18 August 2011
13.45p.m
COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 31ST SADC HEADS OF STATE AND
GOVERNMENT SUMMIT
The 31st Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) was held in Luanda, Republic of Angola from August
17 to 18, 2011.
Summit was officially opened by the SADC Chairperson, His Excellency Dr.
Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia.
Summit elected His Excellency Eng. José Eduardo dos Santos, the President of
the Republic of Angola and His Excellency Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of
the Republic of Mozambique as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of SADC,
respectively.
Summit also elected His Excellency President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma,
President of the Republic of South Africa and His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho
Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania as Chairperson and Deputy
Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation,
respectively.
The Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government and/
or their representatives:
Angola : H.E. President José Eduardo dos
Santos
DRC : H.E. President Joseph Kabila Kabange
Lesotho : The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Dr.
Pakalitha Mosisili
Mozambique : H.E. President Armando Emílio
Guebuza
Namibia : H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba
South Africa : H.E. President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa
Zuma
Swaziland : His Majesty King Mswati III
Zimbabwe : H.E. President Robert Gabriel
Mugabe
Botswana : His Honour Lt General Mompati Sebogodi
Merafhe, Vice President
United Republic of Tanzania : H.E. Dr. Mohammed
Gharib Bilal, Vice President
Zambia : His Honour George Kunda, SC, Vice
President
Malawi : Hon. Professor Eta Banda, Minister of
Foreign Affairs
Mauritius : Dr. The Honourable Arvin Boolell,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade
Seychelles : Hon. Peter Sinon, Minister of
Investment, Natural Resources and Industry
Summit was also attended by His Excellency Mr Festus Gontebanye Mogae, former
President of the Republic of Botswana and Chairperson of the Champions for an
HIV Free Generation. He urged SADC leaders to continue championing social
changes and intensifying the provision of services needed to achieve an HIV Free
Generation and the target of no new infections in the region by 2015.
In attendance were also the following: His Excellency Mr. Jean Ping,
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, Chief Executive
of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, His Excellency Sindiso Ngwenya,
Secretary General of COMESA and His Excellency Dumisani Mahlinza, Deputy
Executive Secretary of SACU.
His Excellency President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of the Republic of Angola
and host of the 31st Summit welcomed the SADC Heads of State and Government and
all the delegates to the Republic of Angola. His Excellency outlined the
achievements recorded by the Region and urged Member States to elevate SADC to a
new level of regional integration with a special focus on infrastructure
development to accelerate investment and trade in the region.
In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the Outgoing
Chairperson, His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba of the Republic of
Namibia thanked Member States for the support rendered to him during his tenure
of office. He indicated that significant strides have been made in all the key
areas of the SADC Programme of Action particularly consolidation of the Free
Trade Area, Infrastructure Development, Food Security, combating HIV and AIDS
and Gender and Development.
In accepting the SADC Chairpersonship, His Excellency President Jose Eduardo
dos Santos thanked the Outgoing Chairperson for the progress achieved during his
tenure of office and expressed Angola´s commitment to play its part during its
Chairpersonship.
Summit also received a statement from the Chairperson of the African Union
Commission, His Excellency, Mr Jean Ping. He commended the SADC Region for its
key strategic initiatives in its integration agenda and its commitment to
continental integration as reflected in the launching of the negotiations for
the Tripartite Free Trade area between COMESA-EAC-SADC.
The Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomao delivered a
statement highlighting progress made in the implementation of programmes in the
main areas of regional integration in SADC. The Executive Secretary also
referred to the institutional reforms aimed at enhancing capacity and efficiency
of the Secretariat.
Summit also received the Report from the Outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on
Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, the President of the Republic of
Zambia His Excellency Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda. Summit noted that the region
continued to be characterised by democracy peace and security. The Report
highlighted the following:
- On Lesotho, Summit commended the Christian Council of
Lesotho as Mediator and the SADC Facilitation Team for successful completion of
the Political mediation process in the Kingdom of Lesotho and the stakeholders
for their commitment to the completion of the dialogue process.
- On Madagascar, Summit reaffirmed its commitment to
supporting the mediation process in Madagascar. Summit mandated the Organ Troika
assisted by the Mediator on Madagascar to engage the Stakeholders to fully
implement the roadmap as amended by the decision taken by the Summit in June
2011 as a matter of urgency, with a view to find a lasting solution in
Madagascar.
- On Zimbabwe, Summit took note of progress in the
implementation of its decisions taken during the Extra Ordinary Summit in June,
2011. Summit urged the parties to Global Political Agreement to remain committed
to the implementation of the Agreement and finalise the Roadmap for resolving
outstanding issues. Summit re-affirmed its decision of the Sandton
Extra-Ordinary Summit and urged the Troika of the Organ to appoint a team of
officials to join the facilitation team and work with the JOMIC to ensure
monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the GPA. The Troika shall develop
the terms of reference, time frames and provide regular progress reports. Summit
will review progress on the implementation of GPA and take appropriate
action.
Summit wished the DRC, Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of Zambia
peaceful, free and fair elections to be held during the 2011/12 calendar and
urged all stakeholders to adhere to the SADC principles and guidelines governing
democratic elections. Summit also noted progress made by DRC, Lesotho and Zambia
in preparation for the national elections to take place before the next
Summit.
On consolidation democracy in the region, Summit noted that the Republic of
Seychelles held elections from 19 – 21 May 2011 and congratulated H.E. James
Michel for his re-election and Parti Lepep for winning the presidential
elections. Summit congratulated the people of the Republic of Seychelles for
exercising their rightful practice in a peaceful and exemplary manner.
Summit reviewed the socio-economic situation in the region and noted
improvements in the macro-economic performance indicators, such as growth in
real average Gross Domestic Product which stood at 4.9 per cent compared to 2.4
per cent in 2009, investments which improved from 22 per cent of the GDP 2009 to
24.9 of GDP in 2010 as well as a decline in inflation from 12.4 per cent in 2009
to 7.5 per cent in 2010. Summit, however, noted that the region should remain
alert to the risks posed by financial and economic volatilities in the developed
economies. Summit mandated the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic
Integration to deepen the debate on how to protect the SADC economies from
external shocks and to restructure the regional economies in order to combat
poverty.
Summit reviewed the status of implementation of the infrastructure programme
for the region, especially power projects, regional corridors and Information
and Communication Technology, which include the Kazungula Bridge, the Chirundu
One Stop Border Post, the Zimbabwe-Zambia-Botswana-Namibia Inter-connector and
the EASSy Projects. Summit underscored the role of infrastructure in regional
integration and urged the speedy conclusion of Infrastructure Master Plan.
On Gender and Development, Summit noted the progress made by Member States in
ensuring equal representation of women in political and decision-making
positions. Summit urged Member States to develop innovative strategies towards
the achievement of the gender parity goal.
Summit noted progress made on the regional food security situation in
particular, in cereal and non-cereal and livestock production. Summit urged
Member States to intensify measures to increase production, diversify and
promote income generating opportunities in order to improve access to food in
line with the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security of
2004.
Summit noted progress made in the implementation of the Maseru Declaration on
combating HIV and AIDS of 2003, in particular in the key focus areas of
prevention, treatment, care and support. The region has recorded a significant
decline in new infections since 2009. Summit urged Member States to continue to
provide human and financial resources at both national and regional levels to
sustain these positive trends.
Summit noted progress made in consolidating the SADC Free Trade Area and
commended Seychelles for having taken steps to join the FTA. Summit directed the
Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration to expedite work leading
to agreement and common understanding on the roadmap for the SADC Customs
Union.
Summit took note and underscored the importance and relevance of the
COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Grand Free Trade Area Negotiations launched in June
2011 and urged Member States to consult, adequately prepare and accelerate the
negotiations. Summit underscored the importance of infrastructure development in
the regional integration agenda.
Summit directed the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration
to engage in strategic discussions within the context of the review of the
Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan to identify priorities and
reorient the SADC integration agenda accordingly, with a view to enhancing
developmental integration.
Summit noted that the next negotiations on the 17th Conference of Parties of
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 17) and
the 7th Meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol will take place from 28
November to 9 December 2011 in Durban, South Africa. Summit underscored the
importance of the multilateral dialogue in addressing challenges posed by
climate change. Summit urged SADC Member States to support the African common
position. Summit pledged its support to South Africa in hosting the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP 17.
Summit took note of the progress report presented by the Committee of
Ministers of Justice/Attorneys General on the Tribunal and other legal issues,
and directed the Committee to remain seized with the task and report back to the
next Ordinary Summit.
Summit noted with deep concern the evolving famine situation in Somalia
caused by internal strife and drought conditions in the Horn of Africa and noted
that this has resulted in a severe humanitarian disaster affecting over 12
million people, including 1.5 million internally displaced people requiring
food, water, medical, clothing and shelter supplies and provisions. Summit
adopted a declaration expressing solidarity with the People and Government of
Somalia and pledged to provide urgent humanitarian assistance.
Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of the
Republic of Angola for the warm hospitality extended to all delegates and
facilities provided.
His Excellency President Jose Eduardo dos Santos officially closed the
Summit. The 32nd Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government will be held
in Mozambique in 2012.
Luanda, Republic of Angola
August 18, 2011
Attachments:
http://www.sadc.int/english/current-affairs/news/communique-of-the-31st-sadc-heads-of-state-and-government-summit/