Members for Seychelles' re-entry into SADC |04 September 2006

However, since Seychelles has a population of under 500,000, it has been agreed that the SADC secretariat and Seychelles should engage in further consultations to devise modalities and come up with a proposal pertaining to Seychelles' annual contribution to the SADC budget, which is to be tabled at the next summit of the regional body.

These developments came to light during the 26th SADC Summit, held from August 17 - 18, 2006 in Maseru, Lesotho.

Seychelles was represented at the meeting by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Patrick Pillay.

During the Summit, H.E Mr Pakalitha Mossili, Prime Minister of Lesotho, assumed the post of the chair of SADC. H.E Mr Mrisho KIKWETE, President of Tanzania, is the new chairperson for the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security.

According to a communique from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Summit provided a good forum for exchange of ideas and experiences between government leaders of SADC member states on issues affecting regional integration, sustainable development, promotion and defence of peace and security, poverty alleviation, fight against endemic diseases such as HIV/Aids and human resources development in Southern Africa.

Continental integration, the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad), the establishment of a regional free market area by 2008, the preparation for a SADC Customs Union by 2010 and a monetary union with one single currency by 2016 were among other issues discussed at the Summit, the communique adds.

Other highlights were member countries' contributions and the construction of the organisation’s building in Gaborone (Botswana) and the reports from the SADC’s political defence and cooperation organ and from the outgoing chairperson, Botswana President Festus Mogae. 

Seychelles joined SADC in September 1997 and temporarily ceased membership in July 2004.