The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum has made a courtesy visit to President of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.
The delegation sought to persuade Botswana to endorse an amendment to the SADC Treaty that would see the transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a fully operational SADC Parliament.
Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of Zimbabwe’s National Assembly and head of the delegation, presented the proposal for the creation of the SADC Parliament as a vital institution within the SADC framework, as outlined in Article 9(1) of the Treaty.
Advocate Mudenda highlighted that this transformation is essential for promoting deeper regional integration and cooperation through active parliamentary involvement.
“This proposal is intended to enhance the role of parliaments and their members within the SADC Region, providing a structured platform for their contributions to regional integration,” Advocate Mudenda stated.
“Establishing a SADC Parliament will ensure that the voices of the citizens, represented by their elected officials, play a central role in shaping regional policies,” added mudenda.
The delegation, which included the Speakers of the National Assemblies of Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia, along with representatives for the Speakers of Angola and Namibia, stressed the importance of Botswana’s backing for this initiative.
The proposed transition to a parliament is viewed as a crucial step towards bolstering democratic governance and ensuring that regional decision-making processes are more inclusive and reflective of the diverse populations within SADC.
In response, President Masisi recognised the significance of the proposed amendment and the potential advantages of establishing a SADC Parliament.
“Botswana acknowledges the important role that a SADC Parliament could play in advancing our regional goals. We will carefully review the proposals and maintain dialogue with our regional counterparts,” President Masisi remarked.
This visit represents a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to strengthen the SADC Parliamentary Forum’s position within the region.
It is anticipated that Botswana’s support could encourage other member states to follow suit, thereby advancing the future of regional parliamentary cooperation across Southern Africa.
Photo credit: BGCIS
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