The restructuring of SADC is a proactive process of redefining a regional agenda that is in sync with member states’ aspirations, and not just an exercise aimed at centralizing management of the 13-member organization.

This was said by SADC Executive Secretary Dr Prega Ramsamy in a wide-ranging interview with SADC Today.

“The entire purpose of the restructuring was to have an efficient organization that would respond better to our challenges of underdevelopment especially in the context of a globalised world,” said Ramsamy.

He said the new agenda is spelt out in the 15-year Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) which was launched in early 2004. This has since been disaggregated into time horizons of 1-year, 5-year and 15-year implementation plans.

The one-year business plans -- an analysis of the activities to be undertaken, deliverables and financial resources needed - will be tabled for approval at the Council of Ministers in February 2005.

Ramsamy said the restructuring exercise is almost complete. “We have now recruited the four directors who will be responsible for the implementation of the RISDP at the directorate level. Some heads of units have also been recruited and others will be recruited during the next financial year,” he said.

Regarding food security, Ramsamy said the situation has markedly improved and member states are already implementing the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security adopted in May 2004. He cited the provision of subsidised inputs as one of the measures that some member states have adopted targeting vulnerable groups in the region.

The executive secretary outlined a number of agriculture-related initiatives that the SADC Secretariat is implementing in support of member states, including establishing a regional food reserve facility, as well as irrigation development and water management.

On HIV and AIDS, a five-year business plan, 2005-2009, has been completed. This will facilitate the implementation of the SADC Strategic Framework and Programme of Action for Combating HIV and AIDS in the region. The Secretariat marked the World AIDS Day on 1 December with a workshop aimed at developing a workplace policy on HIV and AIDS.

Ramsamy said contrary to popular belief, the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections adopted by Summit in August have already been applied by SADC Observer Missions during elections in Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique.

“The [electoral] principles are … a work in progress and shall be perfected by the democratic experiences and practices within the region. The opinion that not all member states will implement the principles is, to my view, a prejudgment. Let experience be the best teacher,” he said.

Asked whether SADC is happy with progress that the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is making towards integration and development of the continent, Ramsamy said it is too early to quantify any achievements.

Nonetheless, he said, “one can safely say that the framework is clearly enhancing Africa’s prospects for mobilizing foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investment, accelerating policy reforms and consolidating democracy and sound macro-economic reforms.”

Ramsamy said that notable progress has been made towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially in areas such as literacy, but daunting challenges remain particularly in reducing poverty levels and combating HIV and AIDS.

The executive secretary is hopeful that current trade negotiations between SADC and the European Union (EU) will yield a favourable outcome that will allow member states better market access to the EU. SADC is seeking improved market access particularly for agriculture and fisheries.

On his assessment of the process of integration in SADC, Ramsamy said the agenda is on course. He cited the example of the mid term review of the trade protocol, which has revealed that implementation is on track.

“In the next ten years, I can see SADC already having a common external tariff i.e. SADC will be transformed into a Customs Union,” said Ramsamy.

He was however, quick to point out that overall delivery is the responsibility of member states. “We [SADC Secretariat] can only facilitate, monitor and advise. Implementation rests with member states,” he said.