure long-term sustainability,
Member States
would need to diversify their
economies as a way of cushioning
themselves from inevitable
exogenous shocks
such as sudden changes in
world commodity prices.
Brazil offers one of the best
examples of successful diversification.
The South American
country has been for
many years the world's
largest producer of coffee.
Since the 1990s, however, coffee
is no longer central to the
Brazilian economy. The country
diversified into other areas
including manufactured
goods, propelling itself into
being the tenth largest economy
in the world.
Closer to home, countries
such as Mauritius have
achieved sustained growth
on the back of a diversified
economy, one that relies on
tourism, textiles, sugarcane and a steadily developing
manufacturing base.
Apart from diversification,
SADC Member States
face the challenge of deepening
intra-regional trade.
Kanyenze observes: “As
former colonies, the integration
of the economies of
SADC member states with
the world capitalist system
was determined by the mercantilists'
imperialist interests
of the European powers,
which created vertical linkages
between the European
metropoles/centre and the
SADC region/periphery.”
The dominance of an exogenously
planted formal sector has meant that African
countries in general and
SADC in particular trade
more with Europe than
among themselves.

As such, a lot rests on the
SADC Free Trade Area to be
launched later this year to correct
this historical imbalance.
The role of informal cross
border traders, who are part
of the regional and global
value chains, is very important
if intra-regional trade is
to have relevance in a region
where the informal economy
is still as significant as the
formal economy.
There can be no illusions
about the daunting challenges
facing the region today, and
Mauritian Prime Minister
Navinchandra Ramgoolam
summed it up when he said:
“The task is certainly immense
but so is our responsibility
to the millions who live
in absolute poverty in our
countries…
“The ultimate objective of
power over destiny of the
people we lead is precisely to
put those people first and take
decisions that will make a difference
to their lives and those
of future generations.”


title:
Mauritius conference affirms strategies for
sustainable development

Abstract:
THE SADC International Conference
on Poverty and Development
held in Mauritius in April
provided a platform for a wide
spectrum of stakeholders to dialogue,
but it did more than that.

body:
THE SADC International Conference
on Poverty and Development
held in Mauritius in April
provided a platform for a wide
spectrum of stakeholders to dialogue,
but it did more than that.
The intention of the conference
was to focus on southern
Africa's main challenge - poverty
- with leaders reaffirming commitment
to multi-pronged strategies
for sustainable development.
The conference noted that
comprehensive strategies to
eradicate poverty are already in
place at the national and regional
levels. What is lacking is holistic
implementation and a collective
regional approach.
To this end, the conference
declaration urged “all SADC
Member States to fully implement
their strategies aimed at
poverty eradication…” adding
that this would be done “in pursuance
of our commitment” to
SADC's long-term development
frameworks for deepening regional
integration.

The long-term frameworks
are the Regional Indicative
Strategic Development Plan
(RISDP) and the Strategic Indicative
Plan of the Organ (SIPO).
The conference agreed on the
need to combat and eradicate
poverty in “all its manifestations
and dimensions as a matter
of utmost urgency through
regional cooperation and integration,
sound political and economic
governance, the pursuit
of appropriate trade and growth
policies and gainful participation
in the world economy and
… recommit to mobilize the necessary
resources.”
In light of recent challenges
exacerbating poverty in the
region, the conference identified
six priority areas, summarized
in the declaration as:
 Achieving food security in
a situation of growing global
food shortages;
Addressing the adverse
impact of climate change in
the fight against poverty;
Increasing capacity in
power generation and transmission
as well as secure
greater use of renewable and
alternative sources of energy;
Achieving higher economic
growth through accelerated
regional integration, pro-poor
trade liberalization and economic
development;
Developing and sustaining
human capabilities through
sustained access of the population
to quality and appropriate
education, training welfare
and social development, nutrition,
health and sporting services
as well as information in
Member States; and
 Accelerating development,
rehabilitation and maintenance
of infrastructure for regional
integration.

Poverty statistics for Africa
in general and SADC in particular
have been repeated endlessly
to an extent that the numbers
have become mind-numbing
and almost meaningless. However,
this was one international conference on poverty that
avoided that same ground,
rather concentrating on priority
areas that require urgent attention.
The conference, attended by
political leaders from the region
and beyond, international cooperating
partners, private sector
and civil society representatives,
agreed to an array of measures
necessary to address these priority
areas.
To achieve food security, the
leaders agreed to “sustainably
improve” the production capacity
and productivity, facilitating
cross-border and internal flows of food products based on improved
infrastructure and networks.
A Task Force of Ministers of
Trade, Agriculture and Finance
will be set up to encourage regional
collaboration in this regard
and the task force was
mandated to “immediately
focus on the current food crisis.”
Regarding climate change,
the leaders committed to prepare
and implement national
and regional adaptation and
mitigation plans.
And to achieve sustainable
pro-poor economic development,
the conference noted the need to
promote relevant financial sector
development including micro-finance
and development of small
and medium enterprises with
particular emphasis on gender.
Further, priority must be
given to accelerating regional
integration including intra-regional
trade liberalization,
cross-border investment and
value addition by improving the
business and investment climate,
the leaders agreed.
The conference resolved to
“enhance, expand and upgrade
infrastructure” with emphasis
on labour-intensive methods
and Public Private Partnerships.
Relevant education and skills
development at all levels will be
promoted to ensure higher general
efficiency, productivity and
boosting the required innovative
processes by, among others,
bridging the digital divide.
Wide access to health services
including primary healthcare
should be emphasized in all
Member States while it is equally
urgent to step up efforts to
combat HIV and AIDS and
other communicable diseases.
The conference underscored
the need for strategic partnerships
with private sector and
civil society to mobilize financial
and technical resources “to
combat poverty at its roots”.
The conference further resolved
to “work towards the establishment
of a Regional
Poverty Observatory to monitor
progress made in the implementation
of actions in the main priority
areas of poverty eradication.”
And with all the measures in
place, the conference emphasised
the need to acquire and
develop adequate capacity both
at the SADC Secretariat and in
Member States to ensure effective
implementation of poverty
eradication programmes.


title:
Rising global food prices -
A challenge or an opportunity for southern Africa?

Abstract:
HEADS OF State and Government
of SADC Member States
meeting in Mauritius at the
SADC conference on poverty
and development, committed
themselves “to focus immediately
on the current food challenges
by increasing agricultural
production.”

body:
HEADS OF State and Government
of SADC Member States
meeting in Mauritius at the
SADC conference on poverty
and development, committed
themselves “to focus immediately
on the current food challenges
by increasing agricultural
production.”
This, they said, should be
done through “encouraging
regional collaboration, by sustainably
improving production
capacity and productivity,
and facilitating cross-border
and internal food flows, based
on improved infrastructure
and distribution networks.”
SADC is fully cognisant of
the need for sustainable food
security in the region in order
to achieve its vision of economic
well-being, improvement
of the standards of living
and quality of life, freedom
and social justice, and peace
and security for its people.
The mandate of SADC's
Food, Agriculture and Natural
Resources (FANR) Directorate
is to develop, promote, coordinate
and facilitate policies and
programmes aimed at increasing
agricultural and natural
resources production, and
productivity and trade with
the overall goal of improving
food security and fostering
economic development.
Thus an opportunity exists
for the region through the
FANR and other organs of
SADC to put in place measures
that would allow farmers
in the region to take advantage
of the global food price
increases to produce more for
the region and beyond.
Food prices could
derail Africa's growth,
or boost it
AFRICA'S GROWTH rate
could be derailed by the
global rise in food prices,
the AfDB chairperson,
Donald Kaberuka, told the
Bank's annual meeting
held in Maputo in May. He
said the food predicament
is an additional hurdle that
will put Africa's ability to
manage risks and overcome
new threats to great
test, but added that this
challenge can be turned
into an opportunity where
farming finally becomes a
viable business rather than
a meagre livelihood.
On the other hand,
millions of people in
southern Africa are currently
food insecure,
requiring food assistance
and the global
rise in food prices has raised the cost for some Member
States to import food.
The available figures as of
March 2008 show that there
has been an increase in the imports
of cereals in the region.
Prices of main cereals this
marketing year have been
much higher than at the same
period last year due to strong
international and regional demand
and weak supplies.
Current prices of maize, the
most important staple foodstuff
in most countries of the
sub-region, are generally
above their corresponding
levels a year earlier.

What this means is that the
region should seize the opportunity
afforded by the food
predicament to increase production.
The SADC region has plenty
of arable land, generally
favourable climatic conditions
and the expertise to expand
agricultural production, and
these can be maximised to avoid imports and produce a
surplus for export.
However, with the threat of
frequent droughts in the region
caused by a number of
factors including global
warming, the region needs to
continue to invest heavily in
irrigation.
There is also a need to diversify
food production, especially
in the area of small
grains, which are drought resistant
so that there is reduced
dependence on imports.
However, for the region to
increase production there is an
urgent need to review and
track progress toward commitments
adopted by SADC leaders
four years ago in the Dar es
Salaam Declaration on Agriculture
and Food Security.
In Dar es Salaam in May
2004, Member States reaffirmed
their commitment to
accelerate agricultural development,
upon which more
than 70 percent of the people in the region depend for food,
income and employment.
The multi-sectoral Dar es
Salaam Declaration's strategy
contains an agreed set of shortterm
(2004-2006) objectives.
These include the provision of
key agricultural inputs; agroindustrial
development and
processing; control of crop and
livestock pests and diseases;
crop, livestock and fisheries
production; and water management
and irrigation.
In the medium-to-longterm
commitments (2004-
2010), SADC leaders agreed to
address the sustainable use
and management of natural
resources; disaster preparedness;
research, technology development
and dissemination;
agricultural financing and investment;
training and human
resources development; gender
equality; and human
health and mitigation of HIV
and AIDS, and other chronic
diseases.
As Member States step up
the implementation of the Dar
es Salaam Declaration and
Plan of Action, there still is
need to buttress the mediumto-
long-term measures that
were agreed on as a way of
eliminating deficits in the production
of staple foods such as
maize, wheat and rice.
The coordination of collective
and timely actions in response
to the region's challenges
in food production can
be provided by the FANR Directorate
of the SADC Secretariat.
FANR can also play a significant
role in creating a conducive
environment for regional
integration and prosperity
through the establishment
of institutional and policy
frameworks and harmonisation
of rules and regulations
for the conservation of the region's
plant and animal genetic
resources.


title:
Improved prospects for food security in
southern Africa this season

Abstract:
IN SOUTHERN Africa, the
2007/08 agricultural season is
coming to an end with harvesting
and movement of produce
to markets underway.

body:
IN SOUTHERN Africa, the
2007/08 agricultural season is
coming to an end with harvesting
and movement of produce
to markets underway.
Although the planting
rains started later than usual,
excessive precipitation persisted
during December and
January throughout the region
causing serious flooding in
many low-lying areas.
This was particularly the
case along the river basins in
Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Malawi and Madagascar.
Since February the rains
have diminished, and unfavourably
dry weather has returned
to some countries including
Zimbabwe, parts of
Botswana, southern Malawi,
southern Mozambique, eastern
Swaziland and central Zambia.
Pockets of moderate food insecurity
are projected in areas
affected by localized flooding
that was followed by the unexpected
dry spell between February
and March 2008.
Despite these weather vagaries,
overall prospects for
the sub-region as a whole are
considered favourable, marking
a recovery from the
2006/7 drought-affected season.
However, significant rises
in international prices of fuel
and fertilizers have affected
the use of key inputs in agriculture,
somewhat dampening
yield prospects.
Post-harvest assessments
conducted by the Famine
Early Warning Systems Network
(FEWSNET) in April reveal
that a majority of households
in most parts of Malawi,
United Republic of Tanzania,
Zambia, and northern
Mozambique will be food secure
during this year. But data is still awaited from other
SADC countries.
In South Africa, the area
put under maize this season is
officially estimated at about
3.2 million hectares, a 9.7 percent
increase from last year.
South Africa's National Department
of Agriculture's Crop
Estimates Committee estimates
output to reach 10.765 million
tonnes, a 51.1 percent increase
over last year's harvest.
In Malawi, large input subsidy
schemes and favourable  rainfall for most parts of the
country has contributed to initial
preliminary production
estimates of maize, rice, and
cassava that are higher than
the previous five-year average.
Maize production is estimated
to reach 3.283 million
tonnes, which represents a 50
percent increase against the
average, but a five percent
decrease from last season.
In Namibia, preliminary
forecasts suggest that overall area planted has decreased
by 14 percent compared to
the 6-year average, mainly
because of the delayed onset
of rains and localized flooding.
Despite this reduction in
area planted, the cereal production
forecast stands at
125,000 tonnes, about 5 percent
above the 6-year average
and 10 percent above last year
when production was affected
by drought and an erratic
rainfall pattern.


title:
Dar es Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security

Abstract:
THE DAR es Salaam Declaration
of May 2004 identified a
number of priority areas on
which SADC Member States
agreed to focus in the short
term (2004-2006) and medium-
to-long term (2004-2010)
so as to achieve food security
for the region.

body:
THE DAR es Salaam Declaration
of May 2004 identified a
number of priority areas on
which SADC Member States
agreed to focus in the short
term (2004-2006) and medium-
to-long term (2004-2010)
so as to achieve food security
for the region.
The short-term measures
included the need for Member States to ensure availability
and access of key agricultural
inputs for farmers.
The summit also underscored
the need to provide targeted
support to vulnerable
farmers with key inputs such
as improved seed varieties,
fertilizers, agrochemicals,
tillage services and farm implements.
Progress on implementation of the Dar es Salaam Declaration
Commitment Implementing status
Allocation of 10 percent of
national budgets to agriculture
and rural development Although most countries have significantly increased their budget allocations
to the agricultural sector, the amounts have not risen to the
agreed 10 percent, with a few exceptions of Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Development of a regional
food reserve facility Research was carried out in 2006 on the modalities and strategies for the
development of a regional food reserve facility, but little has happened
since then to make this project a reality.
Improvement of market
access With the volatility in the prices of agricultural commodities on the world
market, there has not been much change in accessing those market. Locally,
access to markets is hampered by poor feeder roads in some Member
States hence the need to accelerate infrastructure development.

Water management and
irrigation Irrigation projects are being implemented in the SADC Member States,
although the potential has not been fully tapped with projects moving
at a snail pace.

Provision of agricultural
inputs Initiatives at national level are taking place to ensure viability of seed and
fertilizer. Cooperation has also been taking place between Member States
to ensure that access is widened in those countries facing shortages.

Source FEWSNET, SADC Today



title:
Development starts in the countryside -- Guebuza

Abstract:
THE STARTING point for development
in Mozambique must be
the rural areas, President Armando
Guebuza said in his opening
address to the annual meeting of
the African Development Bank
held in Maputo in May.

body:
THE STARTING point for development
in Mozambique must be
the rural areas, President Armando
Guebuza said in his opening
address to the annual meeting of
the African Development Bank
held in Maputo in May.
“We shall overcome the challenges
of economic emancipation
by making the rural areas the nuclei
of planning and development,”
Guebuza said, adding
that transport and communications
infrastructure is needed to
bring regions together and “to
link centres of production with
centres of consumption.”
He warned that
the problems of
rural poverty cannot
be solved “by the
simple liberalization
of prices.
“On the contrary,
reality shows us that
measures to liberalise
and make flexible the economy
can in the countryside generate
the opposite effects, in the
absence of structural measures
that seek to deal with the causes
of the isolation of rural areas
from the rest of the national
economy.”
But the free functioning
of markets
“presupposes the existence
of infrastructures
that facilitate
these linkages.”
He said development
must have
strong participation
by beneficiaries, including the
private sector. Turning to the
sharp rises in oil and grain
prices, Guebuza warned that
these “have an impact on the
productive sector, on the balance
of payments and on the
state budget.
“This is not just a problem of
food security. We are facing a
large-scale social and economic
problem.
“We must act more speedily
than the speed at which oil
prices are rising,” he said.
The Minister of Planning and
Development, Aiuba Cuereneia,
who is the current chairperson
of the AfDB Board of Governors,
noted that the price of a tonne of
rice has risen from 373 US dollars
at the start of the year to 760
dollars now.
Wheat has reached the price
of 412 dollars a tonne, and even
maize, the staple food for much
of Africa, has risen by 29 per
cent, from 171 to 220 dollars a
tonne. (AIM Telinforma)


title:
"The time has come for agriculture in Africa to
become a viable business"

Abstract:
THE PRESIDENT of the African
Development Bank (AfDB), Donald
Kaberuka echoed Guebuza's
approach, saying that the state
must play a key role if a green
revolution in Africa is to succeed,
and private investment is not sufficient
by itself.

body:
THE PRESIDENT of the African
Development Bank (AfDB), Donald
Kaberuka echoed Guebuza's
approach, saying that the state
must play a key role if a green
revolution in Africa is to succeed,
and private investment is not sufficient
by itself.
AfDB finances “very
strong”, Kaberuka
DESPITE INTERNATIONAL
financial crises, the finances of
the African Development Bank
“remain very strong, and our
risk bearing capacity remains
robust,” Kaberuka said,
adding that the AfDB would
soon open offices in Angola
and Algeria, bringing the full
complement of 25 in a complex
process of decentralisation.

There must be both “crowding
in of more private investment
and a greater role for the state.”
“Private investors can probably
do their own irrigation,” he
said, “but they need infrastructure,
input and product markets
that function, research institutions
that deliver and policies
that are stable. Only the state is
well equipped to provide the
latter.
“In the years of structural adjustment,
it seems a lot of capacity
in this sector (agriculture)
was cut to the minimum”.
Kaberuka said that although
the food predicament is an additional
hurdle that will put
Africa's ability to manage risks
and overcome new threats to
great test, it should be seen just as
a challenge that can be overcome.
“Perhaps, for our rural farmers,
if given quality support, this
can turn out to be an opportunity
which they
have been waiting for,
where farming, large
and small, finally, becomes viable businesses rather
than a source of scrapping a meagre
livelihood.
"The time has come for agriculture
in Africa to become a viable
business."
Kaberuka said that short,
medium and long term responses
to food security involve a global
coordination amongst the
bank's agencies in concert with
governments to:
 ensure that markets function
effectively;
 give more capacity to agriculture
ministers;
 put in place policies that are
pro-women;
 establish the African seed
mechanism for which funding
has been secured, as well as some
degree of fertiliser subsidy; and
 build infrastructure such as
roads and irrigation schemes.


title:
Japan to double aid to Africa over next five years, with focus on infrastructure

Abstract:
JAPAN HAS promised to double
official assistance to Africa over
the next five years to about
US$1.9 billion per year by 2012,
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda
told the Fourth Tokyo International
Conference on African Development
(TICAD) in May.

body:
JAPAN HAS promised to double
official assistance to Africa over
the next five years to about
US$1.9 billion per year by 2012,
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda
told the Fourth Tokyo International
Conference on African Development
(TICAD) in May.
Fukuda said Japan will also
provide up to US$4 billion of soft
loans to Africa over the next five
years in a “proactive and flexible”
manner.
He laid great importance on
the development of infrastructure,
saying the experience of
Japan and other Asian countries
shows that improvements in
transportation infrastructure
play a critical role in attracting
private investment.
“Japan wishes to engage in
efforts to diligently join the unconnected
road networks, and
wishes to combine these efforts
with improvements to ports in
order to form a network, a network
that will enable Africa as a
whole to move forward with
greater dynamism,” he said.
This should be “the people's
infrastructure” bringing prosperity
to communities and the people
living there, Fukuda said,
adding that Japanese companies
will have greater interest in
Africa when the infrastructure is
improved and this will in turn facilitate
the transfer of technologies
and managerial experiences.
At the TICAD summit, the
African Union (AU) chairperson, President Jakaya Kikwete of the
United Republic of Tanzania,
highlighted the imperative to encourage
major companies in the
rich countries such as Japan to accelerate
development in Africa
through investment.
Kikwete cited statistics showing
that Japanese companies are
not yet significant investors in
Africa; he said that of the
US$108.5 billion invested across
the world between 2002 and 2006,
only 0.4 per cent went to Africa.
Of the total Japanese investment
in Africa, 85 per cent went
to two countries (South Africa
and Egypt) and the remaining
15 per cent was distributed
among the other 52 African
countries.


Abstract:
ENERGY TRADING allows countries
to buy and sell surplus electricity
through an ever-widening
network of electrical lines and relay
substations, thus strengthening access
to power supply for business
and residential purposes through
cross-border trade.

body:
ENERGY TRADING allows countries
to buy and sell surplus electricity
through an ever-widening
network of electrical lines and relay
substations, thus strengthening access
to power supply for business
and residential purposes through
cross-border trade.
Trade has been brisk among
most of the mainland SADC Member
States and energy trading was
up by 20 percent in March, according
to the Southern African Power
Pool (SAPP).
The increase in trading was facilitated
by the coming online of key regional
interconnectors that went
down the previous month, in a situation
that left the SAPP network operating
as three separate islands.
Projects such as the recently concluded
five-year agreement between
Eskom of South Africa and the
Mozambican government to supply
an additional 250MW of power from
Cahora Bassa hydroelectric power
station has further increased energy
trading between those two countries.
The agreement was signed in
Mozambique at the beginning of
April, allowing Cahora Bassa to
avail 250MW to Eskom from its
fifth generator, bringing the total
amount Eskom can import from
Cahora Bassa to 1500MW.
The power will be supplied over
a network extending through Zimbabwe
and Botswana to the South
African grid via the High Voltage
Direct Current line.
EDM, the Mozambican electricity
utility, will also receive 50MW additional
capacity from the fifth generator
at Cahora Bassa.
This year will also see the completion
of two interconnector projects
between Zambia and Tanzania, and
another one between Zambia and
the DRC, a situation that will make it
possible for an additional 660MW in
the region.
Combined with this have been
improvements in regional cooperation
through inter-government
agreements such as the ZESANamPower
accord to revamp
Hwange power station last year.
There is no doubt that these
projects have reduced inadvertent
power flows and power oscillations
that had affected the region from
the start of this year.
With most SADC Member States
except the island states of Mauritius
and Madagascar involved in the regional
power pool, financing for capital-
intensive energy producing projects
will need to be facilitated as
agreed at the meeting of the SADC
Ministerial Task Force on Implementation
of Power Sector Projects held
in Botswana in February.
Energy-producing facilities, be
they hydroelectric, coal, solar or nuclear,
are tremendously expensive
undertakings. Member states have
found there is power of another
kind in numbers, and they have
combined to pool resources.
South Africa, Mozambique and
Swaziland, for example, have become
the tri-nation members of the
Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative
(LSDI), named after the
Lubombo mountain range shared
by those countries.
The three nations have benefited
from the energy needs of the new
Mozal Aluminium Smelter, located
on the outskirts of Maputo, the capital
of Mozambique.
The three nations' utility companies
formed a new company MOTRACO
to build and run the power
line, giving permanent employment
to 800 people and creating 9,000 jobs
during the construction phase.
Petroleum is a second key energy
source that is being processed
and used to meet southern Africa's
needs, and to fuel expanding industries.
Mozambique's state-owned fuel
retailing company, Petromoc, undertook
a successful joint venture deal with the South African energy
firm Sasol in 2002, thus increasing
energy trade between the countries.
“From Mozambique's point of
view, joint ventures offer the capital
we need to exploit our growing
market of private and industrial
petrol consumers. The partners
gain ground-level access to this
burgeoning market,” said the
Mozambican Minister of Energy,
Salvador Namburete recently.
Coal is the third leg of the region's
energy infrastructure. Swaziland's
once-thriving mining sector
has been reduced to a single coal
mine. However, production is still
reasonably good due to increased
trade with South Africa.
The region's energy sectors face
the same challenge as other segments
of different nations'
economies: how to empower a
greater number of previously disenfranchised
business people so
they might reap the benefits of this
lucrative field.
However, if energy trading is
going to continue benefiting the region,
there is need for a follow-up
on international pledges made to finance
regional infrastructure projects
including under the New Partnership
for Africa's Development
(NEPAD)


Abstract:
Four countries in the
SADC region are to embark
on a project to construct
a 330KV inter-linked
power transmission line that is
aimed at improving distribution
of electricity among the
power utilities.

body:
Four countries in the
SADC region are to embark
on a project to construct
a 330KV inter-linked
power transmission line that is
aimed at improving distribution
of electricity among the
power utilities.

The Zimbabwe Electricity
Supply Authority (ZESA) of
Zimbabwe, Botswana Power
Corporation (BCP), NamPower
of Namibia and Zambia
Electricity Supply Limited
(ZESL) are to sign a memorandum of understanding for the
project.
This will involve the construction
of a high voltage alternating
current power line
from Hwange through Victoria
Falls to the Zambezi substation
in Namibia.
The project is aimed at interconnecting
the electricity networks
of Namibia, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, the DRC, Mozambique
and South Africa to create
an alternative route for
power imports and exports.


title:
SADC ministers deliberate on
regional energy shortfalls

Abstract:
REGIONAL ENERGY ministers have
agreed to revive the regional energy
planning network to compliment
the energy recovery roadmap
established a few weeks ago to address
the power shortages facing the
region.

body:
REGIONAL ENERGY ministers have
agreed to revive the regional energy
planning network to compliment
the energy recovery roadmap
established a few weeks ago to address
the power shortages facing the
region.
The plan will contain prioritised
programmes and activities' covering
the entire energy sector and is to
be reviewed every five years.
It seeks to integrate energy conservation,
regional energy linkages,
Biomass Energy Conservation and
Power Surplus Capacity utilisation
among others as measures to mitigate
energy shortages.
The SADC ministers responsible
for energy, who met in Kinshasa,
DRC at the end of April, also noted
the importance of reviving the Energy
Planning and Environmental
Management Training Programme,
which ended in February 2008.
The meeting was chaired by
Zambia's Minister of Energy and
Water Development, Kenneth
Konga and was preceded by a
preparatory meeting of regional Senior
Energy Officials on 28 and 29
April.
The energy ministers took note
of the difficulties that the region is
experiencing towards the fulfilment of its mandate of providing reliable
and affordable energy to its people
which was particularly fuelled by
the diminished installed capacity in
the power sector.
In light of these problems, the
ministers reviewed the SADC Regional
Energy Programme, particularly
taking into cognisance the
forthcoming energy consultative
meeting later in the year, which is
meant to update the SADC Energy
Activity Plan that will be implemented
by December 2008.
“The plan would contain prioritised
programmes and activities
covering the entire energy sector
that includes conservation and increasing
capacity and would be reviewed
every five years,” a press
statement by the Ministers after the
meeting noted.
Furthermore, the ministers deliberated
on the energy activities
geared towards the revival of the
Regional Energy Planning Network,
where the Southern African Power
Pool (SAPP) and individual national
utilities will develop a plan on energy
usage and conservation.
However, in view of the significance
of alternative sources of energy
such as biomass in the energy
supply mix, the ministers directed the SADC Secretariat to work towards
consolidating efforts to identify
funding for the proposed Phase
IV, which is meant to ensure energy
service delivery and environmental
management at the rural level.
In noting the rising petroleum
prices, the SADC Energy Ministers
directed that an elaborate regional
bio-fuels programme be instituted
immediately.
Of concern to the Ministers was
also the report of the Ministerial
Taskforce, which met in Botswana
in February and after having deliberated
on the status of the Power
Surplus Capacity in the Region they
noted the following:
Available capacity in April 2008
was 47,067 MW vis a vis available
capacity of 43,518 in December
2007;
 The difference between installed
and available capacity is currently
about 8,000 MW;
 A total of about 1,700MW was
commissioned in 2007 in Angola,
South Africa and Swaziland
against a target of 1,925MW;
In 2008, SAPP has planned to
commission 1,757MW against a
planned target of 2,014MW;
 Long-term projects shall be implemented
between 2008 and 2025 and shall provide additional
power amounting to 44,000
MW.


The Ministers considered and
approved the structures proposed
to accelerate implementation of
power projects, which include project
teams, comprising of utilities
and independent players in the
power supply industry.
They also noted the need to
strengthen existing structures such
as the Energy Ministerial Task
Force, the SADC Secretariat, and
subsidiary institutions of SADC
such as SAPP and RERA.
The next meeting of the Ministerial
Task Force on Energy will be
held in South Africa in December
2008.


title:
Cahora Bassa refurbishment means more power  to the region

Abstract:
Mozambique's Hidroeléctrica
de Cahora Bassa (HCB), the
company running the Cahora Bassa
dam, is currently refurbishing the
power station, which will enable it
to increase the electricity output it
sells to the regional countries.

body:
Mozambique's Hidroeléctrica
de Cahora Bassa (HCB), the
company running the Cahora Bassa
dam, is currently refurbishing the
power station, which will enable it
to increase the electricity output it
sells to the regional countries.
Much of Cahora Bassa's power
generating capacity of 2,075
megawatts is sold to South Africa.
The refurbishment will cost
HCB US$60 million, and under a
new five-year agreement Cahora
Bassa will export a further 250 MW to South Africa, bringing the total
amount to 1,500 MW.
HCB will also supply an additional
50 MW to Electricidade de
Moçambique (EDM) from the fifth
giant turbine at the dam. EDM receives
400 MW from HCB.
There are five giant turbines at
Cahora Bassa each capable of generating
415 MW.
Like other countries in the region,
South Africa has been grappling
with power shortages, which
caused severe blackouts in January,
forcing mines to suspend operations
for various days over safety
concerns.
The move is likely to ease South
Africa's power shortages and enable
it to free more power to its
neighbours that had been cut earlier
on in the year.
HCB power is supplied to the
region over a network extending
through Zimbabwe and Botswana
to the South African power grid.
Cahora Bassa's power is also
sold to Botswana (40 MW), Zimbabwe
(200 MW), which leaves 80 MW
for other customers such as Malawi
and Zambia. Tanzania, which is
currently importing electricity from
Zambia, has also expressed an interest
in buying power from Cahora
Bassa.
The South African utility company,
Eskom, is also negotiating
with the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply
Authority (ZESA) for the refurbishment
of three power stations
with a combined generation capacity
of 500 MW.
Mozambique is also currently
seeking funding for the building of
a new dam on the Zambezi River 60
km downstream from Cahora
Bassa, which Eskom has agreed to
fund.


title:
Renewable sources -
Where the wind blows, energy will follow

Abstract:
SOUTH AFRICA'S first
wind farm has begun generating
power at the village
of Darling, near Cape
Town.

body:
SOUTH AFRICA'S first
wind farm has begun generating
power at the village
of Darling, near Cape
Town.
The wind farm was officially
opened by the Minister
of Minerals and Energy,
Buyelwa Sonjica, who
pressed a symbolic switch
to start the four turbines
spinning.
She acknowledged that
there have been many barriers
“but we need to
make sure the project is
not delayed any more. It has been a long road to
reach this milestone.”
The minister said the
wind farm has shown that
renewable energy projects
are “do-able”, adding that
the launch is timely
“when we are experiencing
challenges to our supply.”
She said that wind
power could meet nine
percent of the country's energy
needs and considerably
more in the coastal
provinces. The South
African government has allocated R1 billion for renewable
energy projects.
Electricity generated by
the farm will be sold to
Cape Town at a premium
price as part of a longterm
deal for energy provision.
The chief executive of
Darling Wind Power is an
Austrian engineer, Hermann
Oeisner, who has
lived in South Africa for
more than 20 years and
whose determination finally
saw the establishment of
the wind farm.
Wind power currently
accounts for almost one
percent of electricity generation
worldwide. Denmark
leads the way with
wind providing 27 percent
of its energy needs, followed
by Spain and Portugal
at nine percent.


title:
Slow progress on phasing out leaded petrol in SADC

Abstract:
A MAJORITY of southern
African countries
are still using leaded
petrol after expiry of
the agreed deadline to
use more environmentally
friendly fuels by
the beginning of 2006.

body:
A MAJORITY of southern
African countries
are still using leaded
petrol after expiry of
the agreed deadline to
use more environmentally
friendly fuels by
the beginning of 2006.
Botswana, Mauritius,
Namibia, South
Africa and Zambia
have stopped using
leaded fuel in line with
a commitment made by
African countries in
2002 to use only unleaded
petrol, which is
less harmful to the environment
and human
health.
Mauritius was the first
SADC Member State to
phase out leaded fuel in August
2002.
In line with the commitment
made in 2002, the
Zambian government recently
advised all stakeholders
in the petroleum
sector that from April 2008
they planned to provide a
complete range of lead-free
fuels to suit all motor vehicles.
Two types of lead-free
petrol will be available on the
Zambian market and these
are unleaded petrol and lead
replacement petrol (LRP).
With this new development,
only Unleaded 91 and
LRP 91 petrol will be sold in
Zambia.
Both fuels are rated at 91
in the fuel octane rating.
The move to remove lead
from petrol in SADC gained
momentum after the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable
Development
(WSSD) in South
Africa, which resulted
in the launch of a Partnership
for Clean Fuels
and Vehicles.
The partnership
seeks to improve air
quality across the developing
world by encouraging
the deployment
of cleaner fuels,
such as unleaded and
low sulphur petrol and
diesel, and improved
technologies such as
catalytic converters
that can significantly
cut exhaust fumes.
Progress towards a
complete phase-out of leaded
fuel in the SADC region
has however been slow, with
most countries saying they
are not ready for the switch
to the so-called “cleaner”
fuels.
For example, Mozambique
and Zimbabwe say
they will phase out leaded
petrol only after they first
deal with logistical problems.


title:
Bio-fuels to boost
the Mozambican
economy

Abstract:
THE MOZAMBICAN government
has set aside unused
agricultural land for
the cultivation of jatropha –
a plant used for the production
of bio-diesel.

body:
THE MOZAMBICAN government
has set aside unused
agricultural land for
the cultivation of jatropha –
a plant used for the production
of bio-diesel.
Jatropha has the added
advantage of being droughtresistant,
it needs very little
water to flourish and thus
can be grown on previously
unused land.
The plant has been thriving
in Mozambique, with
current investors harvesting
just seven months after
planting. Convinced of the
success of the investment,
2500 ha have been planted.
In addition to direct economic
benefits, the projects
have created hundreds of
new jobs.
Although the levels of
production are still small,
most investors are hoping to
get into the export business
soon, and be players on the
world market for bioethanol
and bio-diesel.


Abstract:
THE LAUNCH of a SADC
Free Trade Area in August this
year will usher in a new era of
economic integration with an
enlarged market of more than
200 million people.

body:
THE LAUNCH of a SADC
Free Trade Area in August this
year will usher in a new era of
economic integration with an
enlarged market of more than
200 million people.
The Free Trade Area will be
officially launched in August
during the SADC Summit to
be hosted by South Africa,
which takes over the rotating
SADC chair.
When SADC leaders
signed the Trade Protocol in
1996, they signalled their intention
to bring down tariff
and non-tariff barriers to trade
in the region. That process
would begin in September
2000 when two-thirds of
Member States had ratified
the protocol.
Thus over the last eight
years, Member States have
been implementing the Trade
Protocol with a 2008 target to
ensure 85 percent of all product
lines are trading at zero
tariffs. The process involved,
among other issues, agreeing
on rules of origin and removal
of tariff and non-tariff barriers.
The rules of origin are now
in place and the SADC Certificate
of Origin is now increasingly
getting recognition in
Member States.
At the start of 2008, some
Member States were reportedly
lagging behind with regard
to removal of tariffs and nontariff
barriers to trade although
the SADC Secretariat
remains confident that come
August, all parties to the
Trade Protocol would have
complied.
However, not all of the 14
SADC Member States are parties
to the Free Trade Area as
Angola and the Democratic
Republic of Congo are currently
not applying the Trade
Protocol, and have asked for
more time.
For SADC Member States,
the Free Trade Area brings
both opportunities and challenges.
Many SADC economies
are too small to support a
large range of viable productive
investments and as such,
the Free Trade Area will provide the opportunity for an
enlarged domestic market
that can foster economic
growth through the
economies of scale and improved
efficiency.
At 25 percent, intra-SADC
trade is still low and is largely
concentrated in the Southern
African Customs Union
(SACU) countries - Botswana,
Lesotho, Namibia, South
Africa and Swaziland.
Official statistics further
show that SADC countries are
attracting only 1 percent of
global foreign direct investment,
a performance that is
greater than most sub-regions
in Africa, but still low.
Against this background,
SADC's move towards a Free
Trade Area becomes an attractive
option insofar as it will increase
the region's competitive
advantage and trade performance
as well as enhance
chances to attract foreign direct
investment.
The opportunities are not
limited to the Free Trade Area.
SADC's strategic plan envisages deeper economic integration
and cooperation through
the creation of a Customs
Union in 2010, a Common
Market by 2015, a Monetary
Union by 2016 and a Single
Currency by 2018.
However, progress towards
deeper economic integration
is hampered by lingering
fears among many
countries. These include the
need to protect infant industries
and fears that goods
from large exporting countries
such as South Africa
may swamp markets of
smaller economies leading to
collapse of their industries.
Beyond these fears, some
Member States are facing constraints
and challenges in their
quest to liberalise trade especially
in circumstances where
they relied heavily on customs
revenue. In such cases, a direct
compensation mechanism
may be necessary to cushion
national budgets and prevent
Member States from plunging
into a debt trap.
Other constraints hindering
intra-regional trade include
high transaction costs
owing, for instance, to inadequate
transport, information,
communications and energy
infrastructure as well as restrictive
customs and immigration
procedures.
It therefore comes as no
surprise that SADC has accorded
high priority to the
implementation of infrastructure
projects to support deeper
economic integration as
was the case at the 2007
SADC Summit in Lusaka
where leaders discussed such
issues.
Once fully functional, there
is no doubt that the Free
Trade Area will lead to continual
innovation, better products,
increased savings and investment,
better paying jobs
as well as enable more goods
to reach SADC consumers at
lower prices.


title:
US$20 billion needed for transport infrastructure

Abstract:
SADC IS seeking US$20 billion
for surface transport systems
and ports development
projects as it lays the road map
for accelerated intra-regional
trade and a customs union by
2010.

body:
SADC IS seeking US$20 billion
for surface transport systems
and ports development
projects as it lays the road map
for accelerated intra-regional
trade and a customs union by
2010.
The regional bloc has come
up with priority investment
areas in designated trade corridors
and is drafting the way
forward with the assistance of
international co-operating
partners on the SADC corridor
development programme.
At a high level ministerial
SADC corridors review meeting
recently held in Namibia, delegates explored institutional
structures required to effectively
implement infrastructure
development of corridors
at national, trans-boundary
and regional levels.
SADC's acting chief director
Remmy Makumbe said
that road, rail and ports development
and expansions will
require US$20 billion, funding
of which is expected to come
from Member States and cooperating
partners.
Makumbe said that intra-
SADC trade will necessitate a
vibrant transport infrastructure,
adding that countries along the shorelines and the
six landlocked SADC Member
States should be able to join
forces and create a seamless
transport infrastructure between
ports and the SADC
hinterland.
“We are also looking at the
status of implementation of
the corridors we have in
SADC and to what extent
have programmes to develop
these corridors been implemented,”
Makumbe said,
adding that in the medium
term, the region has targeted
to spend US$20 billion for surface
transport alone.


title:
China to construct railway across southern Africa

Abstract:
PLANS ARE underway by the
Chinese government to construct
a railway line across
southern Africa from Angola
on the western seaboard to the
United Republic of Tanzania
on the eastern coast of the sub
region.

body:
PLANS ARE underway by the
Chinese government to construct
a railway line across
southern Africa from Angola
on the western seaboard to the
United Republic of Tanzania
on the eastern coast of the sub
region.
The railway line, which will
run from Luanda to Dar es
Salaam, will reduce the dependence
on Durban and
Mombasa as key landing ports
for traders from the east.
In 2001, China pledged to
finance the rehabilitation of
the 1,860-kilometre-long Tanzania-
Zambia Railway
(Tazara) built by the Chinese
government in an aid grant in
the 1970s.
The railway links the Indian
Ocean port city of Dar es
Salaam in Tanzania and its
terminal of Kapiri Mposhi in
Zambia, which will then be
extended, passing through
the southern part of the Democratic
Republic of Congo
and ending up in Angola.
Zambia, is bound to benefit
immensely from the railway
line as its main export product,
copper, is currently being
transported from the Copperbelt
to Dar es Salaam and to
Durban in South Africa.
With plans underway to
rehabilitate the port of Dar
es Salaam, the railway line
will also help to place the
Tanzanian port city as the
main hub on the East
African seaboard.
The railway line is expected
to reduce cargo transportation time from Angola
and the Great Lakes region to
world markets.
Currently, cargo from Angola
has to go round the Cape
before heading out to markets
in the east.
The China International
Fund Ltd is undertaking a
US$300 million rehabilitation
of the Benguela railway line
in Angola, which was destroyed
during the civil war, a
development that is set to increase
trade between Member
States in the region.


title:
Surging oil prices
set to affect
business in the
region

Abstract:
BUSINESSES IN the
SADC region are bracing
for a difficulty second half
of the year as rapidly rising
oil prices look likely to
dent prospects for higher
economic growth.

body:
BUSINESSES IN the
SADC region are bracing
for a difficulty second half
of the year as rapidly rising
oil prices look likely to
dent prospects for higher
economic growth.
Economists have urged
businesses to be more innovative
and adopt more
energy efficient production
methods in the wake of rising
global oil prices that
peaked at US$139 a barrel
early June.
The problems facing the
oil markets are creating a
high level of uncertainty
and pushing up prices
around the world.
Southern African
economies are already feeling
the inflationary pinch,
in part because of increasing
transport and other operational
costs.
Consequently, rising oil
prices may slow the regional
economy this year,
which the African Development
Bank forecast
in May would
expand at the pace
of 6.5 percent per
annum.


title:
COSAFA secures 16 million rands sponsorship

Abstract:
THE COUNCIL of Southern
Africa Football Association
(COSAFA) has secured 16
million rands to stage this
year's COSAFA championship.
COSAFA President, Seketu
Patel, confirmed the development
from Seychelles,
adding that logistics were in
place to successfully stage
the prestigious regional
championship.

body:
THE COUNCIL of Southern
Africa Football Association
(COSAFA) has secured 16
million rands to stage this
year's COSAFA championship.
COSAFA President, Seketu
Patel, confirmed the development
from Seychelles,
adding that logistics were in
place to successfully stage
the prestigious regional
championship.
He said a consortium of regional
companies had put
their resources together to ensure
that the championship
was held this year.
“I am happy to announce
that the COSAFA championship
will finally take
place. I know there has been
a lot of doubt among our
member associations and
countries whether the championship
will take place or
not.”
The COSAFA president
said that it had been difficult
to raise the funds considering
that the regional
football governing body
had other commitments to
stage the men's under-17,
under-20 and women's
championships.
“We just need to secure a
long-term sponsorship by
finding one major sponsor
rather than relying on support
from different companies,”
Patel said.
South Africa is the reigning
champion after they defeated
Zambia 4-3 on penalties
in 2006.
Angola, Zimbabwe and
Zambia have each won the
championship three times
while South Africa has won it
once.
The COSAFA tournament
is very important as the region
prepares for the 2010
World Cup Soccer Showcase.


title:
Namibia launches 5-year
development programme

Abstract:
NAMIBIA HAS launched a
five-year country strategy
Paper and National Indicative
Programme which aims
at human development and
poverty alleviation.

body:
NAMIBIA HAS launched a
five-year country strategy
Paper and National Indicative
Programme which aims
at human development and
poverty alleviation.
The National Planning
Commission (NPC) of
Namibia and the Delegation
of the European Commission
(EC) to Namibia formally
launched the programme,
which will run between 2008
and 2013.
The EC will provide external
assistance of 104.9 million
Euros in that period. A substantial
part of the funds will
be allocated to rural development
and human resources
development.
In rural development, support
will be extended to rural
economic activities with a
view to benefit from improved
market access and poverty alleviation.
In human resources development,
support will increase
the supply of skilled labour to
meet labour market demands
and support national development
goals.
Despite positive Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) growth
rates in Namibia, the country
still requires external resources
to address poverty reduction,
human resources development,
HIV and AIDS
pandemic and other pressing
development challenges.


title:
SADC deploys 400+ observers for Zimbabwe
presidential run-off

Abstract:
SADC HAS doubled its election
observer mission for the
Zimbabwe presidential runoff
election on 27 June.

body:
SADC HAS doubled its election
observer mission for the
Zimbabwe presidential runoff
election on 27 June.
The run-off became necessary
after the 29 March election
did not produce an outright
winner. This is in line
with the country's electoral
law which requires the winning
candidate to have a fiftyplus-
one majority of valid
votes cast.
Having sent the largest
mission numbering 163 members
to observe the 29 March
harmonized elections, SADC
sent an even bigger team to
cover the run-off election.
“We had targeted 300 observers
but we will have more
than 400 on the polling day,”
said Rtd Lt-Col Thanki Mothae,
the director of the Organ
on Politics, Defence and Security
Cooperation directorate at
the SADC Secretariat.
Mothae was speaking as
the advance team of the SADC
Electoral Observer Mission
(SEOM) arrived in the country
in early June. He urged the observers
to be objective and observe
the laws of Zimbabwe
when they are carrying out
their duties.
“The main purpose of the
SADC mission is to help the
people of Zimbabwe through
this electoral process so that it
runs peacefully and smoothly.
“We are not here to take
sides. We are not here to create
confusion but to help the people
of Zimbabwe, therefore
the observers should observe
the laws of Zimbabwe when
discharging their duties and
avoid making individual
statements,” he said.
Mothae also highlighted
that as the SEOM they will be
working under the auspices of
SADC, in line with the SADC Principles and Guidelines
Governing Democratic Elections.
Angola leads this election
observer mission, as the current
head of the Troika for the
SADC Organ on Politics, Defence
and Security Cooperation.
An Election Observer Advance
Team consisting of technical
staff from SADC Member
States was deployed in the
country at the beginning of
June to prepare the ground for
the SEOM.
The advance team was led
by Natangwe Elia Angula
who is SADC Senior Strategic
Analyst for the Directorate of
Politics, Defence and Security
Cooperation.
The technical team studied
the logistical aspects that are
necessary in the election such
as the number of polling stations,
communication and
transport.
“It was after that preliminary
assessment that we were
able to determine the number
of observers needed and informed
the member countries
to nominate their observers,”
Mothae said.
In early May a SADC Ministerial
Committee of the
Organ on Politics, Defence
and Security Cooperation was
also in Zimbabwe to access the
political situation and the
preparations for the presidential
election run-off.
The committee, which was
accompanied by SADC Executive
Secretary Tomaz Salomão,
urged the parties contesting
the run-off to participate
in the election in full observation
of the country's
laws and the SADC Principles
and Guidelines governing
the conduct of democratic
elections.
The presidential run-off is
between the incumbent President
Robert Mugabe of the
ruling Zimbabwe African National
Union Patriotic Front
(Zanu PF) and Morgan Tsvangirai,
leader of the main faction
of the opposition Movement
for Democratic Change
(MDC-T).
A preliminary statement issued
by SEOM before the announcement
of results of the
first round of elections concluded
that Zimbabwe's harmonised
polls on 29 March
were “a peaceful and credible
expression of the will of the
people of Zimbabwe”.
These elections comprised
four ballot papers for presidential,
local council and two
houses of parliament (National
Assembly and Senate).
A SADC summit held in
Zambia on 13 April commended the people of Zimbabwe
for the “peaceful and
orderly manner in which they
conducted themselves before,
during and after the elections.”
The summit also commended
the government of
Zimbabwe for ensuring that
elections were conducted in a
peaceful environment and
urged ZEC to verify and release
results expeditiously in
“accordance with the due
process of law”.
The presidential election
results were announced by
ZEC on 2 May following what
the commission said was a
necessary meticulous verification
process.
The ZEC has announced
new regulations for the presidential
run-off, which are intended
to speed up the release
of the results.


Abstract:
ANGOLAN PRESIDENT
José Eduardo dos Santos has
confirmed that parliamentary
elections will be held on
5 September 2008 “across all
national territory”.

body:
ANGOLAN PRESIDENT
José Eduardo dos Santos has
confirmed that parliamentary
elections will be held on
5 September 2008 “across all
national territory”.
The announcement in
June followed a meeting of
the Council of the Republic,
a cross-party body chaired
by the president, which gave
final approval for the elections
after being briefed on
arrangements and preparations.
The elections will be the
first since the formal end of
the 27-year civil war in 2002,
and have been delayed for
more than a year to allow for
completion of voter registration,
a difficult logistical exercise
in a country still undertaking
post-war reconstruction.
Dos Santos, 65, is leader
of the Popular Movement for
the Liberation of Angola
(MPLA) and became president
of the country in 1979,
after the death of the founding
father of Angola, Dr
Agostinho Neto.
The last national elections
took place during a ceasefire
process in 1992 when the late
Jonas Savimbi of the National
Union for the Total Independence
of Angola (Unita)
stood against dos Santos and
lost the first round before refusing
to contest a run-off.
The next presidential election
in expected in 2009.


title:
SADC ministers accelerate progress towards
gender equality

Abstract:
SADC MINISTERS responsible
for Gender and Women's
Affairs met recently in the
Namibian capital, Windhoek,
to discuss the draft Protocol
on Gender and Development.

body:
SADC MINISTERS responsible
for Gender and Women's
Affairs met recently in the
Namibian capital, Windhoek,
to discuss the draft Protocol
on Gender and Development.
The objective of the meeting
was to prepare for presentation
of the protocol to the
Summit of Heads of State and
Government of the 14 Member
States in August.
The agenda, with the theme
"SADC Accelerating Progress
in Achieving Gender Equality",
allowed the gender ministers to
reflect on the results of the regional
meeting of SADC senior
officials held in Livingstone,
Zambia, in December 2007
with the objective of fine tuning
the contents of the protocol.
Namibian President Hifikepunye
Pohamba said in
his opening address that
progress has been made in
sensitising citizens on gender
issues, but there is still need
for a legally binding instrument
to accelerate the process.
Pohamba's statement was
presented by the former gender
minister, Netumbo Nandi-
Ndaitwah, who is now the
Minister of Environment and
Tourism.
The gender ministers' discussion
resulted from the decision
of SADC leaders at their
Summit last year in Zambia to
defer signing the draft protocol
until wider consultations
could be held, especially on
implementation of targets.
The draft was referred back
to SADC ministers responsible
for gender for further national
consultations.
Underscoring the importance
of reviewing the
draft so as to reach a
consensus before the
protocol is resubmitted
to Summit in
2008, the SADC Gender
Unit prepared a roadmap
towards approval of the protocol,
with time-bound actions
to be undertaken before resubmission.
The meeting of SADC ministers
in Windhoek was the
third step in the agreed
process.
The first step was the meeting
of senior officials in December
2007, while the second
consisted of national consultations
with all stakeholders
from January to March 2008.
Before the document can be
presented at the Summit,
however, it must be discussed at a meeting of justice ministers,
which is the fourth step
in the roadmap.
A protocol is the most binding
of SADC legal instruments
and shows the full commitment
of SADC governments
to address challenges faced by
women in the region.


title:
Namibia reaches target of 30 percent women in National Assembly

Abstract:
NAMIBIA HAS become the
fourth country in the region to
achieve 30 percent female representation
in parliament.
Three more women were
appointed to parliament in
Namibia in May, bringing to
24 the number of women out
of a total 78 members in the
National Assembly.

body:
NAMIBIA HAS become the
fourth country in the region to
achieve 30 percent female representation
in parliament.
Three more women were
appointed to parliament in
Namibia in May, bringing to
24 the number of women out
of a total 78 members in the
National Assembly.
This gives women 31 percent
of the seats, up from the
previous 27 percent.
The women were appointed
on party lines to replace
three members of parliament
who had died or resigned, two
from the ruling SWAPO party
and one from the opposition.
Under Namibia's electoral
system of Proportional Representation
(PR), the electorate
votes for party lists containing
candidates presented by each
party. If a candidate cannot
take up their seat then the next
person on the list is normally
appointed.
Some political parties in
countries using the PR system
select women candidates for
every second or third place on
their list to ensure equitable
representation.
Namibia has shown a consistent
commitment to ensuring
women's equal participation
in politics and decisionmaking
as evidenced by the
upward trend in the number
of women in parliament.
At the last general election
in 2004, the number of women
in Parliament increased from
20 percent to 27 percent. At the
same time Namibia appointed
a woman, Libertina Amathila
as Deputy Prime Minister.
Women were also appointed
to the positions of Deputy
Speaker of the National Assembly,
Minister of Justice and
Attorney General, as well as
Minster of Finance.
With the latest appointments,
Namibia becomes the
fourth SADC country to attain
the target set out in the SADC
Declaration on Gender and
Development in 1997, joining
Mozambique, South Africa
and the United Republic of Tanzania in fulfilling this
quota.
The voluntary party quota,
and the PR system, is also
used in South Africa and
Mozambique, and thus it is no
coincidence that these two
have the highest representation
of women in parliament
in the region.
Tanzania has a constituency
system of First Past The
Post (FPTP) contested by
both men and women, but
the constitution guarantees
that one-third additional
seats are reserved for women,
appointed under a PR system
based on the number of seats
each party wins in the election.
Women Representation in SADC Member States in the
Last Two Election

Country
Election Year Women MPs % Election Year Women MPs % Electoral system



Angola - - 1992 9.5 PR

Botswana 1999 18.2 2004 11.1 FPTP

Congo DRC - - 2006 12 FPTP

Lesotho 2002 12 2007 23 FPTP

Madagascar 2002 - 2007 7.9 FPTP

Malawi 1999 8.3 2004 17 FPTP

Mauritius 2000 5.7 2005 17 FPTP

Mozambique 1999 28.6 2004 33.3 PR

Namibia 1999 19.2 2004 24.4 PR

South Africa 1999 30 2004 37.8 PR

Swaziland 1998 7.3 2003 19 FPTP


Tanzania 2000 16.3 2005 30.3 FPTP; PR*

Zambia 2001 12.7 2006 14.7 FPTP

Zimbabwe 2005 15.8 2008 13 FPTP
Compiled by SARDC WIDSAA 2008
	
*Constitution of United Republic of Tanzania guarantees at least one-third seats for women under
	additional PR system
	Key: PR - Proportional Representation
	
FPTP - First Past The Post


title:
Africa Day: Marking the
progress of the continent

Abstract:
AFRICAN LEADERS and political activists gathered in Ghana on 15 April 1958,
for the first conference of independent African states, hosted by Kwame Nkrumah,
just one year after leading Ghana to independence on 6 March 1957.

body:
AFRICAN LEADERS and political activists gathered in Ghana on 15 April 1958,
for the first conference of independent African states, hosted by Kwame Nkrumah,
just one year after leading Ghana to independence on 6 March 1957.
This conference was significant in that it represented the first Pan-African conference
held on African soil, representing the collective expression of African resistance
to colonialism, and was hosted by the first sub-Saharan African country
to gain independence from a colonial power.
African Unity
“To many people, the unity of African states which we regard as
the primary basis of our African policy appears visionary and
unattainable. We do not hold this view. The unity of African
states can be a reality and it will be achieved earlier than many
of us suppose.” Nkrumah
The previous conference, in 1945, was held in London where Nkrumah helped
George Padmore to organize the fifth Pan-African Congress, where he drafted the
“Declaration of the Colonial Peoples of the World”.
Nkrumah returned home in 1947 to engage in active politics and formed the
Convention People's Party in 1949, saying: “In all political struggles there come
rare moments, hard to distinguish but fatal to let slip, when all must be set upon
a hazard, and out of the simple man is ordained strength.”
Just a year after Independence, he hosted the First Conference of Independent
African States. There were eight, including Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, Libya,
Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia. These were the total representation for Africa at the
United Nations.
Representatives of the National Liberation Front of Algeria and the Union of
Cameroonian Peoples also attended.
The conference called for the founding of African Freedom Day, a day to “mark
each year the onward progress of the liberation movement, and to symbolise the
determination of the people of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination
and exploitation.”
Five years later another historic meeting took place in Ethiopia, after many
more countries had gained political independence.
On 25 May 1963, leaders of 32 independent African states met in Addis Ababa to
form the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which is now the African Union
(AU).
By then, more than two-thirds of the continent had achieved independence.
At this historic meeting, the date of Africa Freedom Day was changed from 15
April to 25 May and Africa Freedom Day was declared African Liberation Day, now
celebrated across the continent as Africa Day.
The commemoration provides a platform for remembering African history,
from the rich pre-colonial development period through the dark days of slavery
and colonialism right up to the liberation of southern Africa and the end of the
apartheid system in South Africa in May 1994, more than 30 years after the formation
of the OAU and its Liberation Committee.
Nkrumah hoped the OAU would become the foundation for an African Union
government, and it did, 40 years after he led the people of the former Gold Coast
to independence as Ghana.
The African Union is now established with a permanent Commission to run its
operations, a development arm called the New Partnership for Africa's Development
(NEPAD), and a Pan-African Parliament.


Abstract:
AT THE  end of 1958, Kwame Nkrumah hosted another
conference, the All-African People's Conference, in Accra,
attended by men who were to become notable political
leaders, including Patrice Lumumba, Julius Nyerere and
others. They returned home determined to end colonial
rule and to make their territories base areas for the liberation
movements.

body:
AT THE  end of 1958, Kwame Nkrumah hosted another
conference, the All-African People's Conference, in Accra,
attended by men who were to become notable political
leaders, including Patrice Lumumba, Julius Nyerere and
others. They returned home determined to end colonial
rule and to make their territories base areas for the liberation
movements.
</table
Nkrumah addressed many of Africa's contemporary
challenges in his books, written in the 1960s, including I
Speak of Freedom, The Struggle Continues, and Africa Must
Unite. He could see many of the challenges ahead when he
wrote that “Ghana's independence is meaningless unless it
is linked with the total liberation of Africa… and with the
projection of the African personality in the international
community.“

In the latter he wrote of the dangers of balkanisation, including
potential division and conflict, the vital need for
political unification, and All-African economic planning.

In Challenge of the Congo, Nkrumah showed “how
meaningless political independence could be without
economic freedom and how necessary it was for African
solutions to be found for African problems.”


body:
Public holidays in SADC
June - August 2008
1 June International Children's Day Angola
14 June Freedom Day Malawi
16 June Youth Day South Africa
24 June Fisherman's Day DRC
25 June Independence Day Mozambique
26 June Independence Day Madagascar
30 June Independence Day DRC
1 July Sir Seretse Khama Day Botswana
3 July Public Holiday Botswana
6 July Independence Day Malawi
7 July Heroes Day Zambia
7 July International Trade Fair Tanzania
8 July Unity Day Zambia
17 July King's Birthday Lesotho
19 July President's Day Botswana
20 July Public Holiday Botswana
22 July Public Holiday Swaziland
1 August Parents' Day DRC
4 August Farmers' Day Zambia
8 August Farmer's Day Tanzania
9 August National Women's Day South Africa
11 August Heroes' Day Zimbabwe
12 August Defence Forces Day Zimbabwe
15 August Assumption Day Madagascar, Mauritius
26 August Heroes' Day Namibia


body:
EVENTS DIARY 2008
June 2008


2-4, Zambia
14th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts (ICE)

 On this occasion, the ICE membership will be expanded to
co-opt other relevant ministries including those with specific
responsibilities towards the Free Trade Area.



4-6, South Africa
World Economic Forum on Africa

The 18th World Economic Forum on Africa will discuss the
impacts of global businesses on the continent. Discussions will
review the latest initiatives to tackle the business climate,
physical and social infrastructure as well as insights into
emerging priorities of new business leaders.


7-12, South Africa
12th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on
Environment

The conference is the highest organ of the African Ministerial
Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), whose members
are African ministers responsible for the environment. AMCEN
has led the process for the development of the action plan for
the Environment Initiative for the New Partnership for Africa's
Development (NEPAD) and meets to discuss and agree on
programmes and initiatives to facilitate the effective
implementation of its mandate towards environmental
protection in Africa.




17-20, Swaziland
SADC Integrated Committee of Ministers (ICM)

The ICM is comprised of least two ministers from each SADC
Member State. Its role is to ensure proper policy guidance and
coordination of cross-sectoral activities of SADC. The meeting
will review the activities of SADC directorates to ensure the
rapid implementation of programmes that would otherwise
wait for the Council of Ministers.

30-1 July, Egypt
11th Africa Union Summit

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government from the
African Union's 53 member countries will meet in Sharm El
Scheikh, Egypt for its eleventh ordinary session. This year's
theme is, “Meeting the Millennium Development Goals on
Water and Sanitation”. The meeting will be preceded by the
Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives and the
Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers.



July 2008


1-2, South Africa
International Conference on Knowledge and Information
Intermediaries

The conference is meant to put a spotlight on the role of
research brokers and intermediaries and the contribution they
can make in supporting and enabling evidence-based pro-poor
policy and practice. Under the theme, “Locating the power of
in-between”, the conference is organised by the Human
Sciences Research Council of South Africa and the Institute of
Development Studies, United Kingdom (UK).


2-4, France
10th Africa Energy Forum

Launched in 1999, the Africa Energy Forum is Africa's premier
annual power and gas investment and business forum, where
governments and power utility companies discuss the
international energy situation with focus on Africa's power and
gas sectors.



Abstract:
SADC LAUNCHES its free trade area this August,
signalling the creation of one of the largest
free trade zones on the African continent with
some 250 million people.

body:
SADC LAUNCHES its free trade area this August,
signalling the creation of one of the largest
free trade zones on the African continent with
some 250 million people.
The official launch is expected during the
28th SADC Summit in South Africa, a historic
event that will usher in a new era of economic
integration and rapid industrialisation of the
sub-region through expanded trading opportunities.
Premised on the gradual removal of barriers
to trade, the Free Trade Area (FTA) is a culmination
of an eight-year process that started
with the signing of the SADC Trade Protocol in
1996, which came into force in 2000.
In addition to the Trade Protocol, SADC
Member States have adopted the Regional Indicative
Strategic Development Plan (RISDP),
which outlines the roadmap for further regional
economic integration.
The RISDP outlines economic integration
targets that include the establishment of an
FTA in 2008, a Customs Union by 2010, Common 
Market by 2015 and creation of a Monetary
Union by 2016, while a regional central bank
and common currency are expected by 2018.
Thus the creation of an FTA this August signifies
the achievement of a major milestone towards
the quest for deeper economic integration
in SADC.
The FTA is rooted in the classical economics
principle of comparative advantage. The crude
argument is that Member States will produce
for export only those goods for which they have
a comparative advantage while importing from
regional neighbours goods that they cannot
produce more efficiently at home.
Industrialists will enjoy enhanced market access
as well as benefit from economies of scale
as they produce for a bigger regional, as opposed
to a national market.
On the other hand, consumers will have access
to a cheaper and wider product range on
supermarket shelves as goods would now
enter national boundaries free of customs duties.
An FTA provides an ideal
environment for rapid industrialization
and modernization
as firms up productivity
levels to maintain a competitive
edge over others.
These assumptions are of
course burdened by many
complexities in the everyday
conduct of international trade
and realities at the national
level.
For example, with few exceptions,
SADC Member State
exports are not only similar
but mostly primary and unfinished
goods while imports are
mainly capital and intermediate
goods.
Furthermore, the majority
of SADC economies are less
developed, supported by nascent
industries which still require
some nurturing before
they are exposed to the chill
winds of international trade.
The lingering fears that
goods from large economies
such as South Africa may
swamp weaker economies
leading to collapse of their industries
have tended to slow
progress towards set targets.
In an attempt to address
these fears, SADC has adopted
the principle of variable
geometry, which allows for
asymmetrical trade liberalization
based on the level of economic
development in each
country.
This approach has allowed
South Africa, which is the
most developed economy,
along with its fellow members
in the Southern African Customs
Union (SACU) -
Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia
and Swaziland - to liberalise
faster than the rest.
Since 2000, Member States
have been gradually removing
tariff and nontariff
barriers to trade
with the aim of
achieving an 85 percent
threshold of intra-regional trade at zero
tariffs by 2008.
The remaining 15 percent
constitutes mainly sensitive
products such as textiles,
clothing and motor vehicles,
which are to be liberalized by
2012. Few products such as
precious and strategic metals
(gold, silver and platinum)
and second hand goods have
been excluded from liberalization.
Principally, the FTA will
allow goods originating from
SADC Member States to enter
neighbouring country
economies free of customs duties.
To qualify for duty-free,
goods have to meet certain criteria
as spelt out in the agreed
rules of origin.
While growing, intra-
SADC trade is still low at
around 25 percent. Much of
that trade is concentrated in
the SACU region while most
international trade is still taking
place under bilateral
agreements among fellow
SADC Member States or with
former colonial powers with
limited utilization of the Trade
Protocol.
Intra-SADC trade is also
constrained by lack of infrastructure.
It therefore comes as
no surprise that SADC leaders
have placed high priority on
the development of regional
infrastructure.
In light of the FTA and the
Customs Union, the need for
more efficient and seamless
transport corridors that better
connect the region has become
more important than ever before.
New corridors are expected
to complement traditional
surface routes which were historically
designed to ferry
goods to and from the rest of
the world via the regional sea
ports. These are currently not
sufficient to facilitate interstate
movement of goods. 
Key Export and Import Commodities of
SADC Member States
Member State
Major Exports
Major Imports
Angola
Crude oil, diamonds, refined pe-
Machinery and electrical equip-
troleum products, gas, coffee,
ment, vehicles and spare parts;
sisal, fish and fish products, tim-
medicines, food, textiles, military
ber, cotton.
goods.
Botswana
Diamonds, copper, nickel, soda
Foodstuffs, machinery, electrical
ash, meat.
goods, transport equipment, tex-
tiles, fuel and petroleum prod-
ucts, wood and paper products,
metal and metal products.
DRC
Diamonds, copper, crude oil,
Foodstuffs, mining and other ma-
coffee, cobalt.
chinery, transport equipment,
fuels.
Lesotho
Manufactures 75% (clothing,
Food; building materials, vehicles,
footwear), wool and mohair, food
machinery, medicines, petroleum
and live animals
products.
Madagascar
Coffee, vanilla, cloves, shellfish,
Capital goods, petroleum, con-
sugar, cotton cloth, chromite, pe-
sumer goods, food.
troleum products.
Malawi
Tobacco 60%, tea, sugar, cotton,
Food, petroleum products, semi
coffee, peanuts, wood products,
manufactures, consumer goods,
apparel.
transportation equipment.
Mauritius
Clothing and textiles, sugar, cut
Manufactured goods, capital
flowers, molasses.
equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum
products, chemicals.
Mozambique
Aluminium, prawns, cashews,
Machinery and equipment, vehi-
cotton, sugar, citrus, timber, bulk
cles, fuel, chemicals, metal prod-
electricity.
ucts, foodstuffs, textiles.
Namibia
Diamonds, copper, gold, zinc,
Foodstuffs, petroleum products
lead, uranium; cattle, processed
and fuel, machinery and equip-
fish, karakul skins.
ment, chemicals.
South Africa
Gold, diamonds, platinum, other
Machinery and equipment,
metals and minerals, machinery
chemicals, petroleum products,
and equipment.
scientific instruments, foodstuffs.
Swaziland
Soft drink concentrates, sugar,
Motor vehicles, machinery, trans-
wood pulp, cotton yarn, refriger-
port equipment, foodstuffs, petro-
ators, citrus and canned fruit.
leum products, chemicals.
Tanzania
Gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manu-
Consumer goods, machinery and
factured cotton.
transportation equipment, indus-
trial raw materials, crude oil.
Zambia
Copper/cobalt 64%, electricity;
Machinery, transportation equip-
tobacco, flowers, cotton.
ment, petroleum products, electric-
ity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing.
Zimbabwe
Cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroal-
Machinery and transport equip-
loys, textiles/clothing.
ment, other manufactures, chem-
icals, fuels.


title:
Implementation of SADC Trade Protocol
on track

Abstract:
THE IMPLEMENTATION of
the SADC Trade Protocol has
been a long and painstaking regional
process that will continue
beyond the formal launch of the
Free Trade Area expected in August.

body:
THE IMPLEMENTATION of
the SADC Trade Protocol has
been a long and painstaking regional
process that will continue
beyond the formal launch of the
Free Trade Area expected in August.
Since 1996 when the Trade
Protocol was signed, coming
into force in 2000 following a
ratification process, 12 SADC
Member States have signed up
to the protocol and are therefore
part of the Free Trade Area
(FTA), with the exception of Angola
and the Democratic Republic
of Congo who have asked for
more time before joining the
FTA.
The main instrument of trade
liberalization as provided for in
the protocol has been the elimination
of customs tariffs and
non-tariff barriers on the bulk of
intra-SADC trade.
Once the Trade Protocol
came into force in 2000, the first
major step was for Member
States to undertake negotiations
for tariff phase-down which entails
gradual removal of customs
duties.
The negotiating process was
conducted through the “request-
offer approach” under the
auspices of the Trade Negotiating
Forum, which met regularly
as provided for in the Trade Protocol.
Critical to the negotiating
process was the principle of
asymmetry, which was born out
of the realization that, among
other issues, SADC Member
States were at varying levels of
economic development. For
purposes of implementation of
the Trade Protocol, Member
States were put into the following
categories:
 Developed Countries (mainly
South Africa but de facto,
Southern African Customs
Union - SACU);
 Developing Countries (Mauritius
and Zimbabwe) and;
 Least Developed Countries --
LDCs (being the remainder i.e.
Angola, DRC, Madagascar,
Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania
and Zambia).


Based on these clusters,
SADC pursued a tariff phasedown
programme at variable
scales of speed in which the developed
countries cluster was
expected to generally front-load
their tariff reductions to achieve
the “substantially all trade”
threshold by about year-five of
implementation, that is by 2005.
The developing countries
cluster was expected to generally
mid-load their tariff reductions
to achieve the same threshold
by about year seven or eight
of implementation, that is by
2007-8 while the last category,
the LDCs, was expected to backload
their tariff reductions to beyond
the 8-year threshold but
not to exceed 12 years.
However, for category A and
B products (see box), tariffs were
to reach the zero percent level by
2008 in line with the World Trade
Organization requirement which
stipulates that substantially all
trade should be free in an FTA.
The “substantially all trade”
threshold for SADC is made up
of 85 percent of all products, constituting category A and B
products but excluding category
C products.

Product Categorization for SADC Tariff Phase-down

Product category Description

A Products whose tariffs would move to 0% (or
were already 0%) at start of the phase-down
process, i.e. in 2000
B Products subject to tariff phase-down to 0%
over an eight-year period to 2008
C Sensitive products, phase-down over 12-year
period to 2012
E Excluded from preferential trade

A Mid-Term Review commissioned
by SADC in 2004 revealed
that Member States were
implementing the Trade Protocol
but progress was generally
slow. One of the key recommendations
to ensure compliance
was that Member States were to
effect tariff phase-downs on the
1st of January every year.
An audit done by the Southern
African Trade Hub for the
SADC Secretariat indicated that
as of February 2008, Mauritius,
Mozambique, SACU countries,
United Republic of Tanzania,
Zambia and Zimbabwe had
gazetted their tariff offers or issued
notices effecting the 2008
tariff phase-down. Malawi
would consider further reductions
during the 2008/09 budget
while Madagascar only acceded
to the Protocol in 2006 and is allowed
more time to catch up.
In addition to removal of tariffs,
Member States have also
agreed to several other trade facilitation
measures such as the
elimination of non-tariff barriers
to trade. Removal of non-tariff
barriers involves harmonization
of customs rules and procedures,
the harmonization of sanitary
and phyto-sanitary measures as well as adoption and implementation
of common rules of origin.
Member States are currently
developing a model Customs Act
that will facilitate the harmonization
of customs regulations and
procedures. Work on the SADC
Customs Bond Guarantee
Scheme has been completed
while a decision is expected soon
on the Single Customs Document
and the Regional Goods Transit
System, both of which have already
been piloted.
Given that not all products
qualify for duty-free under an
FTA, a considerable amount of
time was spent on negotiating
the rules of origin, which were
eventually agreed as being
product specific. A SADC Certificate
of Origin, which authenticates
goods that originate from
the region, is already in use in
Member States.
The rules of origin are to ensure
that goods not originating
from the region do not enjoy tariff
preference. They are also to
ensure that the region is not
flooded with imports from third
countries.
While considerable work has
gone into negotiating and agreeing
regional instruments of the
FTA, the focus will now shift to
the national level where compliance
matters most.


title:
States face overlapping membership decision

Abstract:
WITH THE SADC region
moving closer towards a Customs
Union, the question of
overlapping membership is
becoming more pertinent.

body:
WITH THE SADC region
moving closer towards a Customs
Union, the question of
overlapping membership is
becoming more pertinent.
A Tripartite Task Force involving
SADC, the Common
Market for East and Southern
Africa (COMESA) and the
East African Community
(EAC) has been established to
find ways of harmonizing
trade regimes of the three
trading blocs.
The work of the task force
will feed into a Tripartite Summit
expected in October 2008.
Membership overlaps exist
in SADC, COMESA and EAC,
and challenges have been created
by the fact that all three
plan to create customs unions,
a situation that presents technical
challenges as a country
cannot belong to more than
one customs union.
With the SADC Free Trade
Area (FTA) taking effect this
year, momentum has now
gathered towards completion
of a Custom Union in 2010.


Comesa, which created its
own FTA in 2004 plans to
launch its Customs Union by
December 2008, while plans
for an EAC Customs Union
are also underway.
All members of the Southern
African Customs Union
(SACU) belong to SADC,
which means that with the
creation of a SADC Customs
Union, the SACU arrangement
automatically falls away.
Seven SADC countries –
Angola, DRC, Malawi, Mauritius,
Swaziland, Zambia and
Zimbabwe – are members of
both SADC and Comesa. The
United Republic of Tanzania is
a member of the EAC.
Overlapping membership
presents challenges,
particularly
when trading blocs
move towards deeper  levels of economic integration.
For example, Zambia belongs
to both SADC and
Comesa. Under the SADC
Protocol on Trade, Zambia is
to extend duty-free treatment
to South African products.
However, because of its
Comesa membership, Zambia
is to implement a common external tariff in line with the
Comesa Customs Union,
which excludes South Africa.
In essence, Zambia has agreed
to simultaneously promote
free trade with South Africa
and maintain Comesa tariffs
against that same country.
The multiple membership
conundrum has also fragmented SADC countries during
negotiations for Economic
Partnership Agreements
(EPAs) with the European
Union with some Member
States negotiating outside the
SADC umbrella.


title:
Zimbabwe, Zambia sign agreement
on border post

Abstract:
ZAMBIA AND Zimbabwe have
signed a bilateral agreement,
which will result in the transformation
of Chirundu into a onestop
border post.

body:
ZAMBIA AND Zimbabwe have
signed a bilateral agreement,
which will result in the transformation
of Chirundu into a onestop
border post.
The project is in line with plans
for regional economic integration
under SADC and Comesa.
Speaking at the signing of the
agreement in Harare, Zimbabwe's
Industry and International Trade
Minister, Obert Mpofu, said, “The
coming into fruition of the onestop
border concept is an important
milestone towards deepening
the level of economic integration.”
The agreement will see the
two countries increasing trade by
20 percent while at the same time
saving over US$450 million
through reduced transit times.
Speaking at the same occasion,
Zambian Minister for
Commerce, Trade and Industry,
Felix Mutati, said, “Whilst the
signing of the agreement will
ensure the consolidation and
deepening of economic integration
within the realm of the
Comesa/SADC 2008 and 2010
goals, it is critical that the underlining
challenges of multiple
agencies and clearing procedures
are addressed.”
Some of the envisaged benefits
would be the reduction of
time spent at the border posts,
reduced costs of doing business
while indirectly dealing with
the socio-economic issues that
were arising as a result of delays
at the border post.


title:
Trade pact boosts
SACU ties with South
America

Abstract:
THE SOUTHERN African Customs
Union (SACU) has finally
concluded a preferential trade
pact with the South American
trading bloc, Mercosur, after
nearly three years of negotiations.

body:
THE SOUTHERN African Customs
Union (SACU) has finally
concluded a preferential trade
pact with the South American
trading bloc, Mercosur, after
nearly three years of negotiations.
The deal is an extension of
the original trade arrangement
between SACU and Mercosur --
which comprises Argentina,
Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay -
- concluded in 2004 but was
deemed lacking in many areas.
SACU's chief trade negotiator,
Xavier Carim, recently said
all technical negotiations had
been concluded on the deal,
which includes 2000 product
lines.
The agreement would now
be submitted to the national
authorities to ensure compliance
with national laws, after
which a date would be set for
ministerial signature and ratification.
But a large portion of goods
manufactured in the two trade
regions will still face tariff barriers
upon entry, notably automotive
products, which remain
heavily protected in some regional
countries such as South
Africa and Namibia.
New-generation issues such
as services and investment were
also not included.
Carim said, however, that the
agreement included a provision
for the future broadening of the
deal, should the parties wish to
pursue that.
The deal is expected to be in
force before the end of the year.


Abstract:
AS SOUTHERN Africa takes
regional integration to unprecedented
levels with the
inauguration of the Free
Trade Area (FTA) in August
2008, the need for efficient,
seamless and cost-effective
infrastructure corridors has
become more urgent than
ever before.

body:
AS SOUTHERN Africa takes
regional integration to unprecedented
levels with the
inauguration of the Free
Trade Area (FTA) in August
2008, the need for efficient,
seamless and cost-effective
infrastructure corridors has
become more urgent than
ever before.
Trade in SADC is hampered
by the multiplicity of
borders and the delays at
many border posts while documents
and cargoes are
checked.
As noted by the Director of
Infrastructure and Services
Directorate at SADC Secretariat,
Remmy Makumbe, the
success of a free trade zone
hinges upon an effective plan
to implement infrastructure
development corridors at national
and regional levels.
Makumbe further underscored
the need to mobilise
resources in order to address
the issue of transport infrastructure,
especially roads,
rail and ports. This he said
will require US$20 billion
funding which is expected to
come from Member States
and co-operating partners.
The increase in intra-
SADC trade requires a vibrant
transport infrastructure
while seamless networks are
needed to interconnect landlocked
countries as well as
link them to the major ports.
Historically, the SADC region
has had several traditional
surface transport corridors
operating as natural routes to
and from the sea. These have
been used primarily for export
of raw materials from the region
to the rest of the world as
well as import of finished
products from the rest of the
world into the region.
However, the operations
of some of these corridors,
said Makumbe, have been hampered to varying degrees
by infrastructure bottlenecks
such as “poor roads, bridges,
curves, border infrastructure
layout and logistics, as well
as lengthy and unnecessarily
complicated and non-harmonised
customs border procedures
and documents.”
“The performance of these
corridors, when benchmarked
against transport corridors
around the world, has
revealed poor levels of efficiency,
poor turnaround and
hence high costs of transportation,
resulting in poor
competitiveness of exports
from the region in global
markets as well as high landing
costs of imported products
in the region,” said
Makumbe, who is also the
Acting Chief Director of
SADC.
Inevitably, these high costs
have been passed on to the
final consumer by the various
service providers. This situation
has given rise to a relatively
lower quality of life for
the majority of SADC citizens.
In response to a directive
by the 2007 SADC Summit,
the Secretariat is developing a
SADC Corridor Strategy in
consultation with the Member
States. Makumbe said
that SADC has launched a
study to put together the best
corridor practices of the region
as well as those from
elsewhere around the world as an integral part of the
wider corridor strategies to
develop and modernize all
the SADC Corridors.
The SADC Corridors that
are being developed in conjunction
with the Member
States include: the Dar es
Salaam Corridor, Mtwara Development
Corridor, Nacala
Development Corridor, Shire-
Zambezi Waterway, Beira
Corridor, Limpopo Corridor,
Maputo Corridor, Libombo
Development Corridor,
Lesotho Railway, Trans-Kalahari
Corridor, Walvis Bay
Corridor, Trans-Caprivi Corridor,
North-South Corridor,
Trans-Kunene Corridor, Lobito
Corridor, and the Malanje
Corridor.
The proposed Kazungula
Bridge, which is meant to link
Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe,
is one project that is
pivotal in stimulating trade
within the context of the
SADC Free Trade Area and
Customs Union in 2010.
“I am convinced that even
though the three countries
are implementing this project,
its impact will be felt in the
[SADC] region as a whole,”
said Makumbe.
Consultations are underway
on the implementation
of the Kazungula Bridge Project
and a contract is expected
to be signed once all outstanding
issues are agreed
upon by the parties involved.
The construction of the
Kazungula Bridge is meant to
replace the existing ferry,
which constitutes a major
bottleneck to free movement
of persons and goods between
the three countries.


Abstract:
SADC TRANSPORT Ministers
have raised concern over
the poor state of roads in the
region that is constraining the
flow of transport.

body:
SADC TRANSPORT Ministers
have raised concern over
the poor state of roads in the
region that is constraining the
flow of transport.
At a recent meeting in
Namibia convened to review
progress on corridor development,
the ministers said that
poor infrastructure in the region
is responsible for the
high cost of goods especially
in landlocked countries of the
region.
“Roads in the northern
and central corridors need to be fixed as they make it impossible
for the easy flow of
transport and movement of
goods and services,” the ministers
agreed.
The ministers also noted
that there must be a master
plan for the modernization of
the railways for the region,
adding that a modern highspeed
railway line for the region
will ease the burden
from the roads and increase
the speed of movement of
bulk cargo into and outside
the region.


title:
AU defers continental government to next year

Abstract:
AFRICAN LEADERS have deferred
their discussion of a
union government until January
next year after failing to reach a
consensus at their Summit in
Egypt in July.

body:
AFRICAN LEADERS have deferred
their discussion of a
union government until January
next year after failing to reach a
consensus at their Summit in
Egypt in July.
A high-level expert group of
12 heads of state was established
at the 10th African Union
(AU) Summit in Ghana early
this year, specifically to accelerate
the process of establishing a
union government but consensus
remains elusive.
Heads of State and Government
attending the 11th Session
of the AU Summit on 30 June
and 1 July in Egypt, decided to
defer the discussion to their next
summit in January 2009, to be
held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In the discussions to date,
African leaders have retained different
perspectives on the timeframe
for implementation, with
Libya and some West African
states including Senegal pressing
for the immediate establishment
of a union government and appointment
of ministers.
Other countries, including
South Africa, Ethiopia and most
of eastern and southern Africa
have adopted a more cautious
approach to implementation,
wanting more consensus and
clarity on the operations and
mandate of such a government.
While the AU is agreed on
the movement towards a union
government, there are different
views on the timing and model
of governance.
East and southern Africa advocate
strengthening the Regional
Economic Communities
(RECs) as building blocks, taking
time to build regional economies.
Libya and Senegal are insisting
on immediate transformation
to a United States of Africa,
advocating a top-down approach
starting with the formation
of a union government and
election of its leader as a matter
of urgency, to replace the current
AU Commission.
“We are going to announce the
union government next January,”
Senegalese President Abdoulaye
Wade said after the Summit.
The areas of divergence recall
the original debates at the founding
Summit of the Organisation
of African Unity (OAU) in May
1963 when President Kwame
Nkrumah of Ghana wanted immediate
unification of the few
countries that were independent,
in a pan-African government.
President Julius Nyerere of
the United Republic of Tanzania
was equally eloquent in advocating
a “brick-by-brick” approach,
starting with the pursuance of
political independence for the remaining
countries under colonial
rule or apartheid, which then included
most of southern Africa.
The current debate was reignited
after the completion of political
independence marked by the end of apartheid rule in South Africa
in 1994, signalling the achievement
of political independence
and the subsequent transformation
of the OAU to the AU.
At the conclusion of the Summit,
African leaders expressed
their commitment to national
strategies and action plans for
achieving the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) target
for water and sanitation over
the next seven years.
AU Summit Resolution On Zimbabwe

The African Union Assembly, meeting in its 11th Ordinary Session held on June 30 to July
1, 2008 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt,

DEEPLY CONCERNED with the prevailing situation in Zimbabwe;

DEEPLY CONCERNED with the negative reports of SADC, the African Union and the
Pan-African Parliament observers on the Zimbabwean Presidential run-off election held
on June 27, 2008;

DEEPLY CONCERNED about the violence and the loss of life that has occurred in Zimbabwe.

CONSIDERING the urgent need to prevent further worsening of the situation and with a
view to avoid spread of conflict with the consequential negative impact on the country and
the sub-region;

FURTHER CONSIDERING the need to create an environment conducive for democracy,
as well as the development of the people of Zimbabwe;

EXPRESSING its appreciation to SADC, and its Organ on Politics, Defence and Security
Co-operation, as well as the Facilitator of the intra-Zimbabwe dialogue, His Excellency
Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, and His Excellency Jean Ping,
Chairperson of the African Union Commission for the ongoing work aimed at reconciling
the political parties;

RECOGNISING the complexity of the situation in Zimbabwe;

NOTING the willingness of the political leaders of Zimbabwe to enter into negotiations to
establish a Government of National Unity;

NOTING FURTHER the preparatory discussions on this matter had already started, under
SADC facilitation;

Hereby decide:
 TO ENCOURAGE President Robert Mugabe and the leader of the MDC Party Mr Morgan
Tsvangirai to honour their commitment to initiate dialogue with a view to promoting peace,
stability, democracy and the reconciliation of the Zimbabwean people;
 TO SUPPORT the call, for the creation of a Government of National Unity;
 TO SUPPORT the SADC Facilitation, and to recommend that SADC mediation efforts
should be continued in order to resolve the problems they are facing. In this regard SADC
should establish a mechanism on the ground in order to seize the momentum for a negotiated
solution;
 TO APPEAL to states and all parties concerned to refrain from any action that may negatively
impact on the climate of dialogue;
 In the spirit of all SADC initiatives, the AU remains convinced that the people of Zimbabwe
will be able to resolve their differences and work together once again as one Nation,
provided they receive undivided support from SADC, the AU and the world at large.



title:
RECs urged to
promote African
integration

Abstract:
THE AFRICAN Union Summit
held in Egypt urged Regional
Economic Communities (RECs)
to move the integration agenda
forward in a bid to attain the
overall objectives of the continent.

body:
THE AFRICAN Union Summit
held in Egypt urged Regional
Economic Communities (RECs)
to move the integration agenda
forward in a bid to attain the
overall objectives of the continent.
The integration agenda includes
the movement of people
and goods throughout the continent,
which is home to about
900 million people.
As part of this integration
initiative, a meeting of the Coordination
Committee of the
African Union, African Development
Bank (AfDB) and the
RECs was held on the margins
of the 11th Session of the African
Union Summit.
Chairperson of the African
Union Commission, Jean Ping,
reaffirmed commitment towards
a stronger AU cooperation
with the RECs.
“We cannot afford to
fail. Failing would mean
failing our populations
and leading them deeper
into poverty,” Ping
said.


