Permanent Representation of SADC to the African Union

The mandate of the Permanent Representation of SADC to the African Union is to enhance and strengthen regional capacity to successfully facilitate continental integration through peace, security, stability and sustainable development as envisaged in the Agenda 2063 and other African Union legal and policy frameworks and to also enhance the liaison between the SADC Secretariat and AUC in line with SADC’s Vision 2050 and its RISDP 2020-30. Located in Addis Ababa, the Permanent Representation of SADC to the African Union  is the focal point for SADC within AU with focus on programmes on inter-regional and continental integration and a conduit for the implementation of SADC’s priority areas of work comprising Peace and Security and other regional integration matters, such as Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment, Infrastructure and Services, Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources; Social and Human Development, and Cross–cutting issues of Gender and Development; Science and Technology Information and Communications Technologies and Environment and Sustainable Development.

As part of its main outcome which is “Increased alignment SADC programmes with the continental and global integration and development agenda”, the SADC Office at the AUC, therefore, has the responsibility of achieving the following:

(i) Present the SADC positions/strategies/initiatives on regional and continental issues and major conclusions communicated to the Secretariat (Increased alignment of SADC programmes with the continental and global integration and development agenda);to AUC, ICPs, think tanks, Embassies and on other platforms/Institutions 

(ii) Update the SADC Secretariat on continental agenda and major AU/MYCM Conferences/Summits. Communicate continental agenda and progress at major SADC Conferences/Summits including MCO, DSC, Organ Management, Quarterly meetings; Prepare monthly reports and provide input into the Secretariat briefs & Attend Major SADC Meetings/Conferences);

(iii) Produce Implementation Reports in line with the AULO mandate and the Secretariat Reporting System.

With the recent signature and adoption of the revised Protocol of 2008 on the Relations between the African Union and Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms, the SADC Office at the AUC is known as the Permanent Representation of SADC to the African Union.