27 Mar 2017

The just ended SADC Council and the Extra Ordinary Summit, which took place in Lozitha, Royal Palace, in Swaziland on March 18, reflected on the organisation’s objectives, achievements and challenges since its establishment in 1980.
Briefing members of the media about the outcomes of the summit, Wednesday, SADC executive director, Dr Stergomena Lawrence-Tax, said resolutions of the Strategic Ministerial Retreat on the Regional Integration, which was held on March 12 to 14, themed: The SADC we want, were approved by the summit.
The retreat, she said also took stock of what needed to be done to accelerate the pace and level of SADC integration agenda.
“In this regard, the summit noted the recommendations of the Ministerial Retreat and directed the secretariat to develop an implementation plan and roadmap of the conclusions of the Strategic Ministerial Retreat for its consideration in August 2017,” said SADC executive director.
The summit received the report of the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration and approved the Costed Action Plan for SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap for 2015 – 2063, saying its success would come from its implementation.
In approving the Action Plan, Dr Lawrence-Tax, said the summit underscored high impact activities, effective monitoring and reporting and role of private sector as key players in implementation of SADC industrialisation agenda. Additionally, she said the summit noted progress made on the preparations for establishment of SADC University of Transformation; and directed relevant SADC structures to finalise its implementation and report back to the summit in August 2017.
SADC executive director also said the summit noted progress on operationalisation of the 36th SADC summit theme, and urged Ministers of Finance and Investment, supported by the secretariat, to finalise SADC Resource Mobilisation Framework and submit it for consideration in August 2017.
Summit endorsed the convening of a high level Ministerial Workshop and Regional Investors Conference on Regional Energy Projects to showcase investment opportunities in the energy sector, focusing on specific flagship projects and directed the secretariat to report progress on the activities under three main aspects of the 36th Summit Theme, at its next meeting in August 2017.
Furthermore, Dr Lawrence-Tax said reports of facilitator and chairperson of Oversight Committee to Lesotho were received and considered by the summit.
While noting with concern the changed political dynamics that have necessitated the holding of snap elections, she said the ‘summit urged Lesotho to address fundamental challenges and bring about political stability’
In addition, as per the communiqué of the Extra Ordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government, the Facilitator and Oversight Committee were mandated by the summit to closely monitor political and security situation in Lesotho during election period. The facilitator, supported by the oversight committee, was also mandated to conduct a multi-stakeholder national dialogue before elections set for June 3, 2017.
This, the communiqué says is done “with the aim of building consensus and trust among all stakeholders and to chart the way forward for the implementation of SADC Decisions.”
Soon after the new government is formed in Lesotho, after elections, Dr Lawrence-Tax said  the summit endorsed the convening of a Double Troika Summit to engage new Lesotho government on the need to implement SADC decisions and recommendations of the SADC Commission of Inquiry through a roadmap with clear timelines.
The summit, SADC executive director said also called upon International Community to support the Democratic Republic of Congo in its electoral processes that were expected to facilitate peaceful and successful elections.
Member States who supported those that suffered from effects of 2015/16 El-Nino induced disaster were commended, as well as and International Cooperating Partners and the Private Sector for the humanitarian assistance provided to support the region. ENDS