SADC-PF converge in Seychelles for executive committee meeting By Patsy Canaya |29 May 2023
President Ramkalawan addressing the gathering
The SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF)met in Seychelles over the weekend for its executive committee meeting at the Eden Bleu Hotel on Eden Island.
The opening ceremony on Saturday morning was in the presence of the head of State, President Wavel Ramkalawan, the vice-president of the SADC-PF, Hon. Joanne Sabrina, the Speakers of the SADC-PF and the SADC-PF executive members.
The fifteen-member countries of the SADC-PF were represented namely, Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Comgo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
When addressing the members and officially opening the meeting, the Speaker of Seychelles’ National Assembly, Roger Mancienne, who is also the President of SADC-PF, told the members that they were meeting post-Covid, a pandemic which had a deep impact on all countries, and it was therefore important to take a closer look at their strategic vision, which is to be the Flag-Bearer of Democratisation and Socio-Economic Development for the SADC Region.
He said he hoped the outcomes of their deliberations will move the Forum closer to the attainment of its vision.
Mr Mancienne reminded the members that some issues on their agenda were long standing, as they have been carried from previous executive committee meetings to plenary sessions and back.
“We continue to pursue the transformation of the Forum into a SADC Regional Parliament. We are obligated to continue our advocacy efforts with our respective governments so that this important process is taken to its completion in the most efficient manner, always keeping in mind the noble objectives for which we seek this transformation. President Ramkalawan is one who has played an important part in this project and I am happy to know that he continues to be engaged with this,” he said.
Mr Mancienne expressed he was happy that the Forum had remained active since their last EXCO meeting and had also engaged in some important activities.
“All these activities go to the core of parliamentarians’ mandate and tend to emphasise and justify the role that parliamentarians play in the governance of our nations. These activities also emphasise the relevance of the Forum as an inter-parliamentary institution of good repute in the community of other similar and like-minded organisations,” he stated.
Mr Mancienne also reminded the members that as the management committee of the organisation, it was their “duty to ensure that the institution operates with excellence as it continues to build the capacity of parliamentarians in the region, while observing the obligations of human rights and good governance, including transparency and accountability”.
He stated that the meeting was but one way they could deliver on this mandate, through oversight of the work being done by the secretariat and by providing guidance where necessary.
He also thanked President Ramkalawan for gracing them with their presence as he was well-acquainted with the work of the SADC-PF, as a long standing former member of the National Assembly.
When addressing the participants, President Ramkalawan highlighted his various involvement with the SADC-PF and commended the members’ contributions.
He assured them that he was fully supportive of the Forum’s work and pledged his commitment for all kinds of support.
President Ramkalawan also called for more exchanges and trade among SADC countries. He stated he was aware that agriculture was on the agenda for the upcoming plenary session and congratulated the members for selecting the theme, which is important for the region.
The president stated that as a small island nation Seychelles faces many challenges and like other countries was concerned with issues such as climate change, food security and challenges in the agricultural sector.
“We believe the theme taken up by the Forum is manifestly relevant to the region and we look forward to the resolutions of the assembly and its recommendations on how to address agricultural challenges in the 21st century, how to mobilise the sector and to make it gender sensitive and resilient to climate disasters,” said the president.
He mentioned that the disruption in trade due to the war in Ukraine had shown how vulnerable the region is as it continues to depend on distant sources for food.
“It is time we launch the drive for greater self-sufficiency for the region,” stated the president, adding his government was committed towards this cause.
Saturday’s meeting started with the adoption of the agenda, followed by the approval of Minutes and Matters Arising.
Members were presented with the Report of the President which sets out the main initiatives taken by the Forum since their last meeting in January this year, and highlighted the areas which were given priority, which included the need for a robust corporate governance of the Forum, respect for core values of the organisation as well as to focus on resource mobilisation to advance programmes.
It should be noted that last weekend’s meeting was also to prepare for their plenary session in Tanzania in July.
Patsy Canaya
Photos by Louis Toussaint
