07 Jul 2021

SADC headquarters lounge and a lecture room at the bloc’s Regional Peace Keeping Centre in Zimbabwe are to be named after Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

The organisation’s executive secretary,  Dr Stergomena Lawrence-Tax told an Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation ministerial committee yesterday that the secretariat had found it fit to name the two offices to honour Dr Kaunda’s legacy.

She said concerted efforts were being made to recognise and celebrate the legacy of SADC founding fathers.

On security issues, Dr Lawrence-Tax said the regional situation remained stable notwithstanding isolated challenges and threats, which were being addressed effectively through existing structures.

To that effect, an action plan for implementation of the assessment on security threat report, which was approved during the June 2020 meeting, was being developed.

Dr Lawrence Tax said it would be presented to the committee for consideration.

The plan would contribute towards forging a holistic approach for sustenance of security at both national and regional levels, she said.

In terms of implementation, she said out of 54 decisions, 50 had been fully implemented, representing 93 per cent implementation rate.

Dr Lawrence-Tax said the implementation rate contributed to the region’s quest for sustained political stability, enhanced peace and security and consolidation of democracy.

She said since terrorism remained a challenge, concerted national and regional efforts were required adding there was an urgent need to operationalise the SADC Regional Counter Terrorism Centre as part of the region’s strategy approved in 2015.

Dr Lawrence-Tax said extensive work had been done in that regard including presentation of a hosting proposal.

Once approved, she said, the region would enhance regional efforts and coordination of measures to address terrorism.

The executive secretary said a draft regional strategy and action plan to prevent and combat terrorism and other transnational organised crime had been developed. Ends