Maputo — The executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Prega Ramsamy, on Wednesday praised Mozambique for its efforts in restructuring and centralising the organization.

Speaking after a meeting with Mozambican Prime Minister Luisa Diogo during a courtesy visit to the country, Ramsamy said that the areas under the control of Mozambique, namely Transport and Communications, Culture, Information, and Sports, had contributed greatly to consolidating SADC.

"We feel the need to express the gratitude of SADC member countries for the role that Mozambique played, and is still playing, in the building of SADC", said Ramsamy.

He said that in his meeting with Diogo they discussed a number of issues related to the organization's activities, including the 15 year plan, launched by Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa in Arusha on 12 March.

The plan is to try and minimise, by 2020, the effects of such ills as absolute poverty, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, ensure access to education and drinking water for all SADC citizens, and guarantee food security in the region.

Ramsamy explained that the plan also caters for the creation of a free market within SADC, that is to enhance trade and allow the free circulation of people and goods.

Commenting on the sporadic skirmishes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ramsamy expressed fear that the situation may worsen, because the peace process there is not yet consolidated. However, he said that the SADC Defense and Security organ has been working to bring the situation under control. Ramsamy also transmitted to Mozambique's Minister of Youth and Sport, Joel Libombo, assurances that all SADC countries will take part in the Zone VI African Games due to be held in Maputo from 24 April to 2 May.

This guarantee even included Seychelles, a country which has announced that it is leaving SADC.