Cimeiras da SADC 2001 - 2010

SADC EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT

COMMUNIQUÉ

NAMIBIA – WINDHOEK: 9 MARCH, 2001

The Extra–Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), was held in Windhoek, Namibia, on 9 March, 2001, and was chaired by His Excellency, Dr. Sam Nujoma President of the Republic of Namibia.

1. The Extra-Ordinary Summit was attended by:

Angola : H.E. Mr. Jose Eduardo dos Santos, President

Botswana : H.E. Mr. Festus Mogae, President

Democratic Republic of Congo: H.E. Mr. Joseph Kabila, President

Malawi : H.E. Dr. Bakili Muluzi, President

Mozambique : H.E. Mr. Joaquim Chissano, President

Namibia : H.E. Dr. Sam Nujoma, President

South Africa : H.E. Mr. Thabo Mbeki, President

Tanzania : H.E. Mr. Benjamin W. Mkapa, President

Zambia : H.E. Dr. Frederick J.T. Chiluba, President

Zimbabwe : H.E. Mr. Robert G. Mugabe, President

Swaziland was represented by Hon. Arthur Khoza, the Deputy Prime Minister, Lesotho by Hon. Tom Thabane, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Seychelles by Hon. Mr. Jeremie Bonnelame, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mauritius by Hon. Anil Gayan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation.

2. Summit observed a minute of silence in memory of the late President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, His Excellency Laurent Desire Kabila.

3. In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the SADC Chairperson and host of the Extra-ordinary 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.

4. 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 21st Century.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Summit agreed on a Common Agenda with the following priorities:

i) The promotion of sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development that will ensure poverty alleviation with the ultimate objective of its eradication;

ii) Promotion of common political values, which are transmitted through institutions which are democratic, legitimate and effective; and;

iii) The consolidation and maintenance of democracy, peace and security.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. With regard to the Tribunal, the Summit agreed that its functions remain provided for in the Treaty and that its establishment be expedited.

14. 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.

15. Summit agreed to create four Directorates at the SADC Headquarters under which all the existing sectors will be clustered according to their cross sectoral linkages. These would be: Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment; Infrastructure 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 and directorates would be established in accordance with the following time frame:

• March - August 2001: establishment of the Directorate on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment;

• August – December 2001: establishment of the Directorate on Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources;

• the remaining Directorates would be established in 2002.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. With regard to the Great Lakes region, Summit expressed concern at the renewed fighting in Burundi and called for accelerated peace efforts under the current peace initiatives led by former South African President Nelson Mandela.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. In closing the Summit, the Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency President Dr Sam Nujoma commended his colleagues for conducting their meeting in a frank, open and businesslike manner. President Nujoma said the new structure adopted by Summit puts a strong emphasis on efficiency, cost effectiveness and improved coordination and management in order to produce results and promote deeper integration.

24. The Deputy Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency President Dr. Bakili Muluzi delivered the vote of thanks in which he paid tribute to the Chairperson’s personal commitment to SADC. President Muluzi said the Summit has been a great success because SADC now knows the way forward. President Muluzi then invited the SADC Heads of State and Government to Malawi for its next meeting in August 2001.

25. Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of Namibia for hosting the Summit and for the warm hospitality extended to all the distinguished delegates. Summit also thanked all SADC institutions, which contributed to the success of this Summit meeting.

COMMUNIQUÉ

MALAWI – BLANTYRE: 12-14 AUGUST 2001

The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), met in Blantyre, Malawi on 12-14 August 2001, and was chaired by His Excellency, Dr. Bakili Muluzi, President of the Republic of Malawi.

The Heads of State and Government of SADC present at the Summit were:

Botswana H.E. President Festus G. Mogae

Lesotho Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili

Malawi H.E. President Bakili Muluzi

Mozambique H.E. President Joaquim Chissano

Namibia H.E. President Sam Nujoma

South Africa H.E President Thabo Mbeki

Swaziland H. M. King Mswati III

Tanzania H.E. President Benjamin W. Mkapa

Zambia H.E. President Frederick J.T. Chiluba

Zimbabwe H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe

2. The Heads of State and Government of the following countries were represented by:

Angola H.E. Roberto Antonio Victor Francisco De Almeida, President of the National Assembly

Democratic Republic of Congo: Honourable Ngele Masudi, Minister of Justice

Mauritius: Honourable Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation

Seychelles: His Excellency, Mr Peter Sinon, High Commissioner to South Africa

3. Also in attendance were the Secretary General of the Organisation of African Unity, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim; the Secretary General of the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa, Mr Erastus O. Mwencha;

Representatives of the African Development Bank and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

4. In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the outgoing SADC Chairperson, H.E. Sam Nujoma, President of the Republic of Namibia, noted that SADC leaders were committed to making the organisation operationally effective and efficient, so that it can respond positively to challenges such as poverty, HIV/AIDS and globalisation that impact negatively on the livelihoods of the people of SADC. In addition President Nujoma reported on the progress made towards the implementation of the new SADC structure. In particular he stressed the establishment of the Directorate on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment on August 2, 2001 and the preparation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan. He noted that 40 percent of the region’s population still lives in abject poverty, which makes it imperative for SADC to address the problem of poverty alleviation and its eventual eradication. He observed that SADC economies have to grow at an average of 6 - 6.7 percent in order to attain sustainable economic development and to substantially reduce poverty.

5. The incoming Chairperson of SADC, H.E. Bakili Muluzi, President of the Republic of Malawi, and host of the 2001 Summit, extended a warm welcome to SADC Heads of State and Government, and other delegates to Malawi, the “Warm Heart of Africa”. He noted that SADC’s economic goals will be irrelevant unless the region achieves peace and security. He expressed grave concern at the conflicts in Angola and DRC, and stressed that peace and stability were a prerequisite for economic growth and development. He also stated that efforts to develop the region have been hampered by the vagaries of weather that have caused problems such as floods and droughts.

6. In his address to the Summit, the OAU Secretary General, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim noted that regional economic communities (RECs) such as SADC, constitute an important part of the African Union. Dr Salim also noted that the Constitutive Act of the African Union has as one of its objectives, the coordination and harmonisation of policies and programmes between existing and future RECs. Dr Salim further observed that the OAU Summit in Lusaka, Zambia in July 2001 called on the policy organs of the RECs to initiate a reflection on the relationship between the African Union and the RECs, including the adoption of appropriate decisions on the most effective modalities for actualising this relationship.

7. In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy noted that SADC is consolidating and deepening its integration agenda through the restructuring process in order to better equip the organisation to deliver on its mandate of improving the welfare of the people through the reduction of poverty and its eventual eradication. He also noted that SADC should accelerate the process of integration, as this would create a large economic space and provide economies of scale. The Executive Secretary also emphasised the need for increased domestic savings in the region, in order to create resources for domestic investment.

8. The official opening of the Summit also witnessed the announcement of the winners of the 2001 Regional Secondary Schools Essay Competition, whose theme was “Poverty Alleviation in the SADC Region: the Role of Regional Integration and Cooperation”. The first prize was awarded to: Lucinda Heyns of Namibia, the second prize to Sibanesezwe Malunga of Zimbabwe and the third to Rushika Seeras of Mauritius.

9. Summit adopted the system of electing the Chairperson of SADC at the commencement of the first working session of Summit. His Excellency, Dr Bakili Muluzi, President of the Republic of Malawi was elected as the new Chairperson for a term of one year. Summit also elected His Excellency, Mr Eduardo Dos Santos as Deputy Chairperson for one year. Consequently, His Excellency President Muluzi chaired the Summit.

10. On the political situation, Summit expressed satisfaction that the region generally continues to enjoy political stability and the consolidation of democracy, respect for the rule of law, respect for human rights, peace and stability. In this regard, Summit noted that special efforts were directed at deepening and accelerating the reforms to constitutional, political and electoral systems to ensure that they are participatory, transparent, accountable, inclusive and predictable. Summit congratulated President Benjamin Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania and Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth of the Republic of Mauritius for their victory at the polls. Summit looked forward to the successful holding of Presidential and general elections in Zambia later this year and in Lesotho and Angola in 2002. Presidential elections will be held in Zimbabwe in 2002.

11. Summit noted that regrettably there were still pockets of conflict and war in the member States of Angola and the DRC. In these countries, thousands of people have been displaced as a result of war, and many others have become refugees. However, there are encouraging indications of the resolution of these conflicts.

Summit noted with satisfaction that the peace process is back on track in the DRC. Summit commended President Joseph Kabila for his commitment to the peace process, and the tireless efforts of President Chiluba of Zambia, with the support of other Heads of State, in brokering peace. Summit also acknowledged the key role of the facilitator of the Inter-Congolese dialogue, Sir Ketumile Masire. Following the adoption of a Declaration of Fundamental Principles by the Congolese Parties in Lusaka in May 2001, the preparatory meeting of Inter-Congolese Dialogue is now set to begin on August 20, 2001 in Gaborone Botswana. Summit called on all the Congolese Parties to attend this meeting. Summit expressed full support for the dialogue and hoped that it will be a success.

Summit also noted that the disengagement and redeployment of forces in the DRC have started. In particular, the SADC Allied Forces, Uganda and Rwanda have started withdrawing their troops from the DRC, in accordance with the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, the Kampala Disengagement Plan and Harare Sub-Plans as well as United Nations Security Council resolutions 1304, 1341, and 1355. Summit also noted the deployment of United Nations Military observers under MONUC II. Summit appealed to the international community to continue its support to the Joint Military Commission in order for the latter to undertake its work effectively.

Summit condemned the looting of natural resources and minerals of the DRC, and called upon member States to prohibit the importation or transit of these resources through their territories.

12. On Angola, Summit welcomed the continued UN sanctions against UNITA. Summit also noted that SADC has approved measures in response to the UN Security Council Resolution on sanctions against UNITA. These are: the installation of Mobile Radar Systems in the SADC region to detect illegal flights across SADC national borders; the mechanism for the international certification system for trade in rough diamonds; and the creation of a task force to compile data and to formulate a strategy to stop the supply of petroleum products to UNITA. In this regard, Summit endorsed the creation of an Ad-hoc Committee, coordinated by the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, composed of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe to compile a full report on how SADC member States are implementing the recommendations of Resolution 1295 of the Security Council. The report will be submitted to the United Nations.

13. Summit expressed concern at the humanitarian situation in Angola brought about by Dr Jonas Savimbi’s wanton attacks on civilian targets.

As a result, thousands of people have been killed, maimed and displaced. Summit, therefore appealed to the international community to provide increased humanitarian assistance to the displaced people of Angola.

Summit expressed its commitment to continue intensifying the search for peaceful and lasting solutions to the longstanding conflict in Angola.

14. In its consideration of the situation in Zimbabwe, Summit welcomed the initiative of President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria to mediate between Zimbabwe and United Kingdom, and further welcomed the readiness of the Government of Zimbabwe to fully cooperate with the President of Nigeria. Summit also expressed its total support for the initiative in the expectation that a positive outcome will emerge for all parties concerned.

Summit expressed concern on the effects of the Zimbabwe economic situation on the region, and indicated its readiness to engage in a dialogue with the Government of Zimbabwe and other cooperating partners to resolve the situation. Summit established a task force comprising the SADC Troika, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa, to work with the Government of Zimbabwe on the economic and political issues affecting

Zimbabwe.

15. Summit received a report from the outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, His Excellency President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, which gave an overall picture of the political, defence and security situation in the region.

16. Summit noted that at the continental level, through collective efforts, remarkable progress has been achieved towards strengthening African unity. To this end, a giant step has been taken with the transformation of the OAU into the African Union (AU) and the initiation of the New African Initiative. Summit also noted that the region is faced with a formidable challenge to ensure that these new initiatives work for the benefit of all the people of the continent. In this regard, Summit received a report from the Chairperson of the OAU, His Excellency, President Frederick J. T. Chiluba of Zambia on the transformation of the OAU in to the African Union.

President Chiluba informed Summit that modalities were being worked on for the launch of the AU in July 2002. Summit directed that Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance meet to articulate a strategy vis a vis the transformation of the OAU into the AU and the New Africa Initiative.

17. Summit also received a report from His Excellency, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa on the efforts being made to put into operation the New African Initiative (NAI). President Mbeki informed Summit that G8 leaders have indicated their interest in supporting NAI and will be working with the OAU to come up with detailed planning and implementation schedules. Support has also been received from the UN, the European

Union, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation. Summit noted the nomination by the Southern African region of Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa to be part of the 15 member task force of African Heads of States and Government on the implementation of NAI.

18. With regard to the economic situation, Summit expressed satisfaction at the far reaching economic reforms being implemented by SADC Member States, in pursuance of their shared vision of creating a regional economic community through deeper economic integration. A number of SADC countries have managed to put themselves on a sustainable economic growth path, through the implementation of appropriate macro-economic policies.

Summit observed that on average, the region has achieved positive GDP growth rates since 1995. In the year 2000, the average growth rate of the region reached 3.4%, almost double that of 1999 which stood at 1.8%.

However, these growth rates are significantly below the growth target of 6% that is required to have a meaningful impact on eradicating poverty.

The challenge, therefore, is to catapult the economic growth rate of the region to levels that will have a meaningful impact on eradicating poverty.

19. Summit noted the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and other infectious diseases on the population of the region. In particular, Summit expressed concern that the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Southern African region continues to be a major developmental challenge. It is estimated that about 10 million citizens are living with HIV/AIDS, accounting for about 5 percent of the total population of the region. This has a negative impact on productivity in the region, because it is mostly the young productive age group that is dying from HIV/AIDS-related diseases. Summit noted that SADC is working on a programme to ensure that the majority of the people have access to affordable drugs for HIV/AIDS related diseases.

20. On the food situation in the region, Summit noted that this is greatly influenced by weather conditions, civil strife and national policies. In the 2000/2001 growing season, the region experienced unfavourable weather in most countries. As a result, current projections show a combined all cereals deficit of 3.87 million tonnes for the 2001/2002 marketing year against a small surplus of 583,000 tonnes assessed for 2000/2001 marketing year. Total domestic cereal availability is estimated at 25.04 million tonnes and this is insufficient to meet total requirements estimated at 28.91 million tonnes including 2.30 million tonnes needed for replenishing Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) stocks.

On an individual country basis, all-cereal surpluses are estimated for South Africa only. Domestic cereal shortfalls persist and bring about significant food insecurity in Angola due to internal strife. Cereal deficits are also anticipated in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Regarding maize production, Summit noted that the forecasts indicate a regional deficit of 2.10 million tonnes with South Africa and Mozambique being the only countries projecting small maize surpluses of 180,000 tonnes and 7,000 tonnes respectively. All other SADC countries are anticipated to face maize deficits or import requirements of varying degrees, which, however, cannot be satisfied from the available surpluses in South Africa and Mozambique. The need for humanitarian assistance in Angola persists due to the internal situation in that country.

An urgent appeal for food assistance for 2 million people has been launched in Zambia, in the light of a 39% fall in maize production. Maize shortfalls are also projected for Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

Summit noted that most of the remaining SADC countries have/or are planning to put in place contingency measures to deal with the unexpected food insecurity. In countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe, the assessed deficits are likely to be covered through increased commercial imports with little or no donor aid. Over the years, Zimbabwe has introduced a policy and programme of strategic grain reserves to take care of anticipated difficult years. In Angola, FAO/WFP Mission has assessed a food aid requirement of about 176,000 tonnes. Summit noted with concern the grave food situation in some member States, and directed SADC Ministers of Agriculture to meet as soon as possible to review the food situation and develop a regional strategy to ameliorate the situation.

21. Summit noted that another great challenge facing the region is the issue of land reform. Land is important in the region since the majority of the people of SADC live in rural areas, and depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The question of the distribution of land, and how it is utilised as a productive asset has a direct impact on rural poverty. The situation as it currently stands is that many SADC member States are at various stages of land reform, and many others are contemplating initiating it in one form or another. Summit therefore noted the urgent need for member States to share strategies and experiences, with a view to adopting common approaches and strategies.

22. On the issue of gender equality, Summit received a report on the progress made by SADC member States towards reaching the target of 30% of women in politics and decision-making structures by the year 2005, which was set out in the 1997 SADC Declaration on Gender and Development.

The picture emerging in the region regarding parliaments shows that half of SADC member States are at 15% and above with South Africa having reached the target followed by Mozambique (28.4%) and Seychelles at 24%. The remaining member States have percentages of women in parliament ranging between 5.9% and 10%. Summit noted that so far, only Tanzania has amended its constitution raising the quota of women members of Parliament from 15% to 20% and that for local government from 25% to 33%. It noted with concern that only a few member States have made significant progress in meeting the target.

Summit approved that member States should establish mechanisms which would accelerate an increase in the numbers of women in political and decision making positions, with a view to meeting the target of 30% by the year 2005. Summit also approved that Member States should present reports at its annual meetings on the steps they have taken, as well as the progress made in this regard.

Summit urged member States to seize the opportunity presented by elections, cabinet reshuffles, and other opportunities where vacancies occur, to nominate women to positions of decision making.

23. Summit noted that fifteen protocols have been successfully negotiated and concluded and of these, eight have entered into force. Summit also expressed concern that there appears to be no proper assessment of the implementation of these numerous protocols and urged member States to effectively implement them. Summit also urged member States to ratify or accede to all Protocols as speedily as possible. Summit signed the following five Protocols: Politics Defence and Security Cooperation; Firearms, Ammunition and other Related Materials; Fisheries; Culture, Information and Sport; and the Protocol Against Corruption. Summit also signed an Agreement Amending the Treaty, and a Declaration on Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

24. An interactive business lunch between Heads of State and SADC Business leaders also took place during the Summit, reflecting recognition of the important role played by the private sector in regional integration.

During this session, SADC Heads of State hosted different tables of the business community, at which they exchanged views on the state of the business environment in the region. The luncheon was organised under the auspices of the Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCCI).

25. Summit received a progress Report from the Council of Ministers on the implementation of the Review of the Operations of SADC institutions.

These include planned studies on the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP); the Implementation of the new SADC Secretariat Structure; and the Auditing of Assets, Programmes and Projects in Sector Coordinating Units and SADC Institutions. Summit noted the progress made on the establishment of new directorates.

Summit also noted with satisfaction that member States have seconded staff to the SADC Secretariat.

26. Summit commended South Africa for hosting the upcoming World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance from August 31, 2001 to September 7, 2001 and urged all member States to be well represented at this conference.

27. Summit appointed Mr Albert M. Muchanga, a national of Zambia, as the new Deputy Executive Secretary of SADC. Mr Muchanga was sworn in at the closing ceremony of Summit.

28. Summit unanimously elected President Joaquim Alberto Chissano of the Republic of Mozambique as the next Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation for a term of one year. Summit also elected President Benjamin Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania as Deputy Chairperson, thus completing the Troika which includes the past Chairperson, His Excellency, President Robert Mugabe of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

29. Summit received a statement from the Second Meeting of the First Ladies, which was held under the theme “Woman: The Foundation of Life”.

30. Summit accepted the offer of the Government of the Republic of Angola to host the next Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in 2002 in Angola.

31. Summit thanked His Excellency President Sam Nujoma and His Excellency President Robert Mugabe for chairing SADC and the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation respectively, and the accomplishments of SADC during their tenure of office.

32. Summit thanked representatives of other regional and continental organisations for attending the 2001 Summit.

33. Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of Malawi for hosting the Summit and for the warm hospitality extended to all the distinguished delegates. Summit also thanked all SADC institutions, which contributed to the successful organisation of the Summit.

34. His Excellency President Bakili Muluzi of Malawi officially closed the Summit, and outlined his vision as Chairperson of SADC for the next year.

35. His Excellency President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania passed a vote of thanks.

SUMMIT OF THE SADC TASK FORCE

ON DEVELOPMENTS IN ZIMBABWE

COMMUNIQUÉ

ZIMBABWE – HARARE: 10-11 SEPTEMBER, 2001

1. The Summit of the SADC Task Force on Developments in Zimbabwe was held in Harare, Zimbabwe on 10-11 September 2001, at the invitation of His Excellency, President Robert Mugabe and was chaired by His Excellency, Dr. Bakili Muluzi, President of the Republic of Malawi, the Chairperson of SADC. The Task Force was established by the Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government during their meeting in Blantyre, Malawi on August 12-14, 2001, to work with the Government of Zimbabwe on the economic and political issues affecting the latter with a view to assisting Zimbabwe in finding solutions to these problems.

2. The members of the Task Force present at the Summit were:

Botswana H.E. President Festus G. Mogae

Malawi H.E. President Bakili Muluzi

Mozambique H.E. President Joaquim Chissano

Namibia H.E. President Sam Nujoma

South Africa H.E President Thabo Mbeki

Zimbabwe H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe

3. The Angolan Head of State was represented by: Hon. Kundi Paihama Minister of Defence

4. Also in attendance were Ministers and Senior officials from the abovementioned member States, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy as well as Senior officials and representatives of a broad spectrum of Zimbabwean stakeholders.

5. In his remarks to the plenary session, which was attended by all invited Stakeholders, the SADC Chairperson, H.E. Dr Bakili Muluzi, President of the Republic of Malawi, emphasised the need for equitable land distribution and SADC’s support for Zimbabwe’s Land Reform and Resettlement Program. Noting that land is at the centre of human dignity and political power, President Muluzi stressed the need for all Zimbabweans to work together in a spirit of give and take, mutual trust and openness. He also emphasised the importance of dialogue among all Zimbabweans based on patriotism and selflessness.

6. The SADC Chairperson further noted that the Summit was a historic event that afforded SADC leaders an opportunity to hear the views of all key stakeholders on the land question in Zimbabwe which is central to the socio-economic stability and well-being of the country.

7. Summit received a briefing from His Excellency, President Mugabe on progress in implementing the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme.

He reiterated his government’s commitment to equitable and socially just access to land in order to promote sustainable and efficient use and management of land in Zimbabwe. President Mugabe indicated that the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme is being handled in accordance with the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution and Laws of Zimbabwe. He further indicated the measures taken by the Government of Zimbabwe to avoid a recurrence of incidents of violence.

8. Summit also received a briefing from Hon. Sule Lamido, the Foreign Minister of Nigeria on the outcome of the Abuja Initiative and welcomed and supported the conclusions of the Abuja Initiative. Summit also welcomed the decision by the United Kingdom to provide a significant financial contribution to the Zimbabwe land reform programme and its undertaking to encourage other international donors to do the same. Summit urged the parties to start the process of implementation without delay. Summit further welcomed the commitment by Zimbabwe at the meeting in Abuja to undertake its Land reform and Resettlement Programme in accordance with its laws, ensuring that a stop is put to any further farm occupations; that it would facilitate the de-listing of farms which do not meet set criteria; that for farms that are not designated, occupiers would be moved to legally acquired land; that discussions with the UNDP will be accelerated, with a view to reaching agreement as quickly as possible; and the commitment of the Government of Zimbabwe to continue to exert all efforts to ensure that land reform is carried out in accordance with the laws of Zimbabwe.

9. Summit received a letter from the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, reaffirming the commitment of the UNDP to work with the Government of Zimbabwe in the implementation of the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme. Summit welcomed this reaffirmation and emphasised the need to seize this opportunity and move fast to ensure that an agreement is reached between the two parties as a matter of urgency.

10. Summit received presentations from the following stakeholders:

• Council of Chiefs

• Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association

• Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union

• Zimbabwe Joint Resettlement Initiative

• Commercial Farmers’ Union

• Indigenous Commercial Farmers’ Union

• Inyika Trust on Land

• Women and Land Group

• Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions

• Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions

• Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce

• Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries

• Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe

• Affirmative Action Group

• Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines

• Zimbabwe Council of Churches

• Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference

• Zimbabwe Muslim Youth Organisation

• Indigenous Business Development Centre

• Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)

• Zimbabwe African National Union (Ndonga)

• Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU-PF)

11. In their presentations, the stakeholders were unanimous on the need for equitable land re-distribution and pledged their support for the acquisition and distribution of land under the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme. They emphasised the need for national dialogue in order to find a speedy and sustainable solution to the land question in Zimbabwe.

The Stakeholders also called for the institution of confidence building measures among all stakeholders to ensure their commitment and support to the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme. They expressed appreciation for the support SADC has given to Zimbabwe’s Land Reform and Resettlement Programme and called upon SADC leaders to continue assisting in that endeavour. Summit appealed for technical, financial and extension service support to the settlers to facilitate productive land use.

12. Summit welcomed as a step in the right direction, the Zimbabwe Joint Resettlement Initiative by commercial farmers and government to provide land for the resettlement programme with support from the private sector.

The Zimbabwe Joint Resettlement Initiative aims at speeding up the delivery of land for resettlement through the withdrawal of legal contestations.

13. Summit adopted the combined presentation from the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference and the Faith for the Nation campaign.

14. Summit expressed concern at the projection of a negative image of Zimbabwe which has had adverse effects on the economy of Zimbabwe and consequently the economy of the region. Summit appealed to the international community to be objective in their portrayal of events in Zimbabwe. Summit encouraged Zimbabwe to find ways and means of countering this negative perception in order to win support for land issue and bring about a turnaround in the economy. Summit accordingly, stressed the need for all Zimbabweans to work together in an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence.

15. The Summit noted with appreciation the renewed commitment by the Government of Zimbabwe and the stakeholders to intensify consultations aimed at confidence building and finding lasting solutions to the land issue, economic problems and other issues of national concern.

16. Summit also noted with appreciation the willingness of the political parties to establish a Multi Party Parliamentary Committee to discuss these issues on a continuous basis, within the context of the democratic tradition of the country.

17. Summit encouraged the Government of Zimbabwe and Britain to engage in continuous dialogue.

18. Summit agreed to establish a Ministerial Task Force to proactively continue the initiative. Summit directed this Task Force to meet as soon as possible.

19. Summit thanked the Government and people of Zimbabwe for their warm hospitality and the representatives of the invited stakeholders for their contributions.

SADC EXTRA-ORDINARY SUMMIT

COMMUNIQUÉ

MALAWI – BLANTYRE: 14 JANUARY, 2002

The Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), met in Blantyre, Malawi on 14 January 2002, and was chaired by His Excellency, Dr. Bakili Muluzi, President of the Republic of Malawi.

The Heads of State and Government of SADC present at the Summit were:

Angola H.E. President Mr Jose Eduardo Dos Santos

Botswana H.E. President Mr Festus G. Mogae

Democratic Republic of Congo: H.E. President Mr Joseph Kabila

Lesotho Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Prof. Pakalitha Mosisili

Malawi H.E. President Dr Bakili Muluzi

Mozambique H.E. President Mr Joaquim Chissano

Namibia Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr Hage Geingob

South Africa H.E President Mr Thabo Mbeki

Swaziland Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Dr Sibusiso Dlamini

Tanzania H.E. President Mr Benjamin William Mkapa

Zambia H.E. President Mr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa

Zimbabwe H.E. President Mr Robert G. Mugabe

2. The Heads of State and Government of the following countries were represented by:

Mauritius Honourable Mr Anil Kumarsighn Gayan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Seychelles His Excellency Mr Peter Sinon, High Commisioner of the Republic of

Seychelles to South Africa

3. Also in attendance were the President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Mr Yoweri Museveni, and Honourable Mr Andre Bumaya, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Rwanda. The Organisation of African Unity was represented by Ambassador Said Djinnit, Assistant Secretary General in charge of Political Affairs. Summit was also attended by the Former President of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire,

Facilitator of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue

4. In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the SADC Chairperson, H.E. Dr Bakili Muluzi, President of the Republic of Malawi, welcomed the Heads of State and Government to Malawi, and expressed a desire for sustainable peace, security and stability throughout the SADC region. He noted that no real social and economic progress can take place without long lasting peace and stability, and that conflicts in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Burundi have adverse effects on all the economies in the region. President Muluzi stated that he was encouraged by the strides that have been made in promoting good governance, transparency and the rule of law in the region. He pledged SADC’s determination to perfect and consolidate democratic values and structures.

5. President Muluzi called attention to the challenges of HIV/AIDS and appealed to SADC countries to consolidate their efforts, and mobilise resources to combat the pandemic.

6. Summit welcomed the newly elected President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr Levy P. Mwanawasa SC, and congratulated him on his victory. In his address to the Summit, President Mwanawasa pledged Zambia’s commitment to finding durable solutions to conflicts, through multilateral and other mechanisms such as the Tripartite Mechanism for Cooperation in Security between Angola, Namibia and Zambia. He further pledged that Zambia would use its position as Chair of the OAU to lobby the international community to support the DRC peace process, especially to ensure that the Inter-Congolese Dialogue commences as soon as possible.

7. In his vote of thanks, the President of the Republic of Angola, His Excellency Jose Eduardo Dos Santos observed that SADC countries shall only be able to overcome poverty, illness and illiteracy if the conflicts in the region are permanently resolved. He noted that the issue of terrorism is of major international concern, one from which the region has suffered, and against which SADC has taken a firm and unequivocal position. He applauded SADC for its united approach to the resolution of regional conflicts, and appealed for the strengthening of that unity.

8. The SADC Executive Secretary, Dr Prega Ramsamy noted that the Summit provides a unique opportunity to address the conflict situation in the SADC region, and underlined the need to move forward in unison. He noted that peace and security are pre-requisites for sustained growth and development. He further emphasised the need for the SADC region to halt its marginalisation in the global process.

9. The Summit received a statement from Ambassador Said Djinnit, Assistant Secretary General in charge of Political Affairs at the Organisation of African Unity. He commended SADC for its timely initiative in convening the Summit, and underlined the need to strengthen continental and regional mechanisms to deal with conflicts more effectively. He emphasised the importance of enhancing the cooperation between these mechanisms, based on the principles of complementarity and comparative advantage.

10. A presentation of the main findings of the World Health Organisation Commission on Macro-Economics and Health was made to the Summit by its Chairperson, Prof Jeffrey Sachs, who underlined that health was a prerequisite for economic development.

11. A message of goodwill to the Summit was received from the United Nations Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan.

12. Summit received a report from President Joseph Kabila on the peace process in the DRC. Summit welcomed the partial withdrawal of Ugandan forces, and urged the latter and Rwandan forces to complete their withdrawal as a matter of urgency. Summit expressed concern at the slow progress in the implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, and urged all parties concerned to comply fully with its provisions.

Consequently, Summit tasked the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security with the responsibility to formulate a strategy for speeding up implementation of the Agreement, in collaboration with the Joint Monitoring Committee.

13. Summit expressed its gratitude to International Cooperating Partners which have consistently supported the Lusaka Peace Agreement on the DRC, and urged them to continue this support until peace and security are attained.

14. Summit welcomed President Kabila’s active involvement in the Inter Congolese Dialogue, which is aimed at reconciling the Congolese people and ushering in a new political dispensation.

15. Summit received a report on the progress of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue from the Facilitator, Sir Ketumile Masire. Summit noted the preparatory talks held in Gaborone in August 2001, at which the parties committed themselves to a number of procedures and substantive actions, most of which have been implemented. The Inter-Congolese Dialogue which commenced in Addis Ababa in October 2001 was abandoned due to procedural and financial constraints. The Dialogue will resume in South Africa in mid-February 2002.

16. The Facilitator expressed concern at the inadequate funding for the Dialogue, and appealed for additional financial support to ensure the success of the Inter Congolese Dialogue. In this regard, Summit mandated the SADC Chairperson, and the Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security to work with the facilitator to mobilise the required resources.

17. Summit received a report from President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos on the situation in Angola, where relative peace now prevails as a result of the Government Peace Plan which is a combination of military, economic, political and social efforts. Summit noted that national territory had been liberated, and national boundaries re-established. The government has established full administration throughout the national territory and this has significantly contributed to an improvement in the movement of people, goods and services.

18. Summit called for the continuation and intensification of sanctions against UNITA-SAVIMBI in order to bring the rebel movement to dialogue and to compel it to comply with the provisions of the Lusaka Peace Protocol.

Summit welcomed the Angolan Government’s commitment to the 1994 Lusaka Peace Protocol, and urged UNITA-SAVIMBI to return to the negotiating table, in a spirit of national reconciliation.

19. Summit welcomed the following actions to be undertaken by Zimbabwe:

full respect for human rights, including the right to freedom of opinion, association and peaceful assembly for all individuals; the commitment to investigate fully and impartially all cases of alleged political violence in 2001 and action to do so; a Zimbabwean Electoral Supervisory Commission which is adequately resourced and able to operate independently; the accreditation and registration of national independent monitors in good time for the elections; a timely invitation to, and accreditation of a wide range of international election observers; commitment to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution of Zimbabwe; reaffirmation by Zimbabwe of its practice of allowing national and international journalists to cover important national events, including elections, on the basis of its laws and regulations; commitment by the government of Zimbabwe to the independence of the judiciary and to the rule of law; and the transfer by the Government of Zimbabwe of occupiers of non designated farms to legally acquired land.

20. Summit welcomed the assurances by President Mugabe that the forthcoming Presidential Elections scheduled for 9-10 March 2002 will be free and fair. Summit noted the steps that have been taken by the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure the efficient and effective management of the elections. Summit noted with appreciation the commitment of the Government of Zimbabwe to launch a peace campaign that would include the opposition and other stakeholders.

21. The Summit expressed serious concern on the statement made by the Zimbabwe army on the outcome of the election, and urged the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that in accordance with the multiparty political dispensation prevalent in SADC, political statements are not made by the military, but by political leaders.

22. Summit noted with concern the negative reporting by certain sections of the media on Zimbabwe, and appealed to them to be objective. Summit expressed concern over the fact that some Western countries have authorised the broadcasting from their territories by their nationals of hostile and inciting propaganda against the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Summit called upon those countries to desist from such actions.

23. Summit adopted a report by the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, His Excellency Joaquim Chissano President of the Republic of Mozambique. The report covers a review of the political situation in the region, terrorism, the Richard Ryan report on Sanctions Against UNITA-SAVIMBI, a Programme of Activities for the Organ, Support to the Secretariat to service the Organ, and Funding of the Organ.

24. Summit adopted a SADC Declaration Against Terrorism.

25. Summit expressed its gratitude to the Government and People of Malawi for their hospitality during the Extra Ordinary Summit.

COMMUNIQUÉ

ANGOLA – LUANDA: 1-3 OCTOBER 2002

The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), met in Luanda, Angola on 1-3 October 2002, and was chaired by His Excellency, Mr Eduardo Jose Eduardo dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola.

The Heads of State and Government of SADC present at the Summit were:

Angola H.E. President Jose Eduardo dos Santos

Botswana H.E. President Festus G. Mogae

Democratic Republic of Congo: H. E. Joseph Kabila

Malawi H.E. President Bakili Muluzi

Mozambique H.E. President Joaquim Chissano

Namibia H.E. President Sam Nujoma

South Africa H.E President Thabo Mbeki

Swaziland H. M. King Mswati III

United Republic  of Tanzania: H.E. President Benjamin W. Mkapa

Zambia H.E. President Levy Mwanawasa

Zimbabwe H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe

2. The Head of State and Government of Lesotho was represented by Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Lehohla; that of Mauritius by Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Paul Berenger; and that of Seychelles by H.E. Peter Sinon, High Commissioner of Seychelles to South Africa.

6. Also in attendance were the President of the African Development Bank, H. E. Omar Kabbaj, the Interim Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Amara Essy, the Assistant Secretary General of the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa, Mr Sindiso Ngwenya and the Director of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, (ECA) Regional Office for Southern Africa, Mr Robert Okello.

7. In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the outgoing SADC Chairperson, H.E. Bakili Muluzi, President of the Republic of Malawi, described 2002 as a historic year for the region as epitomised by the peace and stability in Angola, the withdrawal of troops from the DRC, the launch of the African Union and the hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. President Muluzi also spoke about the need for sustainable development and emphasised that it required acknowledging people and putting them at the centre of development policies. He called for the empowerment of all peoples, particularly women and the poor in order for them to play a meaningful role in the management of the region’s abundant natural resources.

8. The incoming Chairperson of SADC, H.E. Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola and host of the 2002 Summit, extended a warm welcome to SADC Heads of State and Government, and other delegates to Angola. He noted that the Summit was taking place at the time when Angola had achieved peace and stability. He noted that SADC had to define the correct strategy for the also harmonisation of macroeconomic policies bearing in mind the need for regional economic growth and the potential of each country. President Dos Santos called on SADC to pay special attention to women within the context of human development, especially in the area of education as it has been proven that higher literacy among women contributes to the reduction of child mortality.

6. In his address to the Summit, the President of the African Development Bank, His Excellency Omar Kabbaj said that SADC holds the promise of achieving rapid and sustainable development as a result of the commitment of its members to regional cooperation and integration. He noted that SADC had made significant progress in drawing up effective plans for the exploitation of common resources and for the development of regional infrastructure projects.

7. In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy noted that with peace and stability in SADC, the prospects for enhancing and consolidating the integration process were now brighter. He indicated that substantial progress had been achieved in the Restructuring of SADC Institutions, a process aimed at consolidating and deepening the SADC integration agenda. He also highlighted the inclusiveness aspects of the exercise.

8. The official opening of the Summit also witnessed the announcement of the winners of the 2002 Regional Secondary Schools Essay Competition, the theme of which was natural resources and the environment in the context of sustainable development. The first prize was awarded to: Vicky K Luchman of Mauritius, the second prize to Melissa Meyer of Namibia and the third to Kagiso Jani of Botswana.

9. Three media practitioners received certificates and prizes for having contributed the best printed work to the first SADC Media Award Competition. They are Raphael Mweninguwe from Malawi, Ellen Chikale from Zambia and Takawira Musara from Zimbabwe.

10. The official opening session also witnessed the ceremonial handover of the chairpersonship from His Excellency, Dr Bakili Muluzi, President of the Republic of Malawi to His Excellency President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos.

Summit also elected President Benjamin Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania as Deputy Chairperson of SADC.

11. Summit unanimously re-elected President Joaquim Chissano, President of the Republic of Mozambique as Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation for a further one-year term and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Prof. Pakalitha Mosisili as the Deputy Chairperson.

12. On the political situation, Summit expressed satisfaction that a new era of peace and stability had dawned in the region with the ceasefire agreement signed in Angola in April 2002 and a number of power-sharing and ceasefire agreements signed between the Government of the DRC and other parties to the DRC conflict.

13. Summit received a briefing from the Government of Angola on the latest military and political developments in the country. It was indicated that fighting had stopped completely in the entire country since the signing of the peace agreement on April 4, 2002. So far, 5, 000 former UNITA soldiers have been integrated into the national army and police, UNITA has been de-militarised and is now a political party and demobilised soldiers have been integrated into society and some are being trained for civilian jobs.

14. Summit welcomed with satisfaction the return of peace in Angola, which represents an added value to the stability of the Southern and Central African regions as well as of the African continent as a whole. It commended the Government and the People of Angola for embracing the spirit of national reconciliation and, in particular, His Excellency President José Eduardo dos Santos for his demonstrated magnanimity and encouraged the people of Angola to pursue the path of peace. In this regard, Summit welcomed the Angolan Government′s decision to hold elections in 2004.

15. Summit acknowledged with appreciation the efforts made by the Government of Angola and the international community in the provision of humanitarian assistance to the demobilized former UNITA forces, to their families and to all population affected by war as well as in the mobilization of resources for social integration.

16. Summit expressed its support to the ongoing efforts aimed at providing assistance to demobilized soldiers, orphans, internally displaced people and the population affected by the war, with a view to ensuring their social reintegration and rehabilitation.

17. Summit appealed to the international community at large and to the African community, in particular, to continue providing urgent humanitarian assistance to enable the Angolan people to address the humanitarian challenges facing the country. It further appealed to the international community to respond favourably to the planned donors’ conference for the social reintegration, reconstruction and development of Angola to be held under the auspices of the United Nations.

18. His Excellency President Joseph Kabila briefed the Summit on the latest developments in the resolution of the conflict in the DRC which has so far claimed three million lives.

19. Summit commended the DRC Government, and in particular President Kabila for his flexibility and goodwill towards building peace and promoting national reconciliation. Summit pledged its continued support for the DRC in its efforts to re-build the country and a new society.

20. His Excellency President Robert Mugabe briefed the Summit on the situation in Zimbabwe particularly on the land reform programme.

21 Summit also noted that the region continues with efforts directed at deepening and accelerating reforms to constitutional, political and electoral systems to ensure that they are participatory, transparent, accountable, inclusive and predictable.

22. Summit received a report from the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, His Excellency President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, which gave an overall picture of the political, defence and security situation in the region. The report covered developments in Angola, DRC and Zimbabwe as well as combating

terrorism, the status of ratification of the Protocol of Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation which has been ratified by six countries, the humanitarian crisis and disaster management.

23. Summit noted that at the continental level, through collective efforts, remarkable progress has been achieved towards strengthening African unity. To this end, a giant step has been taken with the launch of the African Union in July 2002 in Durban, South Africa. Summit also noted that the region is faced with a formidable challenge to ensure that the

African Union works for the benefit of all the people of the continent.

24. With regard to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Summit appointed His Excellency, President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos as the fourth member to represent SADC on the NEPAD Heads of State Implementation Committee. The other Heads of State in the Committee are His Excellency President Festus Mogae of Botswana, His Excellency President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and His Excellency President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa.

25. With regard to the economic situation, Summit expressed satisfaction at the sound macro-economic reforms being implemented by SADC Member States. Summit observed that on average, the region has achieved positive GDP growth rates since the mid 1990s. Notwithstanding this, Summit acknowledged that the region still faces major challenges such as poverty, HIV/AIDS and food security. In this respect, Summit mandated the Troika to guide and expedite the development of the Regional Indicative Strategic Plan (RISDP) which should be completed soon.

Summit also directed the Ministers responsible for Economic Development and Finance to meet urgently to work on a short/term plan to revitalise the regional economy with a view to ensuring sustained growth and development.

26. Summit further noted that during 2001, SADC Member States continued to implement policies aimed at reducing inflation to one digit levels. However, the current status reflects that there has been a reduction of the average inflation rate for SADC from approximately 11 per cent in 2000, to 10 per cent in 2001.

27 Summit noted the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS as well as Tuberculosis, Malaria and other infectious diseases on the population of the region. In particular, Summit expressed concern that the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the Southern African region continues to be a major developmental challenge. In this regard, Summit urged Member States to mobilise more resources to fight this pandemic and other communicable diseases.

28. Summit noted with great concern the food crisis gripping six Member States in the region and the attendant humanitarian situation caused by the acute food shortages. The six countries affected are Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Summit also noted that Angola and DRC were also forecasting food shortages.

29. Summit noted with appreciation that the World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with the affected Member States has been distributing relief food to 4.3 million people in the affected countries since April 2002. The number of people -affected by the food crisis is estimated to rise to 14.4 million by March 2003, requiring an additional 1.05 million tonnes of cereals from September 2002.

30. Summit noted the Joint SADC/UN Appeal for assistance to avert the humanitarian Crisis, which was launched in New York on 18th July 2002 for an amount of US$611 million. Of this total, US$507 million is for food aid and US$31 million is for agriculture, among others, for the six affected countries.

By September 2002, about US$183 million had been mobilized for food aid and US$12 million for non-food requirements. Summit called upon the SADC Secretariat to intensify its resource mobilisation efforts.

31. Summit welcomed with gratitude an offer of 100,000 tonnes of maize by South Africa to be distributed through WFP and the milling at its own cost, of the 600,000 tonnes of GMO maize currently stored at South African port.

32. Summit also urged Member States assisted by the SADC Secretariat to continue taking concerted measures to address the medium and long-term challenges posed by the food crisis.

33. With regard to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Summit noted that Member States are in the process of enacting GMOs legislation. Todate South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe have enacted legislation on GMOs.

34. Summit also noted the establishment by the SADC Council of Ministers of an Advisory Committee on GMOs to develop guidelines to assist Member States guard against potential risks in Food Safety, Contamination of Genetic Resources, Ethical issues, Trade related issues and Consumer concerns.

35. Summit also noted that Member States are at liberty to take a position to accept or reject GMO grain coming as food aid. In the event that a Member State accepts this grain, it should undertake awareness campaigns to ensure that GMO maize is not planted and also ensure that all GMO maize is milled into flour before any distribution to beneficiaries.

As a long-term measure, Member States should develop capacity to deal with GMO issues particularly for testing and monitoring.

36. On the issue of gender equality, Summit received a report on the progress made by SADC Member States towards reaching the target of 30% of women in politics and decision-making structures by the year 2005, which was set out in the 1997 SADC Declaration on Gender and Development.

37. Summit observed that overall women remain largely under represented in decision-making positions. Most reports recommend that more work should be done in order to achieve the minimum target. Summit urged Member States to continue to seize the opportunity presented by elections and cabinet reshuffles to nominate more women in decision-making positions.

38. On community building, Summit noted that twenty-one protocols have been successfully negotiated and concluded and of these, ten have entered into force. Summit also urged member States to ratify or accede to all Protocols as speedily as possible. Summit also signed four legal instruments, namely: the Protocol on Extradition, Protocol on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Protocol on Forestry and the Agreement

Amending the Protocol on the Tribunal.

39. Summit received a progress Report from the Council of Ministers on the implementation of the Review of the Operations of SADC institutions.

These include the major tasks which have been completed, the tasks under implementation and the challenges being encountered in the restructuring process. Among the tasks completed are:

• The establishment of three Directorates, namely: Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment, Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Directorate on Social and Human Development and Special Programmes;

• Mobilisation of resources in the form of human resources from Member States through secondment of officers to the Directorates and funds from International Cooperating Partners (ICPs) for financing key activities related to the restructuring exercise;

• The adoption of a formula for Member States contribution;

• The establishment of SADC National Committees in most Member States;

• The completion of the Study on the Auditing of Assets, Programmes and projects of SCUs and SADC Institutions;

• The production of the Consolidated version of the Treaty and the consequential amendments of Protocols;

• Commencement of work on the RISDP, including the recruitment of experts and the production of the Interim Report on the RISDP;

40. Summit directed that work on the RISDP should be expedited.

41. Summit accepted the offer by His Excellency President Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania to host the next Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in 2003 in Tanzania.

42. Summit thanked His Excellency President Bakili Muluzi for his able leadership and the accomplishments of SADC during his tenure of office.

43. Summit thanked representatives of other regional and continental organisations for attending the 2002 Summit.

44. Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of Angola for hosting the Summit and for the warm hospitality extended to all delegates. Summit also thanked all SADC institutions, which contributed to the successful organisation of the Summit.

45. Summit expressed its gratitude to the international community for the support extended to SADC.

46. His Excellency President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos of Angola officially closed the Summit, and outlined his vision as Chairperson of SADC for the next year.

47. His Excellency President Benjamin Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania passed a vote of thanks in which he invited his colleagues to attend the next ordinary Summit in Tanzania in 2003.

48. Finally, the Summit received with appreciation the report of the Third Meeting of the First Ladies on Poverty presented by Her Excellency Madame Patricia Shamil Muluzi, First Lady of the Republic of Malawi.

SADC SUMMIT ON HIV/AIDS

COMMUNIQUÉ

MASERU – LESOTHO: 4 JULY, 2003

1. The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on HIV/AIDS was held in Maseru, Lesotho on 4 July 2003, and was chaired by His Excellency, Eng. Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola.

The Heads of State and Government of SADC present at the Summit were:

Angola H.E. President Mr Jose Eduardo Dos Santos

Botswana H.E. President Mr Festus G. Mogae

Zimbabwe H.E. President Mr Robert G. Mugabe

Malawi His Honour Vice President Mr Justin Malewezi

Lesotho Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Prof. Pakalitha Mosisili

Mozambique Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Dr Pascoal Mocumbi

South Africa His Honour Deputy President Mr Jacob Zuma

U.R. of Tanzania His Honour Vice President Dr Ali Mohammed Shein

Zambia His Honour Vice President, Dr Nevers Mumba

2. The Heads of State or Government of the following countries were represented as follows:

Swaziland Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Mr A R V Khoza

Mauritius Honourable Mr A. K. Jugnauth, Minister of Health and Quality of Life

Namibia Honourable Dr Libertine Amathila, Minister of Health and Social Services

Democratic Republic of Congo: H.E. Mr Bene M’poko, Ambassador of the DRC to South Africa

3. Seychelles was not represented at the Summit.

4. Also in attendance were SADC Ministers of Health, of Finance and of Gender/Women’s Affairs, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy, the Managing Director of the World Bank, Dr Mamphela Ramphele and representatives of UN agencies, international cooperating partners and civil society and NGOs.

5. In his official opening statement, His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, extended a warm welcome to the Heads of State and Government. He said the Summit was being held at a time when sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Africa in particular was being threatened by the menacing dark clouds of HIV/AIDS which had undone some of the past socio-economic achievements and threatened to wipe out all the gains that could be made in the future. King Letsie III said efforts by Member States aimed at achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to halve global poverty by 2015 were being seriously undermined by the HIV/AIDS scourge.

6. King Letsie III further said that leaders in the SADC region were duty bound to formulate a multi-sectoral and multi-faceted response to the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS. This response should include, among other things, the intensification of targeted prevention and education programmes, better treatment including provision of antiretrovirals, better and more humane care and support for orphans and vulnerable groups and vulnerable groups and scaling up the fight against stigma and discrimination.

7. In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the SADC Chairperson, His Excellency, Eng. Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola, noted that the impact of the virus upon the social fabric of societies in SADC as well as on the economies of the Member States has had a devastating effect, with nearly two thirds of the people of the region directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic. He said that HIV/AIDS was a threat to the survival of the people of the region and a serious problem that demands a serious and immediate solution.

8. President Dos Santos expressed the hope that the Summit will adopt a global strategy for the fight against HIV/AIDS in the region. He also called for the establishment of a framework for more active solidarity among governments, international cooperating partners and the private sector which should result in the setting up of a financial fund for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

9. Delivering a vote of thanks, His Excellency, President Robert G. Mugabe of Zimbabwe applauded the Government of Lesotho for successfully hosting the Summit and for their friendship and hospitality. He also noted that HIV/AIDS threatens to decimate the human race, particularly in the SADC region, which is the epicenter of the pandemic in the entire globe.

He said in the quest for survival, SADC leaders are committing themselves to combating the disease through regional efforts in order to halt and roll back the pandemic.

10. President Mugabe called on the Ministries responsible for Finance and Planning to appreciate and articulate the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on national economies, mobilize and channel more resources for HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support to enable Member States to meet the targets set in the Abuja Declaration of 2001.

11. In his introductory remarks, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy said the battle against HIV/AIDS was getting more difficult and complex, especially when taking cognisance of the frightening figures of HIV prevalence rates, the increasing morbidity rates which have resulted in millions of orphans and declines in life expectancy. He said this situation needs to be reversed and that the battle against HIV/AIDS has to be won however difficult it is.

12. The official opening ceremony was also addressed by the Interim Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, the Managing Director of the World Bank, Dr Mamphela Ramphele and the Regional Director for Africa of the World Health Organisation, Dr Ibrahim Samba.

13. Summit was preceded by a meeting of the of Ministers of Health, of Finance and of Gender/Women’s Affairs which was held on 3 July 2003 and a Non-Governmental Organisations Forum which was held on 1 July 2003.

14. The Ministerial meeting was officially opened by Rt. Hon. Pakalitha Mosisili, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

15. Summit also noted the SADC HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework and Plan of Action: 2003-2007, which was adopted by the Ministerial meeting as a working document. The Framework is a multi-dimensional response to HIV/AIDS, which aims at intensifying measures and actions to address the adverse effects of the pandemic on the social, economic and political spheres of SADC nations.

16. Specifically, the Framework aims at reducing the incidence of new infections among the most vulnerable groups within SADC; mitigating the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS; reviewing, developing and harmonising policies and legislation relating to HIV prevention, care and support, and treatment within SADC; and mobilising and coordinating resources for a multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS in the SADC Region.

17. The Framework also provides a situational and response analysis of HIV/AIDS in the region, which reveals that approximately 15 million people are HIV positive in the SADC Region. This represents about 51% of all infections in Africa, and about 37% of the global total thus making the SADC region the worst affected in the world.

18. It is estimated that to date, close to 10 million people have died of HIV/AIDS related diseases in the Region with over one million having died in 2001 alone. The epidemic has increased levels of poverty, decimated households and created, resulted in high levels of school dropouts and child headed households.

19. In terms of impact, the epidemic has had a devastating and profound effect on all socio-economic sectors and all levels of society including individuals, households and communities.

20. Summit noted that Member States have put in place measures at both national and regional levels to prevent new HIV infections and mitigate the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. These include the adoption of multisectoral strategic plans and leadership response and commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS as evidenced by their commitment to the Abuja Declaration and Plan of Action, the New Partnership for Africa’s

Development (NEPAD), the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the UN General Assembly Special Session of HIV/AIDS.

21. Summit also noted the Best Practices and Challenges facing Member States in the implementation of their HIV/AIDS Programmes. The best practices include interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission, involving voluntary testing as well as ARV therapy therapy to the infected parents and their children to prevent orphanhood of HIV and establishment and implementation of workplace HIV/AIDS prevention and management programmes.

22. Summit noted that one of the major challenges in the fight against HIV/AIDS is the high cost of essential medicines including ARVs. In this regard, Summit agreed that the issue of bulk purchasing and manufacturing of generic drugs should be accorded top priority in the implementation of the Strategic Framework.

23. Summit also urged neighbouring Member States to establish bilateral coordination mechanisms to share experiences and best practices in the fight against HIV/AIDS in core intervention areas, including care and treatment. To this end the Summit agreed to intensify awareness campaigns, raise and strengthen political will and commitment in the fight against the pandemic.

24 Summit underscored the importance of resource mobilization in the fight against HIV/AIDS. To this end, Summit approved the establishment of a regional fund for the implementation of the SADC HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework and Programme of Action 2003-2007 and urged International Cooperating Partners and international development finance institutions to generously contribute to the fund.

25. Summit noted with appreciation financial and technical support provided by International Cooperating Partners (ICPs) to SADC Member States in the fight against HIV/AIDS through various initiatives such as the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and President Bush’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS Relief (EPAR). Summit appealed for a relaxation in the stringent requirements attached to accessing these funds on the part of ICPs in view of the emergency and humanitarian nature of the HIV/AIDS crisis for which the support is needed.

26. With regard to EPAR, Summit mandated the Troika to negotiate with the President of the United States of America for the extension of the support to all SADC Member States. Summit also directed the Secretariat to develop concrete project proposals consistent with the SADC HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework and Programme of Action 2003-2007 for use by the Troika in its negotiations under EPAR.

27. Summit urged Member States to continue to submit their applications to the Global Fund to access complimentarity funding for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria programmes and urged for the expeditious disbursement of resources under this initiative.

28. Summit also urged Member States to continue efforts towards allocating at least 15% of their national budgets, consistent with the Abuja Declaration.

29 Summit also directed appropriate SADC Ministers to meet jointly, in the context of the Integrated Committee of Ministers to address the food security crisis in the region.

30. The SADC Heads of State and Government also adopted and signed the Maseru Declaration on the Fight against HIV/AIDS in the SADC Region, which reaffirms the Heads of State and Government’s commitment to the combating of HIV/AIDS pandemic in all its manifestations, as a matter of urgency through multi-sectoral strategic interventions as contained in the new SADC HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework and Programme of Action 2003-2007.

31. The Maseru Declaration on the Fight against HIV/AIDS in the SADC Region also identifies a number of priority areas which include access to care, testing and treatment; prevention and social mobilization; resource mobilization; development oriented approach; and monitoring and evaluation.

32. Summit expressed appreciation to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Lesotho for hosting the HIV/AIDS Summit and for the warm hospitality extended to all the delegates. Summit also thanked the World Bank, UNAIDS, UNDP for all the assistance provided and all the stakeholders, including NGOs and international cooperating partners for their valuable contributions to discussions during the Summit and the meetings that preceded it.

COMMUNIQUÉ

TANZANIA – DAR ES SALAAM: 25-26 AUGUST, 2003

The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), met in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania on 25-26 August, and was chaired by His Excellency, Mr Benjamin W. Mkapa, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Heads of State and Government of SADC present at the Summit were:

Angola H.E. President Jose Eduardo dos Santos

Botswana H.E. President Festus G. Mogae

Democratic Republic of Congo: H. E. President Joseph Kabila

Lesotho Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili

Malawi H.E. President Bakili Muluzi

Mauritius Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth

Mozambique H.E. President Joaquim Chissano

Namibia H.E. President Sam Nujoma

South Africa H.E President Thabo Mbeki

Swaziland H. M. King Mswati III

United Republic of Tanzania: H.E. President Benjamin W. Mkapa

Zambia H.E. President Levy Mwanawasa

Zimbabwe H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe

2. The Seychelles did not participate in the meeting 3. Also in attendance were, the Secretary General of the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa, Mr Erastus Mwencha, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Mr Nuwe Amanya Mushega and representatives of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the NEPAD

Secretariat of the African Union Commission and the African Development Bank.

4. In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the outgoing SADC Chairperson, H.E. Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola, outlined the major achievements during his tenure as Chairpersonship. He expressed his satisfaction with progress made in the implementation of the restructuring exercise, in particular the completion of the formulation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, which is the blue-print for the economic development of the region. He stressed that the challenge now is to implement this Plan, which has clear timebound goals and targets that Member States should adhere to if poverty is to be reduced significantly in the region. In this regard, he called for the mobilisation of resources from within and outside the region to finance regional programmes and activities that are geared towards poverty eradication.

5. President Dos Santos also highlighted the outcome of the SADC Summit on HIV and AIDS, which was held in Maseru, Lesotho in July 2003, where a Declaration was adopted. The Maseru Declaration on the Fight Against HIV and AIDS identifies a number of priority areas such as access to care, testing and treatment. He noted that it was imperative for SADC to execute the decisions that emerged from this Summit such as the establishment of a regional fund for the implementation of the SADC HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework and Programme of Action for 2003-2007.

6. The incoming Chairperson of SADC, H.E. Benjamin W. Mkapa, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and host of the 2003 Summit, extended a warm welcome to SADC Heads of State and Government, and other delegates to the United Republic of Tanzania, and particularly to Dar es Salaam. Paraphrasing the words of the late founding President of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, H.E. Mkapa urged SADC citizens to mould themselves into a modern day candle whose light will shine beyond the borders of individual Member countries, and also in the rest of the African continent, giving hope where there is despair, love where there is hate and dignity that comes from victory in the war against poverty and HIV and AIDS.

7. The official opening session also witnessed the ceremonial handover of the chairpersonship from H.E. Mr Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola to H.E. President Benjamin W. Mkapa. Summit also elected Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth of the Republic of Mauritius as Deputy Chairperson of SADC.

8. In his acceptance statement, President Mkapa outlined his vision as Chairperson of SADC for the next year. He noted that the rapid and far reaching changes in the world reinforce the need to act regionally with utmost urgency to keep pace with the information communication and technological forces that are driving the globalisation process. He emphasised that SADC provides a strong framework to build upon, and to enable the region to speak to the globalising world with a united and firm negotiating power that cannot be ignored. To this end, H.E. Mkapa urged the SADC delegates going to Cancun, Mexico for the World Trade Organisation Ministerial meeting to speak with the strongest united voice for an equal chance in the battle for life.

9. H.E. President Mkapa called upon Member States to implement all protocols as they help exploit the region’s natural resources and the creation of a large integrated regional market, which is a decisive lead factor for attracting foreign direct investment.

10. Summit elected the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Rt. Hon. Prof. Pakalitha Mosisili as Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and H.E. President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, as the Deputy Chairperson. In his acceptance statement, Rt. Hon. Mosisili pledged his utmost commitment to the execution and realisation of the Organ’s mandate. He called for the strengthening of the Organ in order for it to respond to challenges such as the observance of the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and commitment to democratic governance.

11. In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy noted that the Summit was a historical one as the venue was home to most of leaders during the time they were fighting against oppression in all its forms. These leaders are now in another fight, which is more complex and difficult. This is the fight against poverty and underdevelopment. He pointed out that the approved Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, which is a blueprint for SADC’s prioritised regional interventions for tackling poverty and underdevelopment is now ready for implementation.

12. Dr Ramsamy also highlighted the challenges facing the region such as HIV and AIDS, which is having a devastating impact on development, high external debt and perennial disaster hazards from drought and floods, which need to be managed properly. He underscored the need for the region to embark on prioritised programme of activities for sustainable growth and development.

13. Ambassador Keitaro Sato, from Japan delivered a special message from the Japanese Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Junichiro Koizumi, in which Japan pledged to strengthen ties with SADC as a regional bloc as well as through continental initiatives such as NEPAD. He also welcomed SADC leaders to the 3rd Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III) to be held in Tokyo in October 2003.

14. The official opening of the Summit also featured the announcement of the winners of the 2003 Regional Secondary Schools Essay Competition, the theme of which was illicit drugs production, trafficking and abuse in the SADC region. The first prize was awarded to Nthabeleng Moketsepane of Lesotho, the second prize to Kaelo Tinkane of Botswana and the third prize to Andrew Chagula of the United Republic of Tanzania.

15. The 2003 Media Awards ceremony was also held during the official opening of the Summit. Three finalists received their prizes as follows: Ms Rosario Mwila Lubumbashi from Zambia Information Services for the radio category; Mr Luis Domingos from Angolan Television for the television category and Mr Amos Chanda from the Zambia Daily Mail for the print category.

16. Summit received a report from the outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, His Excellency President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, which indicated that generally peace and stability continue to prevail in the region. The report covered the situation in Angola, the DRC, Zimbabwe and terrorism.

17. With regard to the situation in Angola, Summit noted with satisfaction progress made on the consolidation of peace after many years of political strife. Summit noted the concrete measures taken by the Government of Angola to ensure the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons as well as their resettlement.

18. Summit commended Angola for the orderly manner in which the resettlement of refugees and displaced persons is being undertaken. It also noted the political measures such as the review of the constitution and electoral bill the Government has taken towards consolidating peace and political stability. In this regard Summit urged all Member States to support Angola in her efforts towards the consolidation of peace and in mobilizing the donor community to attend the International Donor Conference on the Reconstruction of Angola. Member States were also urged to support Angola in the resettlement of over three million refugees and displaced persons.

19. Summit expressed its appreciation to Botswana, DRC, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, UNHCR and other cooperating partners for their efforts towards voluntary repatriation of refugees to Angola. Summit further expressed gratitude to Botswana for contributing one million Pula (approx. USD 200 000) towards voluntary repatriation of refugees and granting citizenship to 300 former refugees.

20. On the DRC, Summit welcomed the peace process in the Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has led to the inauguration of the Transitional Government. Summit urged all the signatories to the Global and Inclusive Peace Agreement to ensure lasting peace and stability in the country by honouring all the commitments made in the agreement.

21. Summit expressed profound appreciation to the key players who contributed in various ways towards the DRC peace process. In particular, Summit noted the roles played by the Facilitator of the Inter Congolese Dialogue, Sir Ketumile Masire, and the Republic of South Africa. The roles played by Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe in restoring stability in the DRC, as well as the role played by the Government of Zambia in facilitating the adoption and implementation of the Lusaka Agreement were equally commended. Summit urged Member States to provide support to ensure that the momentum already gained in the peace process is not lost.

22. Summit also welcomed the steps taken at both regional and international levels to address the situation of insecurity in the Ituri region.

23. On Zimbabwe, Summit noted that the region continued to work with Zimbabwe to address its political and economic situation within the framework of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

24. Summit re-affirmed the indivisibility of SADC and solidarity with Zimbabwe and that it will continue to work with the country in order to encourage and sustain the positive developments that are taking place in the search for lasting solutions.

25. Summit also committed itself to continue opposing the Commonwealth, the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (US) sanctions as they hurt not only ordinary Zimbabweans but also have profound social and economic implications on the region as a whole. In this regard, Summit urged SADC International Cooperating Partners, particularly the Commonwealth, the EU and the US to lift the sanctions and engage in a constructive dialogue with Zimbabwe.

26. Summit thanked H.E. President Chissano for ably steering the activities of the Organ for the past two years.

27. Summit adopted new criteria for admission of new members.

28. With regard to the economic situation in the region, Summit expressed satisfaction at the sound macro-economic reforms being implemented by SADC Member States, which resulted in the reduction of inflation rates and budget deficits in most of the Member States. Summit observed that in 2002, the region achieved a GDP growth rate of 3.2% an increase from the 2.7% achieved in 2001.

29. Summit noted the devastating effects of HIV and AIDS as well as tuberculosis, malaria and other infectious diseases on the population of the region. In particular, Summit expressed concern that the HIV and AIDS pandemic in the Southern African region continues to be a major threat to the developmental gains attained so far. Summit commended the outgoing Chairperson for convening a Summit on HIV and AIDS in Maseru, Lesotho in July 2003. One of the outcomes of the Summit included approval for the establishment of a regional fund for the implementation of the SADC HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework and Programme of Action 2003-2007. The Summit in Maseru also adopted and signed the Maseru Declaration on the Fight against HIV and AIDS in the SADC Region, which identifies a number of priority areas including access to care, testing and treatment; prevention and social mobilization; resource mobilization; development oriented approach; and monitoring and evaluation.

30. Summit noted the improvement in the food security situation in the region during the 2003-2004 consumption year compared to the previous year.

The number of people needing food assistance is estimated to reach 7.0 million by January 2004 compared to 15.2 million people in March 2003.

The food shortages are mainly a result of two consecutive years of droughts and floods aggravated by a general reduction in resource allocation to agriculture and the HIV and AIDS pandemic, which increased the vulnerability of affected families.

31. Summit noted that the regional cereal production increased slightly from 21.55 million tonnes in 2001/2002 to 22.89 million tonnes in 2002/3.

However, the region is still expecting a cereal shortfall of around 1.74 million tonnes. This is mainly in maize, wheat, rice, sorghum and millet.

32. On the issue of gender equality, Summit noted with satisfaction that the overall regional situation indicates that Member States are making progress in the promotion of women’s representation in political structures.

There is also a deliberate and gradual increase in the proportion of women’s representation in various structures in most Member States.

33. Summit noted that following the recent constitutional review in Swaziland, the draft national constitution provides for 30% women’s representation in all power and decision-making positions.

34. The Kingdom of Swaziland is holding elections in 2003 while Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa are expected to hold elections in 2004 and the United Republic of Tanzania and Zimbabwe are expected to hold elections in 2005.

35. Therefore, Summit urged those Member States that have not attained the target to use the opportunities of the forthcoming elections and other measures to achieve the minimum 30% of women’s representation in political and decision-making structures by 2005.

36. Summit also noted the progress made in the Restructuring of SADC Institutions, which began in March 2001 and is now nearing completion. In particular, Summit noted that all four Directorates have now been established, SADC National Committees are operational at Member State level and that the Study on the New SADC Organisational Structure has been approved and implementation will commence in April 2004 on an incremental basis in order to make it cost effective.

37. Summit approved the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) and the Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ (SIPO) urged all SADC Member States, institutions and stakeholders to participate in their implementation. Summit called for the coordination and rationalization of the two plans in order to maximize the synergies inherent in them.

38. On community building, Summit noted with concern that Member States were slow in ratifying or acceding to Protocols. To date twelve (12) protocols have been ratified and entered into force. Eleven Protocols still need to be ratified in order to enter into force. In this regard, Summit urged those Member States to expedite the process of either ratification or accession to any of the Protocols. Summit congratulated the United Republic of Tanzania for having ratified all protocols.

39. Summit signed the SADC Charter on Fundamental Social Rights, which among other things, calls for creation of a conducive environment to facilitate closer and active consultations among partners and in a spirit conducive to harmonious labour relations.

40. Summit also signed the Mutual Defence Pact which deepens the cooperation in the area of politics, defence and security.

41. Summit received a progress Report from the Council of Ministers on the implementation of the Review of the Operations of SADC institutions.

These include the major tasks, which have been completed, the tasks under implementation and the challenges being encountered in the restructuring process. Among the tasks completed are:

• The establishment of all four Directorates, namely: Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment, Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Services and Social and Human Development and Special Programmes;

• The operationalisation of the Integrated Committee of Ministers;

• The mobilisation of resources in the form of human resources from Member States through secondment of officers to the Directorates and funds from International Cooperating Partners (ICPs) for financing key activities related to the restructuring exercise;

• The establishment of SADC National Committees in most Member States;

• Completion of the formulation of the RISDP; and

• The adoption and operationalisation of the study on the Implementation of the New SADC Structure.

42. Summit noted with satisfaction the Declaration issued at the end of the parallel meeting of the SADC First Ladies and called for its implementation.

43. Summit noted that at the continental level, the region hosted the Summit of the AU for the second consecutive year and congratulated H.E. President Chissano for his election as Chairperson of the AU for the next year. H.E. Chissano thanked SADC leaders for the support given to Mozambique, which enabled the latter to successfully host the Summit. Summit pledged to continue to give its maximum support to President Chissano during his tenure as Chairperson of the AU.

44. With regard to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Summit urged Member States to integrate NEPAD agreed priorities in areas such as agriculture, health, information communication and infrastructure development into their National Development Plans and to increase resource allocation to these priority areas. Summit directed for the convening of a High Level Ministerial meeting on NEPAD to facilitate the integration of NEPAD into SADC’s regional integration programme activities.

45. Summit endorsed the Council decision which mandated the Ministers of Trade to meet as a matter of urgency to prepare negotiating guidelines and to initiate negotiations with the EU on Economic Partnerships Agreements (EPAs).

46. Summit expressed deep regret at the death of the UN Representative in Iraq, Mr Sergio Vieira de Mello in a bomb attack on the UN offices in Baghdad. Summit expressed condolences to his family and the UN Secretary General and Staff. Summit also expressed deep regret at the loss of lives in the bomb explosions in the Indian city of Mumbai in which at least 40 people were killed. Summit expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the Government of India. Summit also expressed shock at the untimely death of the Vice President of the Republic of Kenya, Honourable Michael Christopher Kijana Wamalwa who passed away in London last Saturday.

47. Summit congratulated Rwanda for holding peaceful elections, which are a major step in the consolidation of peace and democracy in that country.

48. Summit accepted the offer by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth of the Republic of Mauritius to host the next Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in August 2004.

49. Summit thanked His Excellency President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos for his able leadership and the accomplishments of SADC during his tenure of office.

50. Summit thanked representatives of other regional and continental organisations for attending the 2003 Summit.

51. Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania for hosting the Summit and for the warm hospitality extended to all delegates. Summit also thanked the SADC Secretariat for the successful organisation of the Summit.

52. Summit expressed its gratitude to the international community for the support extended to SADC.

53. His Excellency President Benjamin Mkapa officially closed the Summit.

54. Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth of the Republic of Mauritius passed a vote of thanks in which he invited his colleagues to attend the next ordinary Summit in Mauritius in 2004.

COMMUNIQUÉ

2004 SADC HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT SUMMIT ON

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

TANZANIA: DAR-ES-SALAAM 15 MAY

1. The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Agriculture and Food Security was held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania on 15 May 2004, and was chaired by His Excellency, Benjamin W. Mkapa, President of the United Republic of Tanzania. The Summit was held under the theme:

Enhancing Agriculture and Food Security for Poverty Reduction in the SADC Region.

The Heads of State and Government and Heads of Delegation present at the Summit were:

Angola H.E. Prime Minister, Mr Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos

Botswana Hon. Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Baledzi Gaolathe

Democratic Republic of Congo: H. E. Vice President Mr Jean Pierre Bemba

Lesotho Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr Pakalitha Mosisili

Malawi Hon. Minister of Housing, Mr Kaliyoma Phumisa

Republic of Mauritius Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources, Mr Nandcoomar Bodha

Mozambique Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Leonardo Simao

Namibia H.E. President Dr Sam Nujoma

South Africa Honourable Deputy President, Jacob Zuma

Swaziland Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr Absalom T Dlamini

United Republic of Tanzania: H.E. President Mr Benjamin W. Mkapa

Zambia His Honour Vice President Dr Nevers Mumba

Zimbabwe H.E. President Mr Robert Gabriel Mugabe

2. Seychelles was not represented at the Summit.

3. Also in attendance were Members of the SADC Council of Ministers and SADC Ministers of Agriculture, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy, the Director General of the Food Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Dr Jacques Diouf, NEPAD, representatives of the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the World Food Programme, and the Africa Zero Emissions Research Initiative (ZERI).

4. In his official opening statement, His Excellency President Mkapa, the Chairperson of SADC extended a warm welcome to the Heads of State and Government and all delegates to the Summit. He underlined the need for the region to continue to fight together for economic liberation of Southern Africa, especially in finding a lasting solution to the pressing questions of food security and sustainable poverty reduction. He said the Summit affords SADC Leaders an opportunity to build political will to put the question of agriculture and food security at the heart of national and regional priorities.

5. Quoting an African proverb that says “Where there is no shame there is no honour”, President Mkapa called on the Leaders to bring honour to SADC by ensuring that the region feeds itself on a sustainable basis.

6. In his introductory statement, the Executive Secretary of SADC said that the Extra-Ordinary Summit allowed SADC to have an action oriented road map with a clear time frame and responsibilities that will enable the region to address the situation. He stressed that food security was an urgent necessity and therefore there is need to combine efforts at the household, national, regional and continental levels to combat hunger and food shortages.

7. In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the Director General for Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Dr Jacques Diouf said FAO is providing assistance to each Member State for the preparation or update of five-year national programmes of agricultural development and food security under the NEPAD Comprehensive Agriculture Programme. FAO has also worked with SADC in preparing a

Regional Programme for Food Security for which resources are now needed for implementation.

8. Summit was preceded by meetings of the Extra-Ordinary Council of Ministers and Ministers of Agriculture and Natural resources who met in February 2004.

9. Summit noted with concern that total cereal production in the SADC region has remained stagnant for over a decade remaining at the same level in 2003 as it was in 1990, with an estimated 22,753 000 and 22,062 000 metric tonnes respectively. In the same period the population has grown from 152 million to 212 million.

10. Summit further noted that agriculture is a major sector in SADC, contributing 35% to the regional GDP and 13% of total export earnings. In addition, about 70% of the population of SADC depends on agriculture for food, income and employment. However, given the huge land mass available in SADC suitable for the production of food crops and livestock farming, agricultural productivity remains at very low levels.

11. In this regard, the SADC Heads of State and Government adopted and signed the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security in the SADC Region, which reaffirms their commitment to ensuring accelerated agricultural development and sustainable food security, as a matter of urgency through multi-sectoral strategic interventions in accordance with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, the Declarations of the World Food Summit in 1996 and 2002 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP).

12. The Dar es Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security also identified a number of priority areas on which SADC will focus in the next two (2) years and medium to long term actions in order to achieve sustainable food security in the region.

13. In this regard, Member States undertook to ensure availability and access of key agricultural inputs to farmers. In addition The Summit also underscored the need to provide targeted support to vulnerable farmers with key inputs such as improved seed varieties, fertilizers, agrochemicals, tillage services and farm implements which are critical to increased agricultural production in the region.

14. Summit also stressed the need for Member States to vigorously embark on water management programmes such as flood control to prevent the loss of human life and livestock and the destruction of agricultural land and infrastructure. Equally Member States, in accordance with the Revised Protocol on Shared Water Courses, are encouraged to support programmes on water harvesting, inter-basin water transfers and the construction of water storage facilities in order to enhance agricultural development and other uses. Member States also undertook to accelerate and up-scale the adoption and use of irrigation technologies such as treadle and motorized pumps, canalization and water saving technologies.

15. On agricultural financing and investment, Summit called on all Member States to progressively increase financing to agriculture by allocating at least 10% of the respective national budgets within a period of five years in line with the African Union Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security of July 2003.

16. Summit also urged Member States to mobilize resources for agroprocessing and to up-scale the establishment and use of rural intermediaries such as savings and credit schemes and rural mobile banks. Summit also agreed to consider setting up a regional Agricultural Development Bank/Facility, which could be financed through private equity, Member States Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and International Finance Institutions.

17. On the region’s disaster preparedness capacity, Summit considered the possibility of establishing of a Regional Food Reserve Facility, which would include both a physical reserve and a financial facility. In this regard, studies are to be conducted on the early warning and monitoring system, including a review of the SADC Food Security Early Warning System; a food reserve system that allows SADC to respond to food emergencies; and a risk insurance instrument that identifies a risk management strategy and safety-net support and strategies.

18. Summit further noted the prevalence of gender inequality with regard to access and ownership of land in some Member States, credit facilities and agricultural inputs leading to the marginalization of women despite the fact that they constitute 70% of the labour force in agricultural production. In this regard, Summit urged Member States to enhance gender mainstreaming, in particular by enacting non-discriminatory laws on finance, credit and land. Member States were also urged to promote gender sensitive technologies, particularly on agro-processing.

19. Summit stressed the need for Member States to mainstream efforts to combat of HIV and AIDS and other chronic diseases control in the agriculture and natural resources policies and programmes.

Consequently, Member States were urged to review their HIV and AIDS mitigation programmes and implement the SADC HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework and Plan of Action 2003-2007 to ensure food security in the region.

20. Other priority areas adopted by Summit include the following:

• Promotion of programmes to remove farm labour constraints and to facilitate the development of rural infrastructure such as roads, information and communication technology, water and sanitation services, and electricity;

• Acceleration of land policy reform initiatives and share experiences of best practices;

• Improving agro-industrial development and processing;

• Control and eradicate crop and livestock pests and diseases;

• Increasing the production of crop, livestock and fisheries resources;

• Engaging in non-traditional agriculture production such as mushrooms for food security;

• Ensuring the sustainable use and management of natural resources;

• Undertaking research, technology development and disseminating the information and findings widely;

• Involving the private sector in agriculture and rural development; and

• Enhancing market access for agricultural products.

21. Summit undertook to implement, at the national and regional levels, the commitments, resolutions and intentions contained in the Declaration and in the complementary Plan of Action in order to improve the welfare of the people of the SADC region.

22. Summit therefore directed the Integrated Committee of Ministers to initiate urgent follow-up activities in order to expedite the implementation of the Declaration and the Action Plan.

23. Summit also undertook to review progress on the implementation of this Declaration at the end of every two (2) years from the date of signature.

24. Summit expressed appreciation to the Government of the Republic of South Africa for a donation of One Hundred Million Rands (R100,000,000) to the SADC region. The resources will be used for agricultural inputs, food aid and for a vulnerability monitoring system.

25. Summit congratulated the Republic of South Africa for winning the right to host the 2010 World Cup.

26. Summit expressed appreciation to the Government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania for hosting the Extra-Ordinary Summit on Agriculture and Food Security and for the warm hospitality extended to all the delegates. Summit also thanked the Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Food Programme, the European Union, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, African Union and the Africa Zero Emissions Research Initiative (ZERI) for their valuable contributions during the Summit and the meetings that preceded it.

15 May 2004

COMMUNIQUÉ

MAURITIUS: GRAND BAIE 16-17 August 2004

The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), met in Grand Baie, Mauritius on 16-17 August, and was chaired by the Right Honourable, Mr Paul Raymond Berenger, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius.

The Heads of State and Government of SADC present at the Summit were:

Angola H.E. President Jose Eduardo dos Santos

Botswana H.E. President Festus G. Mogae

Democratic Republic of Congo: H. E. President Joseph Kabila

Lesotho Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili

Malawi H.E. President Bingu wa Mutharika

Mauritius Hon. Prime Minister Paul Raymond Berenger

Mozambique H.E. President Joaquim Chissano

Namibia H.E. President Sam Nujoma

South Africa H.E President Thabo Mbeki

Swaziland H. M. King Mswati III

United Republic of Tanzania: H.E. President Benjamin W. Mkapa

Zambia H.E. President Levy Mwanawasa

Zimbabwe H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe

2. Also in attendance were the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr Patrick Mazhimaka, the Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Dr Kasuka Mutukwa, the Vice President for Operations North, East and Southern Region of the African Development Bank, Mr. Theodore Nkodo and representatives of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the NEPAD Secretariat and the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa.

3. In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the outgoing SADC Chairperson, H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa, President of the United Republic of Tanzania outlined the major achievements of his tenure of office such as the launch of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP), the adoption of the Declaration and Plan of Action on Agriculture and Food Security, the establishment an HIV and AIDS Unit at the Secretariat as well as the initiation of the process of establishing the SADC HIV and AIDS Trust Fund.

4. President Mkapa urged for more policy coherence and greater political will within SADC in order to lift the vision and focus from the national to the regional level. He warned that if SADC Member States were too bogged down by what they want out of accelerated integration nationally, they risk losing sight of the greater benefits awaiting them in the longer term.

Quoting from the Report of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation, President Mkapa called on SADC Member States to strengthen regional and sub-regional cooperation as a major vehicle for development and for a stronger voice in the governance of globalisation.

5. The incoming Chairperson of SADC, Hon. Paul Raymond Berenger, Prime Minister of Mauritius and host of the 2004 Summit, extended a warm welcome to SADC Heads of State and Government, and other delegates to Mauritius. He noted that although Mauritius was physically separated from the rest of the SADC countries by hundreds of kilometres of sea, Southern African countries were indivisibly bound together by their common objectives and endeavours and their shared vision of SADC as a powerful and prosperous community of nations.

6. The official opening ceremony was also addressed by His Excellency President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi who emphasised the need to strengthen young democracies through sound economic management, upholding the rule of law and respect for human rights. He also outlined some of the key challenges facing SADC such as the consolidation of SADC into a viable economic community, the integration of SADC into the global economy and building the necessary human resources capacity in the face of the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

7. The Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security (SIPO) was launched during official opening ceremony by the outgoing Chairperson of the Organ, the Rt. Hon. Pakalitha Mosisili of the Kingdom of Lesotho. In his launch statement, the Rt. Honourable Mosisili said the SIPO was an enabling instrument for the implementation of the SADC developmental agenda embodied in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP). He stressed that the core objective of SIPO is to create a peaceful and stable political and security environment within which the region will endeavour to realise its socioeconomic objectives.

8. The official opening session also witnessed the ceremonial handover of the chairpersonship from H.E. President Benjamin W. Mkapa to Hon. Prime Minister Paul Berenger. Summit also elected H.E. President Festus G. Mogae of the Republic of Botswana as Deputy Chairperson of SADC.

9. In his acceptance statement, Prime Minister Paul Berenger assured the region that the issues that were pursued with drive by his predecessor, will remain at the top of SADC’s regional integration agenda during his tenure of office. He urged the SADC region to remain fully conscious of the fact that economic growth and poverty alleviation are intricately linked to good governance and political stability. He therefore called on Member States to work together to remove all obstacles on the path to development in genuine democracy.

10. The new Chairperson said SADC has always endeavoured to promote dialogue with developing and developed country partners and noted the need to further strengthen existing ties and increase the number of dialogue partners. This is critical in order to get their understanding and collaboration on issues of a multilateral nature that are deemed important to the region. In this regard, he undertook to improve trade and investment relations between SADC and India as well as with China. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that with free and fair elections due in Zimbabwe at the beginning of next year, SADC can already start preparing for the normalisation of relations between SADC and the European Union and the United States of America.

11. Summit elected H.E. President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, as Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and H.E. Sam Nujoma of the Republic of Namibia as Deputy Chairperson.

12. The Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr Patrick Mazhimaka also addressed the official opening of the Summit. He said that the AU has unveiled a new vision, mission and strategic framework, which define the objectives to be achieved including supporting measures for the acceleration of the process of regional integration for regional economic communities such as SADC. The new vision is a reflection of the AU’s collective will and determination to move forward and to work towards not only economic but political, security, social and cultural and other forms of integration.

13. Mr Patrick Mazhimaka also briefed Summit on the African Union Extra-Ordinary Assembly on Employment and Poverty Alleviation in Africa to be held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on 3-9 September 2004. The Assembly will be held under the theme “Strategies for Employment Creation/Promotion and Enhancing Sustainable Livelihoods” and will consider among others, a Declaration and a Plan of Action on Employment and Poverty Alleviation in Africa. Summit called on the AU to ensure that the Declaration and Action Plan are action-oriented with clear deliverables.

14. In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy said that the economic growth rate of the region has been positive for the past ten years as a result of Member States concerted efforts and deliberate macro-economic measures such as trade, financial and capital markets liberalisation, reduction of budget deficits and reform of the public sector.

15. Dr Ramsamy also emphasised the need for Member States to ensure that the priorities of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) are integrated into the national development plans for effective implementation.

16. The official opening of the Summit also featured the announcement of the winners of the 2004 Regional Secondary Schools Essay Competition, the theme of which centred on water and its importance for social and economic development in the SADC region. The first prize was awarded to Samukelisiwe Dlamini of South Africa, the second prize to Robert Lusinje of Malawi and the third prize to Priyamvadha Doorgakant of Mauritius.

17. The 2004 Media Awards ceremony was also held during the official opening of the Summit. Four finalists received their prizes as follows: Mr Leonard Magomba, The Express newspaper, United Republic of Tanzania for Photojournalism; Mr Christopher Mwelwa Wapamesa, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation for Television; and Mr Takawira Musara, The Voice newspaper, Zimbabwe for Print. Mr Tshepo Ikaneng of the South African Broadcasting Corporation was awarded notable mention for the Radio category.

18. Summit received a report from the outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, the Rt. Hon. Mosisili of the Kingdom of Lesotho, which indicated that generally, peace and stability continue to prevail in the region. The report covered the final report on the structuring of the Organ, the consolidation of democracy in the region and defence and security matters.

19. On the DRC, Summit commended the President for his efforts aimed at bringing the on-going peace process to a successful conclusion. Summit deplored the continued unrest in the eastern part of the country caused by externally supported rebel armed forces and the recent massacres committed in the refugee camp of Gatumba in Burundi. Summit also condemned the recent foiled coup attempt in Kinshasa on 10 June 2004 and commended the Government of the DRC for thwarting the attempt. In this regard, Summit reaffirmed that SADC will not tolerate any unconstitutional change of governments in the region. Therefore, Summit condemned the repeated attempts aimed at destabilising the DRC.

20. Summit mandated the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security to field an evaluation mission to the DRC and neighbouring countries to determine and identify the practical modalities to promote peace and security in the DRC. The mission should also identify the strategies that SADC should implement to support the transition process and the organization of democratic elections in the DRC.

21. With regard to Swaziland, Summit noted that the Constitution drafting process undertaken by the country will be completed by the end of November 2004. Summit further noted that currently, the Draft Constitution has been referred to the citizens of the country to make their observations and comments before the final text is adopted through the Parliamentary process. Furthermore, the issue relating to the rule of law is receiving the Kingdom’s necessary and expedient attention and it is hoped that the Court of Appeal will be constituted shortly.

22. Summit also noted that the Kingdom of Swaziland is committed to the transformation of the country and the Constitution is one of the vehicles that are being used to achieve this objective.

23. On Zimbabwe, Summit noted that the next Parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe are scheduled for March 2005 and that this has already been publicly announced in Zimbabwe by H.E. President Robert Mugabe. In this connection, Summit was informed that the Government of Zimbabwe has drafted electoral legislation consistent with the newly adopted SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

24. Summit thanked Rt. Hon. Mosisili for ably steering the activities of the Organ for the past year.

25. Summit congratulated Malawi and South Africa for holding peaceful elections this year.

26. Summit adopted SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, which aim at enhancing the transparency and credibility of elections and democratic governance as well as ensuring the acceptance of election results by all contesting parties.

27. Summit reiterated the urgency of the Hashim Mbita Project, which is intended to document the history of the Liberation Struggle in Southern Africa. To this end, Mozambique and Namibia pledged a monetary contribution of US$100 thousand each to support the project. Summit thanked Mozambique and Namibia for the contributions.

28. With regard to the economic situation in the region, Summit noted that the region achieved a GDP growth rate of 3.2% in 2003, the same as in 2002.

29. On energy, Summit observed that the power supply situation in the SADC region will reach crisis levels by 2007 if no concrete steps are taken to increase the Region’s power generation capacity. Summit noted that several Member States have submitted projects for power generation capacity expansion in the context of short and long term priority plans covering 2005-2010 and 2011-2020 respectively. In this regard, Summit urged Member States to work closely with a view to fast track the implementation of the short-term priority power generation projects, in particular the expansion of the Inga Site project and Renewables.

30. Summit noted that the extent of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in the region has reached crisis proportions. The major contributing factors to the spread of the pandemic include widespread poverty, gender inequality, illiteracy, stigma and discriminations and inadequate health care delivery systems as well as substance abuse. Summit underscored the importance of nutrition and traditional medicine in addressing health challenges, in particular HIV and AIDS. In this regard, Summit noted the establishment of a Ministerial Committee on traditional medicine consisting of Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Committee will make proposals on the promotion of research on safety, efficacy and use of traditional medicine in addressing major diseases and nutritional supplements.

31. Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government of the Republic of South Africa for a donation of One Million Rand as its contribution to the SADC HIV and AIDS Trust Fund. Summit noted that a Task Team consisting of South Africa and Zimbabwe is developing guidelines on the utilization of the resources of the Trust Fund.

32. Summit approved the candidature of Dr Luis Gomes Sambo of Angola for the post of Regional Director for Africa at the World Health Organisation.

Summit requested all Member States to support the candidature of Dr Sambo.

33. On Food Security, Summit noted marginal improvement in the food security situation in the region during the 2003/04 consumption year compared to the previous year. The number of people needing food assistance is projected to have dropped from 6.5 million in 2003/04 to 5.4 million in 2004/05.

34. Summit noted that projections for 2004/2005 consumption year indicate a cereal deficit of about 1.93 million tonnes, which is lower than that of 2003/2004 estimated at 2.96 million tonnes. This is due to the increased cereal production especially from Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

35. Summit commended the outgoing Chairperson, H.E. Mkapa for convening the Extraordinary SADC Summit on Agriculture and Food Security in May 2004. Summit urged all Member States to honour their commitments made in the Declaration adopted at the Summit.

36. On the issue of gender equality, Summit noted with satisfaction that the overall regional situation indicates that Member States are making progress in the promotion of women’s representation in political and decision-making structures. There is also a deliberate and gradual increase in the proportion of women’s representation in various structures in most Member States.

37. Therefore, Summit urged those Member States that have not attained the target to use the opportunities of the forthcoming elections and other measures to achieve the minimum 30% of women’s representation in political and decision-making structures by 2005. Summit commended South Africa for surpassing the target in terms of women in Parliament and Cabinet.

38. Summit congratulated South Africa for successfully bidding for hosting the Pan African Parliament and the United Republic of Tanzania for the appointment of Hon. Getrude I. Mongella as the President of the Parliament.

39. Summit also noted the progress made in the Restructuring of SADC Institutions, which began in March 2001 and is now nearing completion.

40. With regard to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Summit noted the report of the High Level SADC Ministerial meeting on NEPAD. Summit noted that the issues discussed included an overview of the NEPAD Initiative; Synergies between NEPAD and RISDP; Democracy, Peace, Security and Governance; Agriculture, Food Security and Environment; Education and Health; Science and Technology; Infrastructure Development and Tourism; Resource Mobilisation and Capacity Building.

41. Summit agreed that the SADC representatives in the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee would, under the leadership of President Mbeki, regularly brief other Heads of State and Government on the implementation of the NEPAD Programme

42. Summit noted the launch of the negotiations with the European Union on the SADC Economic Partnership Agreement. Summit also noted that following the launch of the negotiations, the SADC EPA Ministers and the EC Commissioners held the first session of the negotiations and agreed on a joint Road Map, which will guide the negotiations.

43. Summit considered the application for membership from Madagascar and decided to accord it “candidate membership status” for a period of one year during which Madagascar will be expected to present to Council, through the Secretariat, a detailed time-frame and action plan indicating how it will meet its obligations, including the implementation of various SADC legal instruments. The President of Madagascar, H.E. Marc Ravalomanana attended the closing ceremony of the Summit and expressed appreciation to SADC for according his country “candidate membership status.”

44. On the construction of the SADC headquarters, Summit approved the establishment of a task team comprising Ministers of Finance of the SADC Troika and the Troika of the Organ to mobilize resources for this project. All SADC Member States made an initial contribution totaling US$6,250 000 as seed money for the construction of SADC headquarters.

45. Summit approved the SADC anthem and that the anthem be performed in all Member States at all major SADC events and in all primary and secondary schools in all Member States on SADC Day – 17 August and SADC Creators’ Day – 14 October.

46. On the 2010 World Cup, Summit congratulated South Africa for successfully bidding for the World Cup and urged SADC Member States to cooperate with South Africa in order to ensure the successful hosting of this event. Summit further noted that the Ministers of Sports, Tourism and Information will draw up strategies to ensure that the region benefits from hosting the World Cup.

47. Summit accepted the offer by the H.E. Festus G. Mogae to host the next Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in August 2005.

48. Summit thanked His Excellency President Benjamin Mkapa for his able leadership and the accomplishments of SADC during his tenure of office.

49. Summit thanked representatives of other regional and continental organisations for attending the 2004 Summit.

50. Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Mauritius for hosting the Summit and for the warm hospitality extended to all delegates. Summit also thanked the SADC Secretariat for the successful organisation of the Summit.

51. Summit expressed its gratitude to the international community for the support extended to SADC.

52. His Excellency, President Joachim Chissano of Mozambique addressed the official closing ceremony and bid farewell to his colleagues as he retires at the end of 2004. He noted that he has been associated with SADC since its inception and has seen it evolve and score successes that have build its name internationally. He stressed that following the adoption of the RISDP and SIPO, the challenge was now to develop concrete plans of action and how to engage all stakeholders in their implementation and mobilisation of resources, particularly from within the region.

53. Also bidding farewell to his colleagues was His Excellency, President Sam Nujoma of Namibia who retires in March 2005.

54. Hon. Berenger officially closed the Summit and undertook to pursue some outstanding tasks on the restructuring of the organization. He identified the following as priorities during his tenure of office:

a. implementation of the SADC Protocols by spelling out concrete programmes of community-building through regional integration;

b. operationalisation of the two major development plans – the SADC RISDP and SADC SIPO and building the necessary synergy with NEPAD;

c. rationalisation of the various Committees, both technical and ministerial so that we get value for money;

d. increasing the credibility of SADC vis-à-vis our international cooperating partners;

e. forging strong relationships with sub-regional, continental and multilateral organisations; and f. encouraging our member states to align their national policies to regional cooperation so that they stay on course in the globalisation process and also make a significant dent on poverty.

55. H.E Festus G. Mogae of the Republic of Botswana passed a vote of thanks in which he invited his colleagues to attend the next ordinary Summit in Gaborone, Botswana in 2005. President Mogae commended Mauritius for demonstrating beyond a shadow of doubt that it is committed to the SADC Treaty by ratifying most of the protocols as well as paying its contributions in full and on time. He said the people of SADC were looking forward to Mauritius’ dynamic and able leadership of SADC in the coming year both in terms of the implementation of policies and programmes as well as in dealing with International Cooperating Partners.

Grand Baie,

Mauritius

August 17, 2004

COMMUNIQUÉ

BOTSWANA: GABORONE 17-18 AUGUST 2005

The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), met in Gaborone, Botswana on 17-18 August, 2005 and was chaired by His Excellency, Mr. Festus Mogae, President of the Republic of Botswana.

1. The Heads of State and Government of SADC present at the Summit were:

Angola:  Rt Hon. Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, Prime Minister of the Republic of Angola.

Botswana H.E. President Festus G. Mogae

Democratic Republic of Congo: H. E. Professor Arthur Z’Ahidi Ngoma, Vice President

Lesotho Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili

Madagascar H.E President Marc Ravalomanana

Malawi H.E. President Bingu wa Mutharika

Mauritius Dr. the Hon. Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister

Mozambique H.E. President Armando Emílio Guebuza

Namibia H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba

South Africa H.E President Thabo Mbeki

Swaziland H. M. King Mswati III

United Republic of Tanzania: H.E. President Benjamin W. Mkapa

Zambia H.E. President Levy P. Mwanawasa, SC

Zimbabwe H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe

2. In attendance were Their Excellencies former Heads of State and Government: Sir Ketumile Masire of the Republic of Botswana, Joaquim Chissano of the Republic of Mozambique, Sam Nujoma of the Republic of Namibia and Ali Hassan Mwinyi of the United Republic of Tanzania. Also present at the Summit were Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr Patrick Mazimakha, the Vice President for Operations North, East and Southern Region of the African Development Bank, Mr. Theodore Nkodo, the Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Dr Kasuka Mutukwa, NEPAD Chief Executive Professor Firmino G. Mucavele, representatives of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, NEPAD and COMESA Secretariat.

3. In his address to the opening session of Summit, the outgoing SADC Chairperson, Dr the Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, congratulated SADC Leaders and citizens on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebrations. Dr Ramgoolam underscored the need to implement all the Protocols that have been signed in order to drive the region forward and exploit the abundant resources in the region.

He stressed the need to implement the SADC agenda in line with the priorities set out in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) and the Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ (SIPO). Dr Ramgoolam expressed satisfaction on the operationalisation and implementation of the RISDP and SIPO at both the national and regional levels, in particular the development of regional projects, some of which have been submitted to NEPAD for resource mobilisation. In executing these regional plans, he noted that cognisance should be given to people and development centred activities. The outgoing Chairperson underlined the importance of Africa’s unity particularly in ensuring that it participates effectively in the United Nations Security Council.

4. Prime Minister Ramgoolam outlined some of the major milestones during the past year which included the approval of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections in the Region which were immediately effected in Botswana, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. He commended Member States for their commitment in contributing seed money for the construction of the new SADC Headquarters and expressed satisfaction on the progress made so far. In this regard, he indicated that the Feasibility Study on the Financing, Design and Construction of the New SADC Headquarters has been completed.

5. The host of the Silver Jubilee Ordinary Summit, His Excellency, President Festus Mogae, of the Republic of Botswana, welcomed the SADC Heads of State and Government, and other delegates to Botswana. President Mogae expressed his gratitude to all Heads of State and Government for their resolve to continuously pursue the common objectives and shared vision of SADC which should propel the region to greater prosperity through deeper regional integration. He paid tribute to the Former Heads of State and Government for accepting the invitation to grace the SADC Silver Jubilee Celebrations and the role they played in furthering economic and social integration of the region.

6. The official opening ceremony was also addressed by His Excellency President Armando Emilio Guebuza who reaffirmed the commitment of the Government and people of Mozambique to the ideals and aspirations of SADC. In his first statement to Summit, President Guebuza underscored the importance of adopting creative and proactive measures in the mobilisation of the private sector and civil society organisations for them to invest in the implementation of the region’s integration programmes.

7. His Excellency, President Hifikepunye Pohamba also delivered his first speech at the official opening of Summit. President Pohamba expressed his country’s dedication to SADC ideals and the regional integration agenda. He emphasised the need to deepen democracy in the region and adopt measures that would consolidate peace and promote freedom for all the citizens.

8. The official opening session also witnessed the ceremonial handover of the Chairpersonship from Dr the Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam to President Festus Mogae of the Republic of Botswana. Summit also elected Rt Hon. Pakalitha Mosisili of the Kingdom of Lesotho as the Deputy Chairperson of SADC.

9. Summit thanked Dr the Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam for his able leadership and the accomplishments of SADC during his tenure of office.

10. In his acceptance statement, President Mogae outlined his vision and priorities for the coming year. President Mogae thanked the outgoing Chairperson for steering the activities and programmes of the organisation and pledged to carry forward the programme of SADC, including, the commencement of the construction of the new SADC Headquarters as well as maintaining sustainable development, pursuing multilateral relations, ensuring protocol implementation, regional macroeconomic stability, financial market integration, investment promotion, infrastructure development and opening up of borders to facilitate the free movement of goods and services and other factors of production. He also emphasised that the region should adopt policies that enhance food production in order to avert hunger in the region. President Mogae pointed out the necessity of adequate budgetary provisions for financing SADC activities and assume greater responsibility and self reliance while taking into account the goodwill of the International Co-operating Partners. President Mogae suggested that SADC prioritises its activities in order to concentrate on those issues that would deepen integration within a short timeframe.

11. President Mogae committed the Government and people of Botswana to provide all the necessary assistance and a conducive environment for the operation of the organisation.

12. The Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr Patrick Mazimakha underscored the important role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the global architecture for peace and security, notably in the continental early warning systems and Africa Standby Forces. He noted with appreciation SADC’s contribution to this noble cause. Mr Mazimakha urged SADC to continue building on the experience of 25 years in its integration agenda.

13. Mr. Mazimakha pointed out that it was now an opportune time to translate the shared vision into concrete actions so as to accelerate the pace of continental integration by the AU Commission and the Regional Economic Communities (REC)s. In this respect, an AU Assembly will be held in January, 2006, with the aim of reviewing the proposed Rationalisation of RECs, which are the pillars of African integration.

14. Mr. Theodore Nkodo, the Vice President for Operations North, East and Southern Region of the African Development Bank, addressed the opening session. Mr. Nkodo congratulated SADC on its 25th Anniversary and outlined the role of the African Development (ADB) in supporting development in the continent and its collaboration with RECs and NEPAD.

He indicated the areas of possible support to SADC’s integration agenda, which include sustainable food security, regional infrastructure, combating HIV and AIDS, macroeconomic surveillance, financial integration and capital markets development and capacity building.

15 Mr. Nkodo emphasised the role of the private sector as a partner in development and indicated that, to increase its visibility and presence in the Region, the ADB has opened a country office in the United Republic of Tanzania and a regional office in Mozambique, which will cover other SADC countries. Other country offices are being opened in the DRC, Malawi, Madagascar and Zambia.

16. Addressing the Silver Jubilee Summit, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy observed the great strides that have been made in the area of intra-SADC trade which has increased from a mere 5 percent in 1980 to about 25 percent today. Dr Ramsamy expressed hope that the 35 percent intra-SADC trade by 2008 in a Free Trade Area Arrangement to which all our Member States are committed will be achieved as the target is certainly within reach given the fact that the region has in place some of the key pre-requisites including sound infrastructure.

17. In the spirit of inclusivity, Dr Ramsamy pointed out the critical role played by the civil society and private sector in the implementation of the SADC Common Agenda citing the need for the region to move in the same direction.

18. It has become tradition for the official opening of Summit to feature the winners of the 2005 Regional Secondary Schools Essay Competition. The topic of the competition was premised on the achievements and challenges of SADC for the past 25 years. The first prize was awarded to Ms Sunjanabye Balloo of Mauritius, the second prize to Mr Reuben N. Mhanuka of the United Republic of Tanzania and the third prize to Ms Thato Roslyn Senabye of Botswana.

19. The official opening of Summit was also marked by the 2005 SADC Media Awards ceremony. Four finalists received their prizes as follows:

Television Category, Mr. Tiro Kganela, Botswana Television; Republic of Botswana; Photojournalism Category, Mr. Ally Soobye, Le Mauricien Et Weekend, Republic of Mauritius; Radio Category, Ms Shelley Knipe, ABC Ulwazi Community Radio, Republic of South Africa; and Print Category, Mr. Perege Gumbo, Guardian Newspaper, United Republic of Tanzania.

20. Summit laid the Foundation Stone for the new SADC Headquarters and unveiled the Foundation Stone Monument. Summit underscored the necessity of accelerating the construction of the new Headquarters.

21. With regard to the Silver Jubilee Celebrations, Summit commemorated the 25th anniversary of SADC and noted with satisfaction progress registered to date since the establishment of the organisation in 1980.

22. Summit received a report from the outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. His Excellency, Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, which showed that the region continues to enjoy peace and security.

23. Summit noted that, in the process of consolidation of democracy and good governance, Botswana, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia and Zimbabwe held Presidential, Parliamentary and general elections. Lesotho also held successful Local Government Elections. SADC Electoral Observer Missions were deployed to all the elections and used the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections as their Terms of Reference. These elections are testimony of the consolidation of democracy in the region.

24. Concerning election observation, Summit agreed to establish a SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC) whose role is that of advisor to SADC structures and to Electoral Commissions of Member States.

25. Summit noted that the United Republic of Tanzania will hold both Presidential and Parliamentary elections in October, 2005 while the Republic of Angola and the DRC will hold elections in 2006.

26. On the DRC, Summit commended the Government and the people of the DRC for adopting the new Constitution. Summit further noted that the Constitution, guarantees fifty-fifty gender parity in the political institutions of the DRC.

27. Summit expressed concern on the continuous activities of armed groups in the eastern region of the DRC posing a challenge to the consolidation of peace and political stability in that country. Summit observed that a new Government is expected to be in place by 30 June, 2006 in the DRC.

Summit also mandated the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Co-operation to work with the Government of the DRC and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that elections are held within newly agreed timeframe and mobilize the necessary assistance for a successful electoral process.

28. Summit approved and some Member States signed the Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons in SADC, aimed at enabling the movement of people in the region. The specific objectives of the Protocol are to facilitate entry into Member States without the need for a visa for a maximum period of 90 (ninety) days per year for bona fide visit and in accordance with the laws of the Member State; permanent and temporary residence in the territory of another Member State; and establishment of oneself and working in the territory of another Member State.

29. On international co-operation, Summit commended Member States for their contribution in the promotion, consolidation and sustenance of peace and security in the world in general, and Africa in particular.

30. Summit thanked President Thabo Mbeki for efficiently spearheading the activities of the Organ for the past year.

31. Summit elected H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba, as Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and H.E. Benjamin W. Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania as Deputy Chairperson.

32. On the Hashim Mbita Project, whose objective is to document the history of the Liberation Struggle in Southern Africa, Summit reaffirmed its commitment to the project and noted that the project is under implementation.

33. With regard to the economic situation in the region, Summit noted that the region achieved a GDP growth rate of 4.1% in 2004 compared to 3.2 percent the previous year. Summit observed that Member States continue to implement sound macroeconomic policies and business friendly reforms aimed at putting the region on a sustainable growth path that would contribute to poverty reduction and improvement in the quality of life of Southern Africans. However, Summit noted with concern that the region faces the challenge posed by increasing oil prices that have ripple effects on the entire economy and may compromise the growth of the regional economy.

34. Summit welcomed the debt relief proposals announced by the G8 countries in July, 2005 and noted the need for details on the debt relief programme that is likely to benefit a few SADC Member States.

35. Summit observed that for most Member States to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), there is an urgent need for SADC countries to institute policies and programmes aimed at accelerating social and human development, individually and collectively. Summit also called upon International Co-operating Partners to increase the level of resources being channelled to developing countries to finance education, health and social development activities.

36. With regard to Food Security, Summit noted that the region is selfsufficient in maize despite deficits in a few countries. In this respect, Summit urged the affected Member States to mobilise resources to import food that may be required to prevent incidence of hunger and starvation.

Summit reiterated that Member States should honour the commitments in the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security to accelerate agricultural production and eradication of food insecurity in the region.

37. On HIV and AIDS, Summit noted that the main activities and interventions undertaken during the year include the development of policy options for mainstreaming HIV and AIDS and mitigating AIDS adverse impact on agriculture and food security, formulation of guidelines on HIV and AIDS and mobile populations, guidelines to conduct household surveys on HIV and AIDS, a model for mainstreaming orphans and vulnerable children in the education system, and the establishment of regional forum for national aids authorities.

38. With respect to Gender and Development, Summit endorsed the African Union position which provides for 50 percent target of women in all political and decision-making positions.

39. Summit observed that the regional level interventions are complimentary to national HIV and AIDS prevention and support programmes. Member States have continued to roll-out Antiretroviral Therapies (ARV’s) programmes and the prevention of the transmission of the virus from the mother to the child (PMTCT). Summit noted that Member States are strengthening voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and surveillance of the epidemic.

40. In operationalising the SADC Tribunal in terms of the Protocol on Tribunal, Summit approved the appointment of the following ten (10) members of the Tribunal:

􀂾 Dr. Roberto Kambovo of Angola;

􀂾 Dr. Onkemetse B. Tshosa of Botswana;

􀂾 Hon. Justice Isaac Jamu Mtambo of Malawi;

􀂾 Chief Justice Ariranga Govindasamy Pillay of Mauritius;

􀂾 Hon. Dr. Luis Antonio Mondlane of Mozambique;

􀂾 Hon. Justice Petrus T. Damaseb of Namibia;

􀂾 Hon. Justice Stanley B. Maphalala of Swaziland;

􀂾 Hon. Justice Frederick B. Werema of Tanzania;

􀂾 Hon. Justice F. M. Chomba of Zambia; and

􀂾 Hon. Justice Antonia Guvava of Zimbabwe.

41. Summit also designated the initial five regular Members of the Tribunal as follows:

􀂾 Dr. Roberto Kambovo of Angola;

􀂾 Dr. Onkemetse B. Tshosa of Botswana;

􀂾 Hon. Justice Isaac Jamu Mtambo of Malawi;

􀂾 Chief Justice Ariranga Govindasamy Pillay of Mauritius;

􀂾 Hon. Dr. Luis Antonio Mondlane of Mozambique.

42. Summit appointed Mr Tomás Augusto Salomão as the Executive Secretary of SADC for a period of four years. Mr Salomão is a citizen of the Republic of Mozambique and is an Economist by profession. He is a former Minister of Planning and Finance and Minister of Transport and Communications of Mozambique. Summit congratulated Mr Salomão for his appointment to the high office of the SADC Executive Secretary.

Summit also appointed Engineer João Samuel Caholo of the Republic of Angola as Deputy Executive Secretary of SADC for a period of four years.

Engineer Caholo is a former Director of the SADC Energy Commission, Director of Infrastructure and Services Directorate and Deputy Minister of Fisheries. Summit congratulated Engineer Caholo on his appointment as Deputy Executive Secretary of SADC.

43. Summit expressed its gratitude to Dr Prega Ramsamy for his contribution to SADC during his tenure of office at the helm of SADC as the Executive Secretary. Summit also thanked Mr. Albert Muchanga for his contribution to the organisation during his tenure of office as Deputy Executive Secretary of SADC. Summit wished the two good health and success in their future endeavours.

44. Summit expressed its gratitude to the former Heads of State and Government who graced the silver jubilee celebrations.

45. Summit thanked representatives of other regional and continental organisations for attending the 2005 Summit.

46. Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Botswana for hosting the Summit and for the warm hospitality extended to all delegates. Summit also thanked the SADC Secretariat for the successful organisation of the Summit.

47. In his Farewell Speech to Summit, His Excellency, President Benjamin W. Mkapa observed that in the last 25 years, SADC has resolved the direction, promulgated its vision and defined its framework for cooperation.

President Mkapa pointed once priorities and strategies are agreed upon, it is imperative to put in place institutions within each of the governments with the task of monitoring implementation and follow up at national level. He noted that the spirit of the Frontline States should invigorate the region into action that would make SADC emerge as the most purposeful, most powerful and most successful African regional economic grouping.

48. With respect to the membership of Madagascar, Summit unanimously admitted the Republic of Madagascar as a 14th Member of SADC. In his statement following the admission of Madagascar into the SADC family, President Marc Ravalomana, pledged his country’s commitment to the noble objectives and aspirations of SADC. In line with the SADC vision, President Ravalomanana stated that his country is in the process of establishing efficiency and transparency of public administration, respect of the rule of law, good governance and the participation of civil society in major national issues. He undertook to implement the programmes and activities of the Community in pursuit of regional integration particularly the opening up of the market by reducing taxes and import duties as well as facilitating Foreign Direct Investment. President Ravalomanana supports

SADC’s programmes on standardization, quality assurance, accreditation and metrorology as this is a pre-requisite for a Free Trade and subsequent establishment of a Customs Union.

49. President Mogae officially closed the Summit and undertook to focus on the following priorities during his tenure of office:

g. Commencement of the construction of the new SADC Headquarters;

h. Finalisation of recruitment of permanent staff;

i. Consolidating the implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan and the Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ;

j. Putting in place a Protocol Implementation monitoring mechanism.

k. Effective participation in multilateral negotiations.

50. Right Honourable Pakalitha Mosisili of the Kingdom of Lesotho passed a vote of thanks in which he invited his colleagues to attend the next ordinary Summit in 2006. Summit accepted with appreciation the offer by the Kingdom of Lesotho to host the next Summit

Gaborone

Botswana

August 18, 2005

COMMUNIQUÉ

LESOTHO: MASERU 17-18 AUGUST 2006

1. The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) met in Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho on August 17-18 and was chaired by the Right Honourable Pakalitha Mosisili, Prime Minister of Lesotho.

2. The Summit was officially opened by His Majesty King Letsie III of The Kingdom of Lesotho. In his opening remarks, he recognised that the citizens of SADC remained poor despite 26 years of regional cooperation.

In this respect he recommended that SADC carefully reviews its institutions to ensure that they deliver on regional integration and development.

3. The Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government;

Angola The Right Hon. Prime Minister Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos

Botswana H.E. President Festus G. Mogae

Lesotho The Right. Hon. Prime Minister

Dr. Pakalitha Mosisili

Madagascar H.E President Marc Ravalomanana

Malawi H.E. President Bingu wa Mutharika

Mauritius The Right Honourable Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam,

Mozambique H.E. President Armando Emílio Guebuza

Namibia H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba

South Africa H.E. President Thabo Mbeki

Swaziland Rt. Hon. Mr. Themba Dlamini, Prime Minister

United Republic of Tanzania: H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete

Zambia H.E. President Levy P. Mwanawasa

Zimbabwe H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe

DRC The DRC was represented by Mr. Mbusa Nyamwisi, Hon. Minister of Regional

Cooperation

4. The following organisations were also represented at the Summit: African Development Bank; Economic Commission for Africa; African Union; COMESA, and NEPAD.

5. In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the outgoing SADC Chairperson, His Excellency Festus Mogae, President of the Republic of Botswana thanked Member States for the support they rendered to him during his tenure as chairperson.

6. President Mogae observed that the implementation of SADC programmes shows limited progress in the achievement of SADC’s full integration and called for the scaling up of the implementation process. He felt that Member States needed to show commitment by contributing significantly towards regional projects and programmes.

7. President Mogae further observed that, SADC has committed itself to a timeline of achieving a Free Trade Area by 2008, and a Customs Union by 2010. He also called for the resolution of the issue of multiple membership which is delaying progress towards deeper regional integration.

8. The Incoming Chairperson, the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili, of the Kingdom of Lesotho and host of the Summit added his welcome to the SADC Heads of State and Government, and other delegates to the Kingdom of Lesotho. In accepting the Chairpersonship of SADC, Prime Minister Mosisili stated his preparedness to live up to the challenge.

9. Pointing to the high expectations of the peoples of the region about the benefits of the regional body, Prime Minister Mosisili noted that SADC has delivered political freedom and democratic governance. However, SADC had not fully delivered on the eradication of poverty through regional economic integration although it is making progress towards establishing an environment of peace and stability, which are the foundations of rapid economic and social development.

10. His Excellency President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania delivered his first speech at the official opening of the Summit.

He gave assurances of his commitment and cooperation to meeting the milestones of regional integration.

11. The official opening session also witnessed the ceremonial handover of the chairpersonship from His Excellency President Festus Mogae to the Right Honourable Prime Minister Mosisili. The Summit also elected H.E. President Levy Mwanawasa of the Republic of Zambia as Deputy Chairperson of SADC.

12. In his acceptance statement, the Right Hounourable Prime Minister Mosisili thanked the outgoing Chairperson for his excellent leadership of the organisation and undertook to build on these achievements.

13. African Development Bank President, Mr. Donald Kaberuka informed the Summit that the Bank is committed to working with SADC in the implementation of the region’s agenda, especially in the field of infrastructure development. He also informed the Summit that the ADB intends to open additional offices in a number of SADC countries.

14. The UN Under-Secretary and Executive Secretary, of the Economic Commission for Africa Mr. Abdoullie Janneh, committed the ECA to providing SADC with technical assistance in its regional economic integration agenda.

15. Addressing Summit for the first time as the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão thanked the Heads of State and Government for the confidence they have placed in him. He stated his priorities as being the stabilisation of the Secretariat and improvement of its capacity to implement the key priorities of SADC.

16. Summit also witnessed the award of prizes to the winners of the 2006 Regional Secondary Schools Essay Competition whose theme was “Food and Nutrition in the SADC region has been unsatisfactory for many years now. Discuss the causes of this situation and suggest possible actions which the people and governments of SADC should take to ensure that there is adequate food available for proper nutrition in the region”. The first prize for the Best Essay was won by Herry Mapesi, a student of Benjamin W. Mkapa High School in the United Republic of Tanzania. The Second Best Essay prize went to Boitshwarelo Mokgethi, a student of Maikano Community Junior Secondary School in the Republic of Botswana. The Third Best Essay prize was awarded to Lorraine Chitereka, a student of the National University of Lesotho

International School (NULIS).

17. The 2006 SADC Media Awards were also presented during the Summit to Mr. Alfredo Lazaru Mueche from Mozambique for photojournalism. Ms Fazila Dahall and

18. The Summit emphasised the need to scale up the implementation of the SADC integration agenda, and reiterated that the RISDP and SIPO are the main instruments in this regard. To this end, the Summit established a Task Force comprising Ministers responsible for Finance, Investment, Economic Development, Trade and Industry, to work with the Secretariat with a view to defining the road map for eradicating poverty and propose measures for fast tracking implementation. They directed the Task Force to report to the Extra Ordinary Summit, to be held not latter than October 2006.

19. The Summit noted with satisfaction the progress being made in the construction of the SADC Headquarters building in Gaborone, Botswana.

20. The Summit noted the Report of Outgoing Chairperson which covered, amongst others, the progress on the regional integration process and implementation of the RISDP, SIPO, and varies Protocols.

21 The Summit congratulated the Outgoing Chairperson for his untiring efforts to improve the performance of the Organisation and for steering it to greater heights in its integration agenda during his tenure of office.

22 The Summit noted that while SADC recorded an overall 5.0% growth in real GDP in 2005, the region still needs to work hard as it remains below the 7% target set by the UN in the Millennium Development Goals for the developing nations to attain by 2015.

23 The Summit received a report from the outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, His Excellency, Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia. The report highlighted a number of issues concerning the peace and security situation and other related issues in the region especially the successful holding of elections in the DRC.

In this regard the Summit congratulated the people of the DRC for the peaceful and orderly manner in which they exercised their democratic right to vote.

24. The Summit thanked His Excellency President Pohamba for efficiently spearheading the activities of the Organ during the past year. His Excellency President Pohamba handed over the chairpersonship of the Organ to His Excellency President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania and Summit elected Angola as Deputy Chairperson of the Organ.

25. The Summit noted that the region continues to have high rates of mortality especially for women and children, which is worsened by the HIV epidemic that has reversed gains made by countries through immunisation and other health programmes. The Summit further noted with satisfaction that government expenditure on health, continued to improve.

The Summit observed that programmes for combating the spread of HIV and Mitigating the impact of AIDS remain very high on the region’s agenda, and resolved that these interventions be up-scaled within the context of the Maseru Declaration on Combating HIV and AIDS of 2004.

26. The Summit also noted that issues of access, equity and quality of education at all levels are of great concern and the achievement of Education for All remains the key challenge in the region.

27. With respect to Gender and Development, the Summit noted the progress being made toward achieving the set target of 30% women representation in decision making and reaffirmed its commitment to the new target of 50%.

28. The Summit endorsed the process of drafting the Gender Protocol and further directed the Secretariat to ensure that thorough consultations with Member States are undertaken.

29. The Summit noted that improvements have been recorded in the overall food security situation, attributed to improved access to inputs by farmers and also increased rainfall during the 2005/06 season. The Summit however noted the challenges facing the sector, especially the need to upscale the use of fertiliser.

30. The Summit approved and signed the SADC Protocol on Finance and Investment.

31. The Summit congratulated, Dr. Luis Mondlane of the Republic of Mozambique on his election as President of the SADC Tribunal.

32. The Summit approved, the convening of a SADC Conference on Poverty and Development, and directed the Secretariat to make the necessary preparations in consultation with Mauritius.

33. With respect to the membership of Seychelles, the Summit welcomed the application of Seychelles to rejoin SADC and resolved to engage in further consultations on the matter.

34. The Summit mandated the SADC Secretariat to accelerate the process leading to the establishment of the SADC Regional Development Fund to finance development projects based on mobilisation of Member States own resources such as pension funds and any other regional funding sources.

35. The Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Lesotho for hosting them and for the warm hospitality extended to all delegates.

36 The Right Honourable Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili officially closed the Summit.

37. The next Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government will be held in Lusaka, Republic of Zambia in 2007.

Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho

August 18, 2006

COMMUNIQUÉ

EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF THE HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER THE REGIONAL, ECONOMIC AND

POLITICAL INTEGRATION

SOUTH AFRICA: MIDRAND 23 OCTOBER 2006

1. The SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government was held on 23rd October 2006, at Midrand, South Africa. Summit exchanged views on the scaling-up of the implementation of the regional economic integration, notably the launching of the Free Trade Area (FTA) by 2008, the preparations for the Customs Union by 2010 and SADC’s position on the African Union Government. The Extraordinary Summit was chaired by the Right Honourable Pakalitha Mosisili, Chairperson of SADC and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

2. Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government and representatives:

Botswana H.E. President Festus Mogae

Democratic Republic of Congo, H.E. Vice President Azarias Ruberwa

Lesotho The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili

Madagascar H.E. President Marc Ravalomanana

Malawi H.E. President Bingu wa Mutharika

Mozambique H.E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza

Namibia The Rt Hon. Prime Minister Nahas Angula

South Africa H.E. President Thabo Mbeki

Swaziland Hon. Prime Minister Absalom Dlamini

United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Prime Minister Edward Ngoyai Lowassa

Zambia Vice-President H.E. Rupiah Banda

Zimbabwe H.E. President Robert Mugabe

Angola Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Joao Bernardo de Miranda

Mauritius Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, Hon. Madan M Dulloo

3. The Extraordinary Summit was agreed upon at the Ordinary SADC Summit in August 2006, held in Maseru, the Kingdom of Lesotho. Its purpose was to review the status of regional economic integration and to propose measures to accelerate the implementation of the SADC economic integration agenda, especially the Free Trade Area to be attained in 2008 and a Customs Union in 2010.

4. Summit established a Task Force comprising the Ministers responsible for Finance, Investment and Economic Development, Trade and Industry and the SADC Secretariat to review and propose a roadmap to reach the agreed milestones for the implementation of the SADC integration programme.

5. The Extraordinary Summit considered the report and recommendations from the Task Force, and in particular the following aspects:

• Status of regional integration

• Free Trade Area;

• Preparation for a Customs Union

• Macro economic convergence

• SADC Development Fund and

• Institutional framework and support to implement the SADC regional economic integration agenda.

6. Summit noted progress made in the attainment of an FTA and concluded that the SADC Free Trade Area programme is on course and that it will be launched as planned by 2008. However, Summit noted that SADC’s trade patterns consist mainly of commodities and that there is need to diversify the SADC economies and increase intraregional trade and growth. In addition, Summit noted that the establishment of the FTA should take cognisance of developmental integration elements such as infrastructure, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

7. Summit reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of a SADC Customs Union by 2010 and directed the Ministerial Task Force to undertake and finalise a study, which will evaluate an appropriate model for a SADC Customs Union. In this regard, Summit directed that a road map be developed to facilitate the implementation of the SADC

Customs Union programme.

8. Summit recognised the need for complementary instruments and policies to support regional economic integration for achieving high and sustainable economic growth and development in order to eradicate poverty. Summit urged Member States to formulate policies to forge convergence of SADC economies.

9. Summit reaffirmed the need to ensure that the process of deepening integration in SADC should always observe the principle of Member States equity, balanced development and mutual benefit.

10. Summit reaffirmed its commitment to regional economic development and in this regard, underlined the need to mobilise resources in order to address issues of infrastructure, food security and other supply side challenges within the SADC region. Summit noted that it is through the development of supportive infrastructure that the regional trade potential can be harnessed to the benefit of the people of the region.

Summit therefore reiterated that the establishment of a Development Fund should be fast tracked.

11. Summit underlined the need to strengthen the SADC Secretariat in order to effectively lead and coordinate the implementation of the SADC integration programmes. In this respect, Summit directed that the Secretariat resources be increased and aligned with the SADC priority programmes, which seek to scale up the implementation of regional economic agenda.

12. Madagascar’s tariff phase down offer was accepted and Summit affirmed their support for Madagascar and noted that Madagascar is expected to deposit its instrument of implementation by mid-November 2006.

13. Summit noted the successful conclusion of elections in the Republic of Zambia and congratulated the Government and the People of Zambia on outcome of the elections which were in line with the SADC guidelines on elections.

14. Summit also expressed satisfaction with the manner with which the people and Government of Democratic Republic of Congo conducted themselves during the first round of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Summit called for the same political maturity to be maintained during the second round of Presidential elections.

15. Summit took note of the report of the Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on the African Union Government.

16. Summit noted the study on the African Union Government towards the United States of Africa and agreed that the effective establishment of the Union Government will occur when the African Continent attains higher levels of both economic and political integration.

17. Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of South Africa for the warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements made at short notice for the meetings.

Midrand, Republic of South Africa

23 October 2006

============

Communiqué

2007 Extra-Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, 28th - 29th March 2007, Dar-es-Salaam

The Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of SADC met in Dar-es-Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania on 29 March 2007 to discuss the political, economic and security situation in the region, with special focus on the situations in Lesotho, DRC and Zimbabwe.

The meeting was chaired by his Excellency President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete,

Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit was attended by following Heads of State and Government and Government representatives:

DRC HE President Joseph Kabila

Kingdom of Lesotho: Right Honourable Prime Minister Pakalitha Moslsill

Malawi HE President Bingu wa Muthrika

Mozambique HE President Armando Emilio Guebuza

Namibia HE President Hifikepunye Pohamba

South Africa HE President Thabo Mbeki

Kingdom of Swaziland: Right Honourable Prime Minister Themba Dlamini

United Republic of Tanzania: HE President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete

Zambia HE President Levy P Mwanawasa

Zimbabwe HE President Robert G Mugabe

Botswana HE Vice-President Honourable Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama lan Khama

Angola Honourable Joao Bernando Miranda Minister of External Relations

Madagascar HE Bruno Ranarivelo Ambassador to Mauritius

Mauritius HE Mahomed dossa High Commissioner to South Africa

ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN LESOTHO

The Extra-Ordinary Summit recalled that the Kingdom of Lesotho recently held  successful, peaceful and democratic elections.

The extra-Ordinary Summit noted and appreciated a briefing by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili and a report from the Executive Secretary arising out of the meeting of the Ministerial Double Troika on post electoral developments in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit decided to send a SADC delegation at Ministerial level to go and assess the situation as requested by the political parties.

ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE DRC

The Extra-Ordinary Summit recalled that SADC took an active part in ensuring the holding of free, fair and democratic elections in the DRC and congratulated the Government and people of the DRC for the successful outcome.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit noted and appreciated the briefing by HE President Joseph Kabila on the current political situation in the DRC.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit resolved to render unconditional support to the government of the DRC in its quest to restore law and order maintaining peace and stability and spearheading national reconstruction.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit reaffirmed the sovereign rights of the DRC to have a single national army and urged all armed groups to integrate into the national army or to be demobilised.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit reiterated that the rule of law in the DRC must be observed and respected by all parties in conformity with accepted international convention.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit expressed concern and the loss of life and urged all parties to respect the sanctity on human lives and the principles of human rights.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit expressed its support to the ongoing efforts for the economic reconstruction of the DRC.

POLITICAL SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE

The Extra-Ordinary Summit noted and appreciated the briefing by His Excellency President Robert G Mugabe on the current political developments in Zimbabwe.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit recalled that free, fair and democratic presidential election were held in 2002 in Zimbabwe.

The Extra Ordinary Summit reaffirmed its solidarity with the government and people of Zimbabwe.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit mandated His Excellency President Thabo Mbeki to continue to facilitate dialogue between the opposition and the government and report back to the troika on progress.

The Extra ordinary summit also encouraged enhanced diplomatic contacts which will assist with the resolution of the situation in Zimbabwe.

The Extra Ordinary Summit mandated the SADC Executive Secretary to undertake a study on the economic situation in Zimbabwe and propose measures on how SADC can assist Zimbabwe recover economically.

The Extra-Ordinary summit reiterated the appeal to Britain to honour its compensation obligations with regards to land reform made at the Lancaster House.

The Extra Ordinary Summit appealed for the lifting of all forms of sanctions against Zimbabwe.

(Source: http://www.dfa.gov.za/docs/2007/sadc0330.htm)

=====================

Communiqué SADC Summit
 

• The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African development Community (SADC) was held in Lusaka, Republic of Zambia from August 16 to 17, 2007.

• The Summit was officially opened by the Right. Hon. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho and SADC Chairperson, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili.

• Summit elected His Excellency Mr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, the President of the Republic of Zambia and His Excellency Mr. Thabo Mbeki, the President of the Republic of South Africa as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of SADC respectively.

• Summit elected His Excellency Mr. Josė Eduardo dos Santos, the President of the Republic of Angola and His Majesty King Mswati 111 of the Kingdom of Swaziland as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation respectively.

• The Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government:

Angola                    H.E. President Josė Eduardo dos Santos
Botswana                H.E. President  Festus Mogae
DRC                      H.E. President Joseph Kabila
Lesotho                   The Right. Hon. Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili
Madagascar            H.E. President Marc Ravalomanana
Malawi                    H.E. President Bingu wa Mutharika
Mauritius                 The Hon. Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam
Mozambique           H.E. President Armando Emіlio Guebuza         
Namibia                  H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba
South Africa            H.E. President Thabo Mbeki
United Republic      H.E President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
of Tanzania
Zambia                    H.E. President Levy P Mwanawasa(SC)
Zimbabwe              H.E. President Robert G Mugabe
 

• The following organisations were also represented at the Summit: African Union, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD);Economic Commission for Africa; Common Market for East and Southern Africa(COMESA) and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

• His Excellency President Mwanawasa, host of the 27 th Summit welcomed the SADC Heads of State and Government and other delegates to the Republic of Zambia.

• In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the Outgoing Chairperson, The Right. Hon. Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili of the Kingdom of Lesotho, thanked Member States for the support rendered to him during his tenure of office since the 2006 Summit. He noted the progress made towards deeper regional integration and efforts to achieve the Free Trade Area in 2008. He also called for a review of the regional energy situation, the removal of all barriers to facilitate the movement of goods, including an effective operationalisation of corridors to alleviate the inhibiting costs of transport especially landlocked SADC Member States. He handed over the SADC Chairpersonship to His Excellency President Mwanawasa, of the Republic of Zambia.

• In accepting the SADC Chairpersonship, His Excellency President Mwanawasa thanked the Outgoing Chairperson for the progress achieved during his leadership of SADC. President Mwanawasa undertook to provide leadership towards the operationalisation of the FTA in 2008, consolidate and accelerate preparations towards the Customs Union.

• The Summit reviewed the Report from the outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and security Cooperation, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. Summit noted the Report which highlighted the implementation of the Strategic Indicative Plan of the Organ (SIPO) and in particular human resources requirements for its implementation.

• Summit noted the consolidation of democracy and political stability in the region. In this regard, Summit noted the peaceful and orderly manner in which the people of the DRC, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Madagascar and the Republic of Zambia exercised their democratic rights as they voted in the presidential and parliamentary elections held in their respective countries. Summit noted that SADC Observer Missions were present and pronounced the elections peaceful, credible, free and fair, transparent and professionally managed.

• The Summit congratulated the people of the DRC, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Madagascar and the Republic of Zambia for these elections.

• The Summit was briefed that the negotiations between Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and both factions of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were progressing smoothly. Summit commended President Thabo Mbeki. Summit welcomed the progress and encouraged the parties to expedite the process of negotiations and conclude work as soon as possible so that the next elections are held in an atmosphere of peace allowing the people of Zimbabwe to elect the leaders of their choice in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.

• Summit took note of the Report of the Executive Secretary on the economic situation in Zimbabwe and mandated the SADC Ministers responsible for Finance to use the Report of the Executive Secretary in consultations with the Government of Zimbabwe and draw up an economic plan to support Zimbabwe.

• Summit launched the SADC Brigade consisting of military, police and civilian components from all SADC Member States which was set up under the provisions of the African Union which recommends that each of its Five (5) Regional Economic Communities (RECs) should have a standby capacity for peace support operations on the Continent.

• Summit received the Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration on the review of the implementation of the SADC Free Trade Area and noted that there is a basis to declare the SADC Free Trade Area in 2008.

• Summit noted progress made in the preparation of the SADC Customs Union Road Map and urged the Ministerial Task Force to accelerate the completion of this work and reaffirmed its earlier decisions on the need to accelerate the implementation of related trade and economic programmes.

• Summit reviewed the recent economic developments in the region and noted with satisfaction that the region registered positive economic growth. Summit urged Member States to continue implementing sound macroeconomic policies that enhance the increasing macroeconomic convergence.

• Summit held a special session focussing on strategies to accelerate regional infrastructure development to support deeper regional integration and development. To this effect, Summit directed the Secretariat to work out the details of a regional Master Plan for Infrastructure Development in close cooperation with Member States.

• Summit noted progress being made in the implementation of the Maseru Declaration on Combating HIV and AIDS. The achievements include the approval of the Framework for Operationalising the SADC HIV and AIDS Regional Fund, the training of 80 Officials from Member States as Trainers of Trainers in HIV and AIDS mainstreaming, the development of core indicators for tracking progress in the implementation of the Maseru Declaration and other commitments and the development of a Framework for identifying and documenting Best Practices in the region.

• The Summit reviewed the food security situation in the region and noted that Malawi and Zambia have a cereal surplus.

In response to humanitarian assistance requirements in the region and within the SADC cooperation framework, Malawi pledged a donation of 5 000 metric tonnes to Swaziland and 5 000 metric tonnes to Lesotho. Zambia donated 10 000 tonnes to the Region through World Food Programme.
 

• Summit noted the progress made towards achieving the set target of 50% women representation in decision making and reaffirmed its commitment to attain this target. Summit noted progress on the negotiations of the protocol on gender and development and agreed to defer its signature to allow some Member States to conclude their internal consultations.

• Summit also received a Declaration from the 2007 SADC First Spouses Summit that took place in Lusaka under the theme: “Accelerating Progress in Achieving Gender Equality”.

• Summit noted, with satisfaction, the progress being made towards the construction of the SADC Headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana and approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) underwriting the financing of the project.

• Summit took note of the progress made in the preparations of the SADC International Conference on Poverty and Development that will be held in Mauritius in April 2008. The SADC Ministerial Consultative Conference with International Cooperating Partners (ICPs) will be held back to back with this Summit Conference.

• Summit signed the following legal instruments:

• Agreement to Amend Article 22 of the SADC Treaty;
• Agreement to Amend the Protocol on the Tribunal;
• Agreement to Amend Annex VI to the Protocol on Trade;
• Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) amongst SADC Member States on the SADC Headquarters;
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the establishment of the SADC Standby Brigade.

 

• The Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Zambia for its warm hospitality extended to all delegates and facilities provided.

• His Excellency President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa (SC) officially closed the Summit. The 2008 Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government will be held in the Republic of South Africa.

 
Lusaka, Republic of Zambia
August 17, 2007
====================

Communiqué of 2008 First Extra-Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, 13 April 2008, Lusaka, Zambia

1. The Extra-ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government or their representatives of SADC met in Lusaka, Zambia to discuss the political developments in Zimbabwe following the recent Presidential Senatorial, National Assembly and Local Authorities elections’ held on March 2008.

2. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency, President Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa SC, Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and President of the Republic of Zambia.

3. The Extra-ordinary Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government: 

Zambia                      H.E. President Dr Levy P Mwanawasa         
                                Chairperson of SADC
Angola            .......... H.E. President José Eduardo dos Santos
                                Chairperson of Organ on Politics, Defense and        
                                Security Cooperation
Botswana                   H.E. President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian                  
                                Khama
DRC                          H.E. President Joseph Kabila
Mozambique               H.E. President Armando Emilio Gueouza
Namibia                     H.E. President Hilfikepunye Pohamba
South Africa               H.E. President Thabo Mbeki
Malawi            ...........H.E. President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika
Kingdom of    ............Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Lesao Lehlohla
Lesotho
Mauritius                    Hon. James B. David, Minister for Local
                                Government
Kingdom of                Hon. Charles S. Magongo, Minister of Public 
Swaziland                Service and Information
United Republic          Hon. Seif A. Iddi, Deputy Minister for 
of Tanzania              Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Zimbabwe                  Hon. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, Minister of 
                                Rural Housing and Social Amenities
           
Madagascar               H.E. Ambassador Dr. Dennis Andriamandroso

4. In his opening remarks, the SADC Chairperson welcomed their Excellencies, Heads of State and Government to Lusaka, Zambia and indicated that the purpose of the Extra-ordinary Summit was to discuss the recent events in Zimbabwe following the elections in Zimbabwe in an open, objective and honest manner. In this regard, SADC reaffirmed its commitment to assist the parties to deal with the current situation.

5. The Extra-ordinary Summit was held in line with SADC objectives to promote common political values and systems transmitted through institutions that are democratic, legitimate and effective to facilitate the consolidation of democracy, peace, security and stability.

6. The Summit welcomed and congratulated H.E. President Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of Botswana on his assumption of office.

7. The Extra-ordinary Summit noted and appreciated the briefing by H.E. President José Eduardo dos Santos, Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation on the Report of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission deployed in Zimbabwe during the elections.

8.  The Summit noted that the Report of the Chairperson of the Organ on the elections in Zimbabwe indicated that the electoral process was acceptable to all parties. Summit commended the Chairperson of the Organ for the manner in which the Observer Mission was handled. At the time of holding the Extra-ordinary Summit, the results of the Presidential election had not been announced by the election authorities.

9. The Summit commended the people of Zimbabwe for the peaceful and orderly manner in which they conducted themselves before, during and after the elections.

10. The Summit commended the Government of Zimbabwe for ensuring that elections were conducted in a peaceful environment.

11. The Summit congratulated and thanked the SADC Facilitator, President Mbeki and his Facilitation Team, for the role they had played in helping to contribute to the successful holding of elections. Summit requested President Mbeki to continue in his role as Facilitator on Zimbabwe on the outstanding issues

12. The Extra-ordinary Summit noted and appreciated the brief by the delegation of the Government of Zimbabwe on the elections held in Zimbabwe. The Government indicated that the elections were held in a free and peaceful environment. The Government expressed concerns at instances of inaccuracy of some figures relating to the House of Assembly, Senate and Presidential elections.

13. Member States, with the exception of Zimbabwe, held informal consultations with Presidential candidates, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) and independent candidate, Dr Simba Makoni. Both opposition leaders confirmed that the elections were held in a free, fair and peaceful environment. Whilst they do not have a problem with the election results of the Senatorial, Parliamentary and Local Authority elections, they expressed concerns on the delay in announcing the results as well as lack of their participation in the verification process of the Presidential results currently being conducted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

14. The Summit urged the electoral authorities in Zimbabwe that verification and release of results are expeditiously done in accordance with the due process of law. Summit also urged all the parties in the electoral process in Zimbabwe to accept the results when they are announced. By due process of law, Summit understood to mean that:
    
    
    (a) the verification and counting must be done in the presence of candidates and/or their agents, if they so wish, who must all sign the authenticity of such verification and counting.
    
    (b) SADC offers to send its Election Observer Mission who would be present throughout such verification and counting.

15. In such verification and counting makes it necessary for the parties to go for a run-off, the Government is urged to ensure that the run-off elections are held in a secure environment. SADC offers to send an Election Observer Mission.

16. The Summit appeals to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to ensure strict compliance with the rule of law and SADC Principles and Guidelines governing democratic elections.

17. The Summit expressed its deep appreciation for the gracious hospitality extended to them by the Government of Zambia

Done at Mulungushi International Conference Centre
Lusaka, Zambia
13 April 2008
 ======================
Final Communiqué of the 28th Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government
1. The Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held in Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa from August 16 to 17, 2008.
2. The Summit was officially opened by Hon. Kabinga J. Pande, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Zambia and SADC Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC.
3.   Summit elected H.E. Mr. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, the President of the Republic of South Africa and H.E. President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of SADC respectively.
4.  Summit elected H.M. King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland and H.E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza of the Republic of Mozambique as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation respectively.
5. The Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government:

Angola	H.E. President José Eduardo dos Santos
DRC	H.E. President Joseph Kabila
Lesotho	The Rt. Hon. Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Lesao Lehohla
Madagascar	H.E President Marc Ravalomanana
Malawi	H.E. President Bingu wa Mutharika
Mauritius	Dr. the Hon. Prime Minister, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK
Mozambique	H.E. President Armando Emílio Guebuza
Namibia	H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba
Seychelles	H. E. President James Alix Michel
South Africa	H.E. President Thabo Mbeki
Swaziland	H.M. King Mswati III
United Republic of Tanzania	H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
Zambia	Hon. Kabinga J. Pande, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Special Representative of H.E. Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC
Zimbabwe	H.E. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe

6. The following organisations were also represented at the Summit: African Union Commission (AUC); United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA); East African Community (EAC); Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU); SADC Tribunal; SADC Parliamentary Forum; Economic Commission for West African States (ECOWAS) and the New Economic Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
7.  H.E. President Mbeki, host of the 28th Summit, welcomed the SADC Heads of State and Government and other delegates to the Republic of South Africa.
8.  The Summit’s Outgoing Chairperson H.E. President Mwanawasa, in an  address read on his behalf by his Special Representative, Hon. Pande, thanked Member States for the support rendered to him during his tenure. He emphasised the importance of upholding peace, security and democracy as a prerequisite for advancing the regional development agenda. He noted the progress made towards deeper regional integration, specifically the launch of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) that took place during the sitting of Summit. He further emphasised the need for infrastructure development, food security as well as strengthening the capacity of the SADC Secretariat in order to ensure effective implementation of regional integration programmes. He handed over the SADC Chairpersonship to H.E. President Mbeki.
9. In accepting the SADC Chairpersonship, H.E. President Mbeki thanked the Outgoing Chairperson for the progress achieved during his leadership of SADC and on behalf of Summit expressed the wish for President Mwanawasa’s speedy recovery. He recalled that the strength and achievement of SADC over many years has been derived from its political unity and cohesion and that this will be required in order to address the current challenges facing the region, including reversing marginalisation, and addressing the twin scourges of underdevelopment and poverty.
10. The Summit received a Report from the Outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, H.E. President José Eduardo dos Santos, on the implementation of the Strategic Indicative Plan of the Organ (SIPO), with specific reference to the political and security situation in the Region.
11.  Summit recognised that the region had managed to consolidate peace and democracy in SADC. With regard to the ongoing challenges in Zimbabwe, Summit noted the outcomes of the Extraordinary Summit of the Organ held during the course of the Summit and reaffirmed its commitment to work with the people of Zimbabwe in order to overcome the challenges they are facing.

12. On the economic front, Summit noted the positive economic performance recorded by SADC Member States in 2007 and called for concerted efforts to sustain this progress. Against this background, Summit observed with concern the new challenges emerging as a result of especially the energy and food price crises which risk reversing the gains made by the region.
13. Summit reviewed the progress report of the Ministerial Task Force on Food Security and adopted various measures aimed at enhancing regional food security including the establishment of a Regional Food Reserve Facility.
14.  Summit welcomed the initiatives currently underway to mitigate against the negative consequences of the critical shortage and high prices of energy faced by the region.
15.  Summit launched the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) which is the first milestone in the regional economic integration agenda. Summit recognises that free trade in the region will create a larger market, releasing potential for trade, economic development and employment creation.
16. Summit called for the  acceleration of interventions to further deepen regional integration agenda through the development of a programme of cooperation aimed at expanding regional production capacity which entails provision and rehabilitation of regional infrastructure to take advantage of a more open regional economy. In addition, Summit emphasised the need for full implementation of the SADC Protocol on Trade in order to ensure that the FTA is sustainable and the envisaged Customs Union in SADC is attainable.
17.   Summit signed the following legal instruments:

i) Agreement Amending the Treaty;
ii) Protocol on Gender and Development;
iii) Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation;
iv) Agreement Amending Article 20 of the Protocol on Trade;
v) Agreement Amending Article 6 of the Protocol on the Tribunal and the Rules of Procedure Thereof;

18.  Summit welcomed Seychelles back as a member of SADC
19.  Summit welcomed progress on the preparations for the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Summit to be held in October 2008 as an important vehicle for harmonisation of the regional integration programmes and also constitutes an important framework for broader Continental integration.
20. The Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa for the warm hospitality extended to all delegates and facilities provided.
21. His Excellency President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki officially closed the Summit. The 2009 Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government will be held in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Sandton, Republic of South Africa
August 17, 2008
=============================

Communiqué of the Extraordinary Summit of the Organ

1. The Extraordinary Summit of the Organ of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held in Sandton, Republic of South Africa from August 16 to 17, 2008, on the margins of the 28th Ordinary SADC Summit.

2. The Extraordinary Summit of the Organ was attended by the following Heads of State and Government:

Angola	H.E. President José Eduardo dos Santos
DRC	H.E. President Joseph Kabila
Lesotho	The Rt. Hon. Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Lesao Lehohla
Madagascar	H.E President Marc Ravalomanana
Malawi	H.E. President Bingu wa Mutharika
Mauritius	Dr. the Hon. Prime Minister, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK
Mozambique	H.E. President Armando Emílio Guebuza
Namibia	H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba
Seychelles	H. E. President James Alix Michel
South Africa	H.E. President Thabo Mbeki
Swaziland	H.M. King Mswati III
United Republic of Tanzania	H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
Zambia	Hon. Kabinga J. Pande, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Special Representative of H.E. Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC
Zimbabwe	H.E. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe
Botswana	Hon. Pandu Skelemani, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

3. The Extraordinary Summit of the Organ considered the political developments in the Republic of Zimbabwe and:

   i) Recalled the Resolutions adopted in Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania on 29th March 2007 and in Sharm El Sheik on 30th June to 2nd July 2008 on the framework of dealing with the Political Situation in Zimbabwe, which call upon the parties to form an all inclusive Government;
   ii) Acknowledged the efforts made by the parties so far in implementing the SADC and AU resolutions;
   iii) Commended the parties for their commitment to the dialogue in implementing the SADC and AU resolutions on resolving the Political Situation in Zimbabwe;
   iv) Commended the Facilitator, President Thabo Mbeki for his efforts and encouraged him to continue in his mediation efforts and fully support his work;
   v) Expressed strong opinion that documents as contained in the Facilitator’s Report reflect the framework, spirit and purpose of the SADC and AU Resolutions.  In view of that, they are a good basis for a global agreement;
   vi) Encouraged and appealed to the parties to sign any outstanding agreements and conclude the negotiations as a matter of urgency to restore political stability in Zimbabwe;
   vii) Recognised that while negotiations are continuing, it may be necessary to convene Parliament to give effect to the will of the people as expressed in the Parliamentary elections held on 29 March 2008;
   
   viii)  Remains committed to support the parties as they implement the agreement

Sandton, Republic of South Africa
August 17, 2008
=============================

Communique: Extra-ordinary Summit of the Organ Troika, 27-28 October 2008, Harare, Republic of Zimbabwe

28 October 2008

1. The Extra-ordinary Summit of the Organ Troika of Heads of State and Government met in Harare, Republic of Zimbabwe. The main objective of the meeting was to review the latest Political and Security situation in the region with particular reference to the current developments in the Republic of Zimbabwe.
2. The meeting was chaired by H.E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of the Republic of Mozambique and Deputy Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
3. The Extra-ordinary Summit was attended by the following Heads of States and Government or their representatives:Mozambique:
   H.E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza
   Deputy Chairperson of the Organ on Politics,
   Defence and Security Cooperation South Africa:
   H.E. President Kgalema Motlanthe, Chairperson of SADC
   Swaziland:
   Right Honourable Dr. Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini, M.P., Prime Minister
   Angola:
   Hon. Assunção A Sousa dos Anjos, Minister of Foreign Affairs
   
4. The meeting was also attended by His Excellency Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, Former President of the Republic of South Africa and Facilitator on the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue Leaders of MDC Formations, Honourable Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister Designate of the Republic Zimbabwe, and Honourable Professor Arthur Mutambara, Deputy Prime Minister Designate and the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão.
5. In his opening remarks, His Excellency President Armando Emilio Gueuza, President of the Republic of Mozambique welcomed all delegates to the meeting and re-affirmed SADC Organ’s commitment in supporting the implementation of the Global Political Agreement signed on 15 September 2008 between the Government and the two MDC Formations.
6. The Extra-ordinary Summit of the Organ Troika also received a report from His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, Former President of the Republic of the South Africa and the Facilitator of the Political Dialogue on the Zimbabwe situation. The report, among others provided details on the progress made since the signing of the Global Agreement on the 15 September 2008 and the challenges experienced thereafter.
7. The Extra-ordinary Summit also noted with appreciation the commitment of the Zimbabwe stakeholders to the dialogue process, the need to speedily complete the process fro the socio-economic development for all the Zimbabweans.
8. The Extra Ordinary Summit of the Organ Troika appreciated the efforts of His Excellency Thabo Mbeki the facilitator of the Political Dialogue on Zimbabwe in finding an amicable solution to challenges facing the Republic of Zimbabwe and encouraged him to continue with his mediation efforts.
9. The Extra-ordinary Summit afforded His Excellency Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Honourable Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister Designate and Honourable Professor Arthur Mutambara, Deputy Prime Minister Designate to brief the meeting on the progress made since the signing of the Global Political Agreement on 15 September 2008.
10. The Extra Ordinary Summit noted with concern disagreement in the allocation of Ministry of Home Affairs and urged the parties concerned to reach an agreement in order to enable the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement on 15 September 2008 as a matter of urgency.
11. The Extra-ordinary Summit however, noted the progress made so far regarding allocation on ministries and that there is convergence between the parties with respect to cooperative management of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Summit thereafter strongly encourages the parties to pursue this option.
12. The Extra-ordinary Summit of the Organ noted that people of Zimbabwe are faced with difficult challenges and suffering that can only be addressed once the inclusive Government in place.
13. In view of the above, the Extra-ordinary Summit of the Organ urged the parties to genuinely commit themselves in finding a lasting solution to the current deadlock.
14. The Extra-ordinary Summit of the Organ recommended the holding of the full SADC Summit to further review the current political situation in Zimbabwe as a matter of urgency.
15. The Extra Ordinary Summit of the Organ Troika will continuously remain seized with the ongoing political situation in the Republic of Zimbabwe.
16. His Excellency President Guebuza, thanked His Excellency President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, other stakeholders and the people of Zimbabwe for the warm reception and hospitality.

Rainbow Towers Hotel
Harare, Republic of Zimbabwe
28 October 2008

===============

Communiqué of the 29th Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government

1.  The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, from September 07 to 08, 2009.

2.   The Summit was officially opened by the SADC Chairperson, His Excellency President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma of the Republic of South Africa.

3.   Summit elected His Excellency President Joseph Kabila Kabange of the Democratic Republic of Congo and His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba of the Republic of Namibia as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of SADC respectively.

4.   Summit also elected His Excellency President Armando Emilio Guebuza of the Republic of Mozambique and His Excellency President Rupiah Bwezani Banda of the Republic of Zambia as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation respectively.

5.   The Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government:


Botswana                              H.E. President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama

DRC                                     H.E. President Joseph Kabila Kabange

Lesotho                                 The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili

Mozambique                         H.E. President Armando Emílio Guebuza

Namibia                                H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba

South Africa                          H.E. President Jacob G. Zuma

Swaziland                             His Majesty King Mswati III

Zambia                                 H.E. President Rupiah B. Banda

Zimbabwe                             H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe

Angola                                  Hon. Prime Minister Antonio Paulo Kassoma

Malawi                                  Hon. Professor Eta Banda 
                                            Minister of Foreign Affairs

United Republic                   ...Hon. Bernard Membe, Minister of Foreign of Tanzania                        Affairs

Mauritius                               Hon. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration & International Trade

Seychelles                            Hon. Patrick Pillay, Minister of Foreign Affairs

6.   The Summit was also attended by H.E. Sir Ketumile Masire, former President of the Republic of Botswana and H.E. Joaquim Alberto Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique. Both former Heads of State appraised Summit on the progress made in their respective missions as SADC Eminent Persons and Mediators for the dialogue on the political situation in Lesotho and Madagascar respectively.

7.   The following organisations were represented at the Summit:  The African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Union Commission (AUC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.

8.   His Excellency President Kabila Kabange, host of the 29th Summit welcomed the SADC Heads of State and Government and all the other delegates to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

9.   His Excellency President Zuma delivered a speech to Summit both as a new SADC leader following his inauguration as President of his country and as the SADC Chairperson. He highlighted positive developments in the socioeconomic and political areas of SADC during his country’s tenure of office and pointed out the challenges facing the region, including the impact of the climate change, global financial and economic crisis, and urged Member States to continue the joint efforts in addressing them. On the political front, he urged the Member States to collectively tackle the challenges in Lesotho, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. He thanked Member States for the support rendered to his country during its tenure of office.

10.   Accepting the SADC Chairpersonship, His Excellency President Joseph Kabila Kabange thanked the Outgoing Chairperson for the progress achieved during his leadership of SADC and indicated that he would direct his efforts towards consolidating the gains achieved so far and ensure continuation in the implementation of SADC priorities for the benefit and improvement of the welfare of the people of the SADC Region.

11.   The Summit also received the maiden speech by President Rupiah B. Banda of the Republic of Zambia, thanking the Member States for the support he received since he became President of his country last year. President Banda highlighted that, given peace and political stability underpinned by good governance and the right economic policy environment, SADC can perform to its full potential.

12.   The Summit also noted a statement of the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão which highlighted, among other things that the region had been negatively affected by the Global Economic Crisis. The Executive Secretary also reported that the new SADC Headquarters had been completed and that the SADC Secretariat staff has since mid August moved into the new building.

13.   The Summit also received a Report from the outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland. The Summit noted that the Region remains peaceful and stable. The political and security challenges in a few parts of the region, especially the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Madagascar and the Republic of Zimbabwe are being effectively addressed.

14.   On Zimbabwe, Summit noted the progress made in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement and called on the international community to remove all forms of sanctions against Zimbabwe.

15.   On Madagascar, Summit noted the progress made in an effort to restore constitutional order in Madagascar. Summit commended H.E. Joachim Alberto Chissano, former President of Mozambique and SADC Mediator for the progress made thus far.

16.   Summit noted with concern the attempts to undermine the agreements signed in Maputo by all Malagasy political movements on the 9th of August 2009.

17.   The Summit firmly rejected and strongly condemned any unilateral decision which violates the spirit of the Maputo agreements. Summit further reiterated its decision on the suspension of Madagascar from SADC until the restoration of constitutional order in that country. 

18.   The Summit reiterates its support to the current political dialogue in Madagascar and urges all political stakeholders to fully implement the Maputo agreements.

19.   On Lesotho, Summit noted the report of the Eminent Person, former President Sir Ketumile Masire and commended him for his efforts in the post electoral political dialogue in Lesotho. Summit further urged all the Basotho stakeholders to the dialogue to continue to be engaged in the process.

20.   The Summit expressed gratitude to the Eminent Persons and Facilitators for their mediation and facilitation efforts and noted progress made in the implementation of agreements to address the political challenges in these countries.

21.   The Summit noted the consolidation of democracy and political stability in the region. In particular, the Summit noted the free and fair manner in which the peoples of the Republic of Angola, Republic of Malawi, Kingdom of Swaziland the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Zambia have exercised their franchise at the polls last year and this year in the presidential, parliamentary, provincial and local elections. The Summit also noted that Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia are set to hold their elections during the last quarter of this year. The Summit congratulated the Government and people of the Republic of Angola, Republic of Malawi, Kingdom of Swaziland the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Zambia for the elections held and wished the other SADC Member States well who are going to the polls later this year. The Summit also congratulated Excellency President Rupiah B. Banda, His Excellency President Jacob G. Zuma and His Excellency President Bingu wa Mutharika for winning elections in their respective countries.

22.   The Summit considered progress made towards the achievement of the 50% representation of women in political and decision making positions at all levels in line with their 2005 decision. Summit urged Member States especially those still to hold elections this year to ensure the gender parity goal. Furthermore, Summit congratulated Malawi for appointing a female vice president after the May 2009 elections.

23.   The Summit noted progress made in the implementation of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) and in the preparations for the negotiations of the SADC Customs Union and urged the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration to ensure that outstanding issues are effectively addressed. Summit also noted that the Task Force will meet in a Strategic Forum before the end of 2009 to further examine the regional economic integration agenda.

 24.   The Summit also reviewed the prevailing food security situation in the Region and noted the improved production. Overall, the Region estimates cereal surpluses in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia. Summit noted that while food production and availability has improved in the Region, access to food and malnutrition at household level remains a challenge due to low income and high food prices among others. Summit urged Member States to scale up the implementation of the Dar-es-salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security.

25.   The Summit reiterated SADC’s support of the African position on a comprehensive internal climate change regime beyond 2012 to be set within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009.

26.   The Summit noted progress made in the implementation of the Maseru Declaration on Combating HIV and AIDS, particularly on Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission and the uptake of ARV. In order to achieve universal access targets and mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on socio-economic development and regional integration, Summit urged Member States to intensify their efforts in implementing the Maseru Declaration on Combating HIV and AIDS.

27.   Summit approved and/or signed the following six legal instruments:

(i) Memorandum of Understanding on Regional Cooperation and Integration among the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC);
(ii) Agreement Amending the Treaty of the Southern African Development Community (Deputy Executive Secretaries);
(iii) Agreement Amending the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, and Consequential Amendments to the Treaty;
(iv) Declaration on Regional Cooperation in Competition and Consumer Laws and Policies
(v) Agreement Amending the Protocol on the Development of Tourism in the Southern African Development Community.

28.   The Summit appointed Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão as SADC Executive Secretary and Eng. João Samuel Caholo as SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration.

29.   The Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and People of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the warm hospitality extended to all delegates and facilities placed at their disposal that made this Summit a success.

30.   The Summit supported Malawi’s candidature to be the next chairperson of the African Union.

31.   The 2010 Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government will be held in the Republic of Namibia.

32.   His Excellency President Joseph Kabila Kabange officially closed the Summit.

KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
SEPTEMBER 08, 2009

================================


Communiqué of the 30th Jubilee Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government

1. The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held in Windhoek, Republic of Namibia from August 16-17, 2010.
   
   
2. Summit was officially opened by SADC Chairperson, His Excellency Joseph Kabila Kabange, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
   
   
3. Summit elected His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba of the Republic of Namibia and His Excellency President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of the Republic of Angola as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of SADC respectively.
   
   
4. Summit also elected His Excellency President Rupiah Bwezani Banda of the Republic of Zambia and His Excellency Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation respectively.
   
   
5. The Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government:
   
   

   Botswana	H.E. Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana;
   DRC	H.E. Joseph Kabila Kabange, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo;
   Lesotho	Rt. Hon. Pakalitha B. Mosisili, MP, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho;
   Malawi	H.E. Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi;
   Mauritius	Dr. the Hon. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK FRCP, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius;
   Mozambique	H.E. Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of the Republic of Mozambique;
   Namibia	H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba, the President of the Republic of Namibia;
   South Africa	H.E. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa;
   Swaziland	H.M. King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland;
   Zambia	H.E. Rupiah Bwezani Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia;
   Zimbabwe	H.E. Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe;
   Angola	H.E. Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, Vice President of the Republic of Angola;
   Seychelles	H.E. Danny Foure, Vice President of the Republic of Seychelles; and
   Tanzania	H.E. Amani Abeid Karume, President of Zanzibar of the United Republic of Tanzania.

   
   
6. Summit was also attended by the following former Heads of State and Government of SADC Member States:
   
   H.E. Sir Ketumile Masire, Former President of the Republic of Botswana;
   
   H.E. Joaquim Alberto Chissano, Former President of the Republic of Mozambique;
   
   H.E. Dr. Sam Shafishuna Nujoma, Founding President and Father of the Namibian Nation; and
   
   H.E. Kenneth David Kaunda, Founding President of the Republic of Zambia.
   
   
7. The following organisations were represented at the Summit: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
   
   
8. His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba of the Republic of Namibia and host of the 30th SADC Jubilee Summit welcomed the SADC Heads of State and Government and all the delegates to the Republic of Namibia. His Excellency thanked the Former Heads of State and Government of SADC Member States for their vision and dedication as well as laying a solid foundation for the development of SADC.
   
   
9. Summit was also addressed by the Chairperson of the African Union, His Excellency Ngwazi Prof. Bingu wa Mutharika, the President of the Republic of Malawi. His Excellency underscored the need for the region to achieve food security as a basis for sustainable economic growth. His Excellency further called on the Southern African leaders to enhance the region’s application of science and technology to address issues of climate change, energy and infrastructure development. His Excellency also urged Member States to give attention to safe motherhood programmes, at both country and regional levels, in order to significantly reduce maternal, infant and child mortality by 2015.
   
   
10. The Outgoing Chairperson of SADC, his Excellency President Joseph Kabila Kabange in his hand over statement, paid tribute to, amongst others, the Founding Fathers of SADC, the Frontline States, and the visionary pan-African leaders. He highlighted the achievements recorded by SADC in the last 30 years which include infrastructure development, the launch of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA).
    
    
11. In his acceptance statement, His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba thanked the outgoing Chairperson for the able manner in which he steered SADC during the tenure of office. His Excellency pledged commitment to further strengthen cooperation among SADC Member States in order to enhance the capacity of the region to address common challenges.
    
    
12. The Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomao highlighted progress made during the past year in the implementation of the regional development and integration agenda. He noted that the region is still recovering from the global economic crisis and outlined policy measures to enable the region to cushion itself from any future economic crisis.
    
    
13. Summit congratulated the Republic of Angola and the Republic of South Africa for successfully hosting the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup respectively.
    
    
14. Summit received a report from the outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, His Excellency Armando Emilio Guebuza. Summit noted that the region continues to consolidate democracy, peace and security. In this regard, Summit noted the peaceful and orderly manner in which the people of Botswana, Mauritius, Mozambique and Namibia exercised their democratic rights as they voted in presidential and parliamentary elections held in their respective countries. Summit noted that these electoral processes were regarded as free, fair, transparent and credible.
    
    
15. Summit noted the efforts being made in the search for substantial political solutions in the Kingdom of Lesotho, Republic of Madagascar and the Republic of Zimbabwe.
    
    
16. On the Kingdom of Lesotho, Summit commended the stakeholders for their commitment to the post-electoral dialogue, the role of the Christian Council of Lesotho and SADC Facilitation Team in mediating the Lesotho post election dialogue. Summit also urged the Lesotho stakeholders to work together towards the finalisation of the Bill Amending the Electoral Law as a matter of urgency.
    
    
17. On Madagascar, Summit commended His Excellency President Chissano, SADC Mediator in the Madagascar dialogue, for his efforts of restoring constitutional normalcy in the country. Summit approved the following:
    
    SADC, the African Union and the wider international community should lend their political, technical, material and financial support to the process of Malgacho-Malgache dialogue;
    
    The SADC Mediator should continue to follow the situation closely, avail his support and facilitation to the Malagasy as appropriate, and report regularly to SADC and AU on developments in Madagascar;
    
    The need for the dialogue process to observe the key principles of neutrality, consensus, credibility and inclusiveness
    
    Establishment of a SADC liaison office in Madagascar in order to support the dialogue process in the country;
    
    and Continuation of the sanctions on the Republic of Madagascar until the country returns to constitutional normalcy.
    
    
18. On Zimbabwe, Summit:
    
    Commended His Excellency Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa and Facilitator of the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue for facilitating the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA);
    
    Commended the Zimbabwe stakeholders for their efforts towards implementation of the GPA;
    
    Urged the Zimbabwe stakeholders to remain committed to the implementation of the GPA;
    
    Reiterated its call on the international community to lift all forms of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and the SADC region in general; and
    
    Mandated the Chairperson of SADC assisted by the Chairperson of the Organ and the Facilitator of the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue to engage the international community on the issue of sanctions on Zimbabwe.
    
    
19. Summit noted the economic and security threat posed by piracy in the coastal waters of SADC Member States, especially Seychelles, Mauritius and United Republic of Tanzania. Summit mandated the Secretariat to send a team of technical experts to establish the extent of the problem and recommend appropriate measures.
    
    
20. Summit received a report from the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration. Summit noted that the Task Force has adopted a comprehensive work programme with concrete actions and timelines aimed at consolidating the SADC FTA.
    
    
21. Summit reaffirmed commitment to establish a SADC Customs Union and endorsed the decision of the Task Force to appoint a high level expert group. The main mandate of this group will be considerate and refine technical work so far done in order to reach agreement and common understanding on the parameters, benchmarks, timelines, a model customs union and its implementation modalities. A report will be submitted to the Task Force before December 2011.
    
    
22. Summit noted the preparations towards establishing the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite FTA. Summit also noted that SADC will host the next Tripartite Council and Summit. To this end, Summit mandated the Chairperson of Council and the Executive Secretary to consult with Member States regarding the dates and venue of the Tripartite Council and Summit meetings.
    
    
23. Summit reviewed progress on the socio-economic situation in the region with particular focus on the impact of the global economic crisis on the region, food security, climate change, HIV and AIDS and Gender and Development.
    
    
24. Summit noted the adverse socio-economic effects of the global economic crisis on the region and underscored the need to take into account various factors and players such as the emerging economies and business community in coming up with remedial measures. In this regard, Summit mandated the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with the Chairperson of SADC to convene an Extra Ordinary Summit on Economic Development.
    
    
25. With regard to the food security situation in the Region, Summit noted that there is overall improvement. In this regard, Summit noted that the region recorded overall increased food production in the current marketing year with cereal surpluses in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia. Summit noted that while food production and availability has improved in the Region, access to food and malnutrition at household level remains a challenge.
    
    
26. Summit urged Member States to scale up the implementation of Dar-Es-Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security and to support the African Food Basket Initiative, which is aimed at the transformation of the African Continent to food self-sufficiency within the next five years. In this regard, Summit mandated the Secretariat to explore how SADC can access resources from the US$22 billion L’aquilla Food Security Initiative pledged by the G8.
    
    
27. Summit reiteratedSADC’s support of the African common negotiating position on the global climate change regime after the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012. Summit noted that this issue will be discussed at the 16th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate change to be held in Cancun, Mexico in November-December 2010.
    
    
28. Summit noted progress made in the implementation of the Maseru Declaration on Combating HIV and AIDS, particularly on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission and the uptake of Anti retroviral therapy. In order to achieve universal access targets and mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on socio-economic development and regional integration, Summit urged Member States to intensify their efforts in implementing the Maseru Declaration on Combating HIV and AIDS. Summit also urged Member States and the international community to support the replenishment of resources to the Global Fund to fight against HIV and AIDS, TB and Malaria.
    
    
29. Summit noted progress made towards the achievement of the 50% representation of women in political and decision making positions at all levels in line with its 2005 decision. Summit noted that the overall situation is generally varied with some SADC Member States to ratify and implement the Protocol on Gender and Development.
    
    
30. Summit urged Member States to support safe motherhood programmes in order to reduce maternal, infant and child mortality in line with the Millennium Goal commitments.
    
    
31. Summit endorsed the Council decision on the establishment of the Regional Poverty Observatory which will facilitate the implementation of the SADC Declaration on Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development.
    
    
32. Summit decided that a review of the role functions and terms of reference of the SADC Tribunal should be undertaken and concluded within 6 months.
    
    
33. Summit celebrated the 30th SADC Anniversary, during which felicitations on this special occasion were delivered on behalf of all the SADC Heads of State and Government by H.E the Vice-President Fernando Dias Dos Santos and H.E. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe.
    
    
34. Delivering the keynote speech on the 30th Anniversary, SADC Chairperson and Host of the 30th SADC Jubilee Summit His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba of the Republic of Namibia and said…
    
    
35. Summit conferred the Sir Seretse Khama SADC Medal to the following notable Statesman of the SADC Region:
    
    a) His Excellency Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, Former President of the Republic of Zambia;
    
    b) His Excellency Dr. Sam Nujoma, Former President of the Republic of Namibia; and
    
    c) Ambassador Brigadier General Hashim Mbita of the United Republic of Tanzania.
    
    
36. Summit appointed Ms. Emilie Ayaza Mushobekwa from the Democratic Republic of Congo as SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration and was sworn in by His Excellency, Ariranga G. Pillay, President of the SADC Tribunal.
    
    
37. Summit also received the Windhoek Declaration for the 2010 SADC First Spouses Summit of the SADC Region that underscored the importance of women’s economic empowerment as a strategy for poverty reduction.
    
    
38. The Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and People of the Republic of Namibia for the warm hospitality extended to all delegates and facilities placed at their disposal that made this Summit a success.
    
    
39. His Excellency Fernando da Piedade Diad dos Santos, Vice President of the Republic of Angola, gave a vote of thanks and on behalf of president Jose Eduardo dos Santos invited all Heads of State and or Government to the Republic of Angola for the next Summit.

WINDHOEK, REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA
AUGUST 17, 2010