03 Aug 2022

 President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi yesterday signed four legal instruments adopted by the 2021 SADC Summit.  

Presenting the instruments for signing at the Office of the President, SADC Secretariat legal counsel Mr Mphatsa Kachule said they pertained to protocols on statistics, energy, firearms, ammunition and related materials as well as status of the SADC Standby Force regarding training, peace support operations, exercises and humanitarian assistance.

With regard to the Protocol on Statistics, Mr Kachule said it served as a legal framework for enabling and enhancing statistical development and innovation as well as to ensure harmonisation of standards and methodologies in line with international best practice.

He said amendments to the SADC Protocol on Energy sought to align it with international changes and to respond to policy reforms being undertaken in the energy sector within the region. 

The amendments also served  to bring the instrument  international standards, he explained.

As for the Protocol on Firearms, Ammunition and other Related Materials, Mr Kachule said the intention was to address contemporary issues affecting control of firearms, ammunition and related materials as well as to respond to emerging challenges in the region.

The protocol on SADC Standby Force and its components was amended to regulate the force’s status when deployed for purposes of training exercises, peace support and humanitarian assistance, said Mr Kachule. ENDS