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... I n his address to the opening session
of the Summit, the SADC Chairperson and host of the Extraordinary
Summit, HE Dr Sam Nujoma,
President of the Republic of Namibia,
welcomed all delegations to the Summit.
The Chairperson indicated that the
objective of the Extra-ordinary Summit
was to finalize the restructuring of SADC
Institutions including outstanding
issues on the SADC Organ on Politics,
Defence and Security.
President Nujoma expressed the
hope that an attitude of compromise,
consensus and a spirit of give and take
would underline the discussions on the
Restructuring. He stressed the need for
SADC to address the concerns of smaller
SADC member States to ensure that
their aspirations and interests were fully
considered and their ownership of SADC
would not be reduced or minimised. President
Nujoma further expressed the hope
that the new streamlined and strengthened
structure of SADC would enable
the organisation to meet the challenges
and exploit the opportunities of the 21 st
Century.
In his remarks, the Acting Executive
Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy
paid tribute to the Chairperson of SADC
and President of Namibia and the Government
and people of Namibia for hosting
the historic Extra-ordinary Summit.
He pointed out that extensive consultations
were undertaken on the restructuring exercise and consensus was
reached. He also indicated that the new
structure will place the organisation on
a strong footing to enable it to squarely
face the daunting regional and global
challenges particularly those associated
with poverty eradication.
Summit welcomed His Excellency
President Joseph Kabila to the SADC
family of Heads of State and Government.
Summit assured President Kabila
of SADC’s continued support to the
people of the Congo in their search for
lasting peace.
Summit unanimously adopted the
Report on the Review of the Operations of SADC Institutions including the Organ
on Politics, Defence and Security.
Consequently, the SADC Treaty shall be
amended accordingly.
Summit agreed on a Common Agenda
with the following priorities: the promotion of sustainable and
equitable
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economic growth and socio-economic
development that will ensure
poverty alleviation with the ultimate objective
of its eradication;
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promotion of common political
values, which are transmitted through institutions
which are democratic, legitimate
and effective; and
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the consolidation and maintenance
of democracy, peace and security.
In order to address the strategic priorities,
the Summit directed the Review
Committee assisted by the Secretariat to
prepare a Regional Indicative Strategic
Development Plan.
With respect to the Policy Organs,
the Summit agreed that the functions of
Summit remain as outlined in the Treaty
and approved that the Troika system be
formalised and provided for in the Treaty.
The Troika system will operate at the
level of the Summit, the Organ on Politics,
Defence and Security, Council and
Standing Committee of Officials.
The Summit considered the restructuring
of the Organ on Politics, Defence
and Security and agreed that the structure, operations and functions of the
Organ shall be regulated by the Protocol
on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
The Organ will now be integrated
into the SADC structures and will be
coordinated at Summit level on a Troika
basis reporting to the Chairperson of
Summit. The Chairpersonship of the
Organ shall be on a rotational basis for a
period of one year.
While the functions of the Council
of Ministers remain as outlined in the
Treaty, the Summit established an Integrated
Committee of Ministers. The Integrated
Committee of Ministers will
oversee the activities of the core areas
of integration including the implementation
of the Regional Indicative Strategic
Development Plan.
With regard to the Tribunal, the Summit
agreed that its functions remain provided
for in the Treaty and that its establishment
be expedited.
The Summit also agreed to create the
Department of Strategic Planning, Gender
and Development and Policy Harmonization,
which would strengthen the
Secretariat in executing its functions,
particularly strategic planning, gender
mainstreaming, management and harmonization
of policies. The department will
also serve as a Think-Tank for Community
building, regional integration and
development.
Summit agreed to create four Directorates
at the SADC Headquarters under
which all the existing sectors will be
clustered according to their cross
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sectoral
linkages. These would be: Trade, Industry,
Finance and Investment; Infra-structure
and Services; Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR);
Social and Human Development and
Special Programmes. The phasing out of
existing Commissions and sectors would
be undertaken within two years ...
Summit further agreed to ensure the
sustainability of SADC through the provision
of adequate financial and human
resources which could be supplemented
by other sources. Summit directed the Council of Ministers to finalise an equitable
formula for member States’ contributions.
Summit expressed grave concern on
the problem of the illicit manufacturing,
stockpiling of, trafficking in, possession
and use of firearms and, especially those
used in the commission of violent crimes
and their contribution to the high level
of instability, prolonged conflict, and
social dislocation that is evident in
Southern Africa and the African continent
as a whole. Accordingly Summit
signed a Declaration on Firearms, Ammunition
and Other Related Materials as
the initial stage towards the development
of a regional protocol.
Summit expressed satisfaction with
the developments in the DRC and congratulated
His Excellency President
Joseph Kabila for extending a hand of
friendship to the opposition and opening
the way for the Facilitator of the Inter-
Congolese Political Dialogue to
resume his work. Summit also welcomed
the undertaking by the United Nations
and the international community in general
to deploy UN observers and peacekeepers
in line with the provisions of the
Lusaka Agreement. ...
Summit reaffirmed its moral and material
support to the people of Angola
against continued UNITA rebel activities,
which have resulted in loss of lives,
massive destruction to infrastructure and
the displacement of tens of thousands
of people. Summit urged all SADC member
States to tighten the UN Sanctions
against UNITA, particularly illicit diamond
trading.
Summit also noted with satisfaction
the political developments in Lesotho,
particularly the successful amendment
of the constitution to facilitate the holding
of elections in that country.
Summit appointed Dr. Prega Ramsamy
as the Executive Secretary of SADC
for a period of four years. Dr. Ramsamy
is a citizen of Mauritius and an Economist
by profession. Summit congratulated
Dr. Ramsamy for his appointment to
the high office of SADC Executive Secretary
and thanked him for steering the
organisation efficiently as acting Executive
Secretary since January 2000. ...
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