SADC needs economic growth to
eradicate poverty. The Chairperson of SADC, Namibian President Sam Nujoma said this during
his inaugural visit to the SADC Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana at the end of October.
President Nujoma said, “The people of southern Africa
are in a hurry to see the regional economic growth, without which poverty cannot be
eradicated.”
About 40 percent of SADC’s estimated population of 200
million live in abject poverty, a statement from the Secretariat said.
The Namibian president, who took over as chairperson from
Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano in August 2000, stressed the need to strengthen
regional institutions for conflict prevention, management and resolution. He said this
should be done with a view to effec-tively
contribute towards the maintenance of regional |
peace, security and stability
On the restructuring of SADC institutions, President Nujoma
noted that the Review Committee of Ministers, at a meeting held in Windhoek in October,
had made recommendations on the restructuring which would be discussed at the Council of
Ministers meeting in Gaborone during the last week of November.
President Nujoma meets the Acting SADC Executive Secretary at SADC
House during his official visit in October
He added that the restructuring exercise is intended to
streamline and strengthen institutions of the Community with a view to make SADC more
effective and efficient in pursuit of the regional integration agenda and economic growth.
|
President Nujoma announced that steps are being taken to fill
the post of the Executive Secretary in the near fu-ture.
The Acting Executive Secretary of SADC, Prega Ramsamy said
President Nujoma had assumed his position as chairperson of SADC at a critical time in the
history of the organisation. He pointed out that, “first, a number of protocols have
come into force and are now at the implementation stage. Secondly SADC is in the process
of undergoing a major restructuring”.
Ramsamy added that these developments pose serious
challenges on the ability and preparedness of the organisation to deliver on the
expectations of the people of the region who are looking upon SADC as the vehicle to carry
them towards increased regional economic development and improved quality of life. |
