The Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) His Excellency Mr. Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo has called for renewed and dedicated efforts towards deepening regional integration and the attainment of sustainable development.
H.E. Tshisekedi Tshilombo made the call on 10th May 2023 during his Official Visit to the SADC Secretariat to appreciate the work done by the Secretariat in facilitating the SADC regional integration agenda and to provide guidance on the Secretariat’s implementation of SADC Programmes.
H.E. Tshisekedi Tshilombo highlighted that, since its formation, SADC has made great strides and will continue to be relevant for a long time to come as an essential vehicle for promoting regional integration, economic and social-political development. On this note, H.E. President Tshisekedi Tshilombo cited as a huge milestone, the signing of over 33 protocols which provide a framework of cooperating in a wide range of sectors including agriculture, food security and natural resources, infrastructure, industrial development, trade, investment and finance, social and human development, and peace and security.
The SADC Chairperson highlighted the enormous potential of the region for trade, investment and economic growth. He said, “As a united Community with 16 Member States, with a combined GDP of about US$720 billion, and a combined population of over 360 million people, of which 74.6 are youths, we have a huge market for investment and economic development”.
He added that the SADC region’s strong legal and policy frameworks which include the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030; SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063); SADC Regional Agricultural Policy; and SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP), coupled with abundant natural resources including minerals, present a conducive environment for trade and investment opportunities to thrive.
The SADC Chairperson called on the region to remain united against threats to peace and security which threaten SADC’s efforts for integration, development and prosperity. In this regard, the Chairperson recognised the dedication and leadership of His Excellency Dr Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation for convening SADC Organ Troika Summit in Windhoek on 8th May, 2023, dedicated to address the security situation in the eastern DRC and for continuing to play a crucial role in ensuring that the region remains peaceful and stable.
He thanked the Secretariat staff for their dedication to address the contemporary challenges that the SADC region faces and underscored the need for a strong SADC Secretariat that will deliver on the Region’s collective aspiration of a peaceful, middle to high income industrialised region, where all citizens enjoy sustainable economic well-being, justice, and freedom as envisioned in the SADC Vision 2050.
In welcoming the SADC Chairperson, the Executive Secretary of SADC, His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi expressed gratitude to the SADC Chairperson for visiting the Secretariat, and added that the visit enabled Staff at the Secretariat to benefit from the President’s wisdom in dealing with matters of economic integration, politics, peace and security, for the benefit of SADC citizens.
On the current SADC Summit Theme of “Promoting industrialization through agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, and regional value chains for inclusive and resilient economic growth”, H.E. Magosi said the region remains focused on industrialisation and that the Secretariat is supporting Member States to promote and develop identified value chains, namely agro-processing, minerals beneficiation, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, capital goods and services, in an effort to strengthen and leverage optimal benefits for both regional and global value chains.
H.E. Magosi informed the SADC Chairperson that, as part of the implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030) and the attainment of the SADC Vision 2050, the Secretariat has rationalised and reprioritised programmes and projects to focus more on critical and impactful interventions to the SADC Region.
The Executive Secretary presented a letter of condolence to H.E. President Tshisekedi for the loss of lives, in excess of 400 people, following torrential rains and landslides experienced in the South Kivu Province in the past week. He further informed the President that the Secretariat is working with the Civil Protection Unit of the DRC to identify the extent of the impacts of natural disasters with the view to determine how best to assist those that are affected.
During the Visit to the Secretariat, the Chairperson was briefed on the overall Status of SADC Regional Integration, status of implementation of SADC Programmes and SADC regional priorities as derived from the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RIDSP) 2020-2030 and Vision 2050. The SADC Chairperson also conducted on a tour of the SADC Library collection.
Some of the senior officials who graced the Visit of the SADC Chairperson included H.E. Mr. Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen'Apala, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DRC, H.E. Mr. Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi, Minister of Regional Integration and Francophonie of the DRC and Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers; Hon. Dr. Lemogang Kwape, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Botswana; H.E. Mrs. Emilie Ayaza Mushobekwa, Ambassador of the DRC to Botswana and Ambassadors and High Commissioners of SADC Member States accredited to the Republic of Botswana and SADC.
