18 August 2007
PRESIDENT Mwanawasa has disclosed that the Seychelles has been re-admitted to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bringing the total number of member states to 15.
Mr Mwanawasa said in Lusaka last night during the post 27th SADC summit media briefing that the heads of State and Government for grouping decided to re-admit Seychelles during their deliberations in Lusaka.
The President disclosed that the summit received the report from the outgoing chairperson of the organ, highlighting among others the implementation of Strategic Indicative Plan of the Organ (SIPO).
He said requisite human resources for its implementation had been recruited at the secretariat and effective dispute and potential conflict resolution mechanisms were in place.
"As regards the consolidation of democracy and political stability in the region, the report notes that the elections held in four SADC States where SADC observer missions were present were pronounced peaceful, credible, free and fair, transparent and professionally managed," he said.
Concerning the region's defence and security matters, the report highlighted amongst others the inauguration of the SADC brigade launched yesterday at the City Airport.
Overall, the report of the chairperson of the organ pointed to a politically stable and peaceful region, which is also prepared to handle any challenges that might come its way.
On status of member State contributions, Mr Mwanawasa said all members had remitted such towards the expected US$18,907,693 SADC budget for the 2007-08 fiscal years.
An outstanding balance of US$3,246,947 was expected from the remaining four member States of which US$1,369,190 constituted arrears from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) accumulated over the past two years.
With the exception of DRC whose US$500,000 pledge was yet to be remitted, all SADC member States have remitted their pledges towards the new SADC headquarters totalling US$6,000,000.
"You may wish to know, we have established the SADC HIV/AIDS fund. Towards this fund, a total of US$526,427 has been received from six member States that have remitted their pledges.
"One was yet to remit its pledge while the remaining seven are still to pledge and remit their contributions," he said.
In view of the available resource envelop from member States, a prioritisation and planning workshop was held from August 6-8, 2007 to focus on targeting resources to critical programmes so as to avoid spreading resources thinly.
Areas requiring harmonisation of national policies to deepen regional integration and enable the creation of a common market and monitory areas of three issues were identified.
They included trade or economic liberation and development through the free movement of goods, services and factors of production; stability oriented macro-economic convergence; intra-regional investment and foreign direct investment and productive competitiveness and supply side capacity.
Regional infrastructure development and consolidation of a climate of regional sustainable peace and security in and among States which are characterised by transparent and accountable governance was another area.
In line with SADC priorities, Mr Mwanawasa said the summit held a brain-storming session on infrastructure development. "You will agree with me that, as we move closer to deeper regional integration level, suitable infrastructure and services have become an urgent need.
"We have thus deliberated measures to enhance financing of regional infrastructure to support the Free Trade Area (FTA), Customs Union and common market," Mr Mwanawasa said.
He challenged journalists to uphold morals if they were to remain true watchdogs over others.
"I do not envy you as that implies that you have to live exceptionally flawless lives because there is no rationale behind watching over others if you are not better than them, lest you find yourself throwing stones when you are also living in a glass house," Mr Mwanawasa said.
He said the bottom line was that the region was like a boat carrying everyone and as such everybody needed to row and make sure the boat did not sink but remained afloat because if it sank, all on board would perish.
On chairpersons and deputy, Zambia which has assumed the chair and would be deputised by South Africa, while Tanzania handed over the chairmanship of the organ on politics defence and security cooperation to Angola with Swaziland being the deputy.
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