Southern Africa today
SADC ToDAy Vol 23 No. 1 DeCember 2020
frica today A uNE 2020 O. 4 J VOl 22 N Southern SADC TODAy
sponse OVID-19 re C arity SADC solid
pealed to Member States to remain vigilant and address the socio-economic impact of the pandemic has reinforced the THE COVID-19 virus as a united region. resolve by SADC Member States to strengthen The Council urged SADC Member States the response mechanisms at both the Member to source medical equipment and supplies State and the regional levels for disaster risk from within the region and to engage private reduction and management. sector to re-direct some of the manufacturing At its virtual meeting held on 29 May, the towards production of Personal Protective SADC Council of Ministers urged Member Equipment (PPEs), to facilitate the regional States to accelerate the operationalisation and response to COVID-19. implementation of regional strategies and in- For this purpose, the SADC Secretariat struments aimed at responding to crises. will disseminate a list of the manufacturers The Chairperson of the Council of Minis- of essential medical equipment and supplies ters, Hon. Prof. Palamagamba John Kabudi, needed to address COVID-19 and will estab- who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the lish an online platform to facilitate easy ac- United Republic of Tanzania, called for the cess to information about the manufacturers 3 strengthening of solidarity and unity to ad- and suppliers. Y POLIC 4 dress the socio-economic impact of the pan- Council received the preliminary report GE KNOWLED demic in the region. on the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 DIGENOUS IN 5 Prof. Kabudi called on the SADC region to and its implications for the region, and noted ONMENT that the pandemic will have short, medium ENVIR 6 transform the COVID-19 crisis into an oppor- tunity by expanding the medical and pharma- and long-term negative impact on all social ERSITY BIODIV 7 ceutical industry, which in turn would create and economic sectors, given its crosscutting SERVATION NTIER CON nature. TRANSFRO jobs and boost the economy. 8-9 “It must be noted that COVID-19 is likely The Joint Meeting of SADC Ministers re- RGY ENE 10 to remain with us for a considerable period of sponsible for Agriculture and Food Security, time,” the SADC Executive Secretary, Dr Ster- Fisheries and Aquaculture held virtually on NDER GE 11 gomena Tax said in her address to Council. 22 May noted that COVID-19 would lead to DE a decline in the nutrition status of the vulner- TRA 12 “We therefore, need to understand it, and learn how to live with it by putting in place able population due to inadequate access to TIONS ELEC 13 the needed preventive and curative mea- food, increase in household food insecurity, SECURITY inadequate access to health, nutrition and PEACE AND sures.” 14 Dr Tax said the COVID-19 pandemic has water, sanitation and hygienecontinued services. on page 2... ITAGE HER 15 brought multiple challenges and responsibili- ties that require extra-ordinary and innovative ENTS EV 16 approaches to doing business, and she ap- DAY HISTORY TO
Southern Africa today SADC T oDAy Vol 22 No. 5 AuguST 2020
“SADC – 40 Years Building Peace and Security, Promoting Development and Resilience to Face Global Challenges”
SADC holds first virtual Summit
by Kizito Sikuka
THE 40TH SADC Summit scheduled for Ma- puto, Mozambique in August will for the first This article looks at some of the major issues time in history be held in a virtual format. to be discussed by the 40th SADC Summit. This is due to health measures and travel Coordinated respo restrictions imposed by most Member States nse to COVID-19 pandemic in response to the novel coronavirus that Extraordinary times call for extraordinary mea- causes the disease commonly known as sures. Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). As such, one of the priorities at Summit Described as the most serious health emer- will be how SADC Member States can com- gency in generations by the World Health Or- bat the coronavirus which has not only dis- ganisation, the pandemic has affected the rupted the implementation of various POLICY 3 global socio-economic landscape and resulted regional activities and projects, but also in the loss of many lives. caused the loss of lives. SADC FOUNDERS 4 In response to safety measures, the 2020 In this regard, the Summit is expected to SADC Summit will be coordinated from explore ways on how Member States could invest more resources in strengthening their GENDER 5 Mozambique with other Heads of State and Government linking up via Video Conferenc- public health systems, and implement mea- sures to curtail the spread of the virus. AGRICULTURE 6-7 ing Technology from their various capitals. The fact that the region has managed to For example, Member States that are be- ginning to reopen their economies as well as SADC@40 8-9 convene the 40th SADC Summit in a virtual format is commendable, and a demonstration air travel and land borders should observe of SADC’s ability to move in unison and con- and enforce strict anti-coronavirus standards TRADE 10-11 quer challenges no matter the magnitude of a such as social distancing at workplaces, reg- challenge. ular health screenings and wearing of masks PEACE & SECURITY 12-13 at all times. Running under the theme “SADC: 40 Years Building Peace and Security, Promoting Develop- It is also critical for countries to put in place CLIMA TE CHANGE 14 ment and Resilience to Face Global Challenges” vibrant social protection measures to cushion the virtual summit will be held under a re-, the population from the effects of loss of in- EVENTS 15 duced agenda to allow the leaders to focus on come, particularly due to the economic lock- the critical issues in the region. down imposed by a number of countries in response to the pandemic. HISTORY TODAY 16 2020 in Retrospect continued on page 2... …the year SADC showed resilience, solidarity, courage against COVID-19
by Kizito Sikuka Another important intervention was the development of Regional Guidelines on THe yeAr 2020 may go down in history as Harmonization and Facilitation of Cross the year when the “earth stood still” after the Border Transport Operations to facilitate the world was hit by the Coronavirus 2019 movement of essential goods and services (COVID-19) at the end of the pervious year, during the lockdowns. forcing many countries including SADC The guidelines were approved in June Member States to impose socio-economic and seek to balance, realign, harmonise and lockdowns and other restrictions. coordinate the response measures for While the lockdowns helped to ease and COVID-19 with the requirements for trade contain the spread of the virus, the impact and transport facilitation, including the on the economy was severe and the spread promotion of safe transport and trade for of the virus resulted in the loss of many lives. economic growth and poverty alleviation. However, SADC Member States showed This resilience shown by SADC Member POLICY 3 resilience, solidarity and courage to States in 2020 was not confined to the ENERGY 4 overcome this new challenge to regional containment of COVID-19 but extended to development and integration. other sectors such as industrialization and GENDER 5 SADC approved a variety of measures trade, peace and security. AGRICULTURE 6 including the strengthening of public health On its long-term development agenda, CLIMATE CHANGE 7 and humanitarian support systems to SADC leaders approved the SADC Vision contain the spread of the COVID-19. 2050, which sets out the aspirations of the SADC EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT 8-9 Most SADC Member States channelled region until 2050, and the Regional COVID-19 10 some of their resources to affected key Indicative Strategic Development Plan economic sectors such as tourism, aviation (RISDP 2020-30). COOPERATION 11 and manufacturing to cushion the Both documents were approved by the PEACE & SECURITY 12-13 debilitating effects of the pandemic and 40th SADC Summit held virtually on 17 ELECTIONS 14 ensure that they maintain their August and coordinated from Maputo, competitiveness. Mozambique. EVENTS 15
HISTORY TODAY 16 continued on page 2... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
The SADC Vision 2050 is He also convened a regional based on a firm foundation of meeting in May to discuss the se- peace, security and good gover- curity situation in northern nance, with three priority pillars Mozambique, and a second of industrial development and meeting convened in November market integration; infrastructure by the current Chairperson of the development in support of re- Organ, President Mokgweetsi gional integration; and social and Masisi of Botswana, agreed to de- human capital development. velop a comprehensive regional In a departure from the previ- response to the situation in which ous regional strategic plans, the an armed insurgency has caused RISDP 2020-30 incorporates the violent deaths and destruction. Strategic Indicative Plan for the SADC Member States contin- On 25 October, SADC Mem- To improve the management Organ on Politics, Defence, and ued to monitor the security situ- ber States once again showed of water, energy and food is- Security Cooperation (SIPO) ation in northern Mozambique solidarity with Zimbabwe in sues, SADC Ministers responsi- rather than a separate strategic and discussed this further at a opposing the imposition of eco- ble for Energy and Water plan. Double Troika meeting in early nomic sanctions on the country approved the Water-Energy- In support of trade and mar- December, hosted in Maputo by by the US Congress. SADC Food (WEF) Nexus Framework ket integration, SADC continued the current SADC Chairperson, leaders said the illegal sanctions which highlights the interde- to register positive results in the President Filipe Nyusi. have not only affected the peo- pendencies between achieving financial sector, including the Three SADC Member States ple of Zimbabwe but the entire water, energy, and food security SADC Real Time Gross Settle- held national elections this year, region. for human wellbeing while en- ment System (RTGS) payment in conformity with SADC guide- Zimbabwe has grappled suring ecologically sustainable system. lines. These are Malawi, Sey- with economic and banking use of essential resources. By the end of June 2020, more chelles and United Republic of sanctions since 2002 when the SADC also remained seized than 1.8 million transactions had Tanzania United States and its allies im- with the implementation of var- been settled via the RTGS, repre- With respect to history and posed an embargo on the coun- ious regional programmes and senting ZAR 7.17 trillion. heritage, the 40th SADC Summit try in response to the land initiatives such as the SADC In- Launched in October 2018, the approved the Mechanism to reform programme and the dustrialization Strategy and SADC RTGS has enabled Mem- Honour the Founders of SADC. leading role played by Zim- Roadmap, and the Regional In- ber States to settle payments The mechanism is expected to babwe in the SADC interven- frastructure Development Mas- among themselves in real-time encourage continuing apprecia- tion in the DRC in 1998 in ter Plan (RIDMP). compared to previously when it tion and acknowledgment of the support of the government. At the continental level, used to take several days for vision and actions of the leaders With respect to the environ- SADC was engaged in negotiat- banks to process cross-border who established SADC, formerly ment, the second half of the ing with other African countries transactions. the Southern African Develop- 2019/20 rainy season brought to ensure the success of the This system has resulted in re- ment Coordination Conference relief to most parts of southern African Continental Free Trade duced transaction costs as it re- (SADCC) in 1980. Africa, with increased water Area (AfCFTA). moves the need for SADC has conducted a re- flows recorded in the major Set to be operational on 1 Jan- correspondent banks. gional review of the history cur- gauging station at the Victoria uary 2021, the AfCFTA aims to With regard to politics, de- riculum this year, initiated by Falls along the Zambezi River. boost intra-Africa trade by pro- fence and security cooperation, Ministers of Education, to facili- The increased water flow at moting the smooth movement of SADC stood firm in its efforts to tate the inclusion of this history Victoria Falls was the highest goods across the continent consolidate peace and security in and its regional dimensions. since 1958 when the flow through improved infrastructure southern Africa. The year 2020 was also a sad reached 10,000 cubic metres per development, investment flows The Chairperson of the one as SADC lost one of its gal- second during the construction and enhanced competition. SADC Organ on Politics De- lant sons and passionate sup- of the Kariba Dam. The year 2020 was also a spe- fence and Security Cooperation porters – Benjamin William The Victoria Falls on the Zam- cial year for SADC as the region in the first part of the year, Mkapa, the former President of bia-Zimbabwe border is one of celebrated its 40 years of President Emmerson Mnan- the United Republic of Tanzania. the world’s natural wonders, and achievements, with some im- gagwa of Zimbabwe was in- Mkapa was passionate about an improvement in water flow is pressive milestones in regional strumental in brokering a deal the economic and political inte- a big boost for the tourism sector, economic development and in- that saw the DRC and Zambia gration of the SADC region and as it brings an extra attraction for tegration. commit to amicably resolve is credited with the launch of the visitors to the falls to watch the To celebrate its achieve- their border dispute. first RISDP. thundering wall of falling water ments, SADC commissioned a at full length. publication to document its re- On energy development, gional integration journey. SADC Energy Ministers in SADC@40: The Southern African November approved an agree- Development Community 1980- ment amending a regional legal 2020, which was compiled by instrument that promotes the the Southern African Research harmonious development of na- and Documentation Centre tional energy policies for the bal- (SARDC) in collaboration with anced development of the sector the SADC Secretariat, is ex- President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana took over the chairperson of the SADC Organ on r Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation from President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe. throughout the SADC region. pected to be launched in 2021.
2 SouTHerN AfriCA Today, December 2020 POLICY
Development of RSAP V on course miNiSTerS reSPoNSible water sector and implement- centres. This will involve con- to promote implementation of for water have directed the ing partners. sidering desalinated sea water the WEF nexus frameworks SADC Secretariat to finalise the The consultant started work as a resource that can also be and tools already developed process of developing the next on the formulation of the RSAP transferred across the region, by SADC. phase of the regional action V in July. considering that in some cases There are, however, emerg- plan for the water sector. A number of proposals are the cost of such water reclama- ing nexus arrangements that The SADC water pro- being considered in the formu- tion is less than of freshwater will need to be linked to the gramme is driven by the Re- lation of the action. development. WEF nexus moving towards gional Strategic Action Plan With respect to climate re- It is also proposed that implementation. (RSAP) for integrated water re- silience, it is envisaged that this RSAP V will pursue identifica- For example, linking the sources development and man- will entail activities towards tion of newer models of water Health dimension may be re- agement. development of water infras- financing, and pilot the appli- quired to better respond to To date, the region has im- tructure such as dams to guar- cation of such proposed solu- Covid-19 and other hygiene- plemement four phases of the antee water availability for tions. related challenges. action plan since 1999. irrigation, hydropower and It is also envisioned that the It is also proposed that The first phase, RSAP I, potable water supply, as well next phase of RSAP will in- RSAP V should seek to pro- was implemented over the pe- as the development of water volve the joint management mote more private sector and riod 1999-2004 and its main management strategies to im- and utilisation of transbound- non-state actor players partici- focus was to create and estab- prove assurance of water sup- ary surface and ground waters. pation in water governance, as lish an enabling environment ply under the environment of This will seek to increase the well as increased gender con- for the integrated manage- drought and hydrological fluc- joint management, governance sideration and youth involve- ment of water resources in the tuations arising from the im- and utilisation of surface and ment. region. pact of climate change and ground waters. The thinking here is that RSAP II ran from 2005-2010 variability. It is proposed that RSAP V sustainable water manage- and focused on water develop- The strategies will also seek will aim to have special pro- ment requires increasing lev- ment through specific projects, to increase resilience of the re- grammes to ensure the water els of participation by while RSAP III (2011-2015) pri- gional water sector against security of Island States. traditionally sidelined stake- oritised the three strategic flood disasters. This theme recognises that holders such as the private areas of water governance, in- With regard to the theme on the region’s Island States may sector, non-state actors, youth frastructure development and creating a regional water pool, not benefit in all activities of and women. water management. the proposal is to put in place the mainland SADC in the The action plan is also ex- RSAP IV is the latest five- strategies towards strengthen- sector, especially from activi- pected to promote activities year programme that has been ing the shift from only viewing ties related to strengthening that seek to accelerate recovery implemented since 2016 and is water as a national or trans- transboundary water cooper- from the impacts of the expected to come to an end in boundary water resource, but ation. COVID-19 pandemic and in- December 2020. RSAP IV iden- also as a regional resource. Yet the Oceanic States crease resilience against future tifies 32 regional water projects This will be realised equally have pressing water disasters. for implementation. through more water transfer challenges such as water and COVID-19 has hampered The SADC Secretariat has schemes across basins so as to sanitation coverage, saline progress in the delivery of the commenced the process of increasingly service water de- water intrusion and flood dis- water programme, and has designing RSAP V, with the mands centres along priority aster risk issues. also exposed the weaknesses support of a regional consul- regional development corri- The RSAP V will, therefore, of the region’s institutions in tant. dors and industrial value identify targeted water inter- relation to their resilience to As the first step in the pro- chains centres to respond to ventions for the Oceanic States. disasters. cess, a regional visioning work- the regional industrialisation The action plan will also aim to RSAP V will consider out- shop on the RSAP V design and regional integration drive strengthen integrated planning puts from ongoing assessment was held in February 2020 in of SADC. and entrenching of the Water- studies on the impact of Johannesburg, South Africa Another proposal is to de- Energy-Food (WEF) and other COVID-19 in the water sector. and attended by representa- velop a regional strategy on de- nexus approaches. The development of the tives of Member States, SADC salination and transfer of This will be done through RSAP V is expected to be com- subsidiary organisations in the desalinated water to demand the identification of activities pleted in early 2021. r
SouTHerN AfriCA Today 3 ENERGY
SADC Ministers agree to amend Energy Protocol
SADC eNerGy Ministers have agreed to amend the en- ergy protocol to include insti- tutional reforms and facilitate participation by the private sector. The protocol that provides for the harmonious develop- This has necessitated the work for planning and cooper- SADC natural gas sector. ment of national energy poli- amendment of Annex 1 to the ation with development part- The study report unpacked the cies was first adopted in 1996 protocol that deals with guide- ners and the private sector. drivers for a regional gas mar- and entered into force in April lines for cooperation in the pri- The ministers meeting, ket, analysed the enabling reg- 1998. ority SADC energy sub-sectors which was coordinated virtu- ulatory frameworks, and The Committee of SADC of electricity, petroleum and ally by Mozambique, also re- assessed the natural gas supply Energy Ministers, meeting gas, coal, renewable energy viewed progress towards and demand situation in the re- jointly with their Water coun- and energy efficiency. development of the regional gion as well as the regional gas terparts approved the draft Various sections of the gas programme in SADC, in infrastructure development Agreement Amending the annex are outdated and need particular issues to do with outlook. SADC Protocol on Energy to be amended in line with policy, strategic, institutional This was with the view of (1996) as well as the draft emerging issues. and regulatory matters. developing a SADC gas in- amendments to Annex 1. One such issue is the estab- The ministers approved dustry and establishing gas- The draft agreement and lishment of the SADC Centre recommendations to promote to-power energy plants for amendments have now been for Renewable Energy and En- development of gas infrastruc- diversifying the generation forwarded to the Committee ergy Efficiency (SACREEE), ture and markets in the region. energy mix in the region, of Ministers responsible for which did not exist at the time They also urged Member which is currently dominated Justice/Attorneys General for the protocol was adopted 24 States to promptly develop gas by coal and hydropower. legal clearance and subse- years ago. infrastructure and markets in The meeting reviewed quent submission to the Based in Namibia, the Region and commended progress towards the transfor- SADC Council of Ministers for SACREEE was established in progress achieved in the devel- mation of the Regional Elec- consideration and approval in August 2015 following a deci- opment of the Regional Gas tricity Regulators Association March 2021. sion by the SADC Council of Master Plan Phase I, and noted of Southern Africa (RERA) The rationale for the review Ministers to endorse a recom- the roadmap for development into a regulatory authority. of the energy protocol was mendation by the Committee of the Regional Gas Master The transformation of the based on the need to eliminate of Energy Ministers. Plan Phase II, according to a association into an authority is inconsistencies, correcting in- The centre aims to con- statement issued after the meet- expected to address opera- adequacies, capturing emerg- tribute towards increased ac- ing held via video conferencing tional challenges related to ing institutional reforms and cess to modern energy technology on 30 October. regulatory governance experi- providing for private sector services and improved energy The region has some of the enced by some SADC Mem- participation in infrastructure security across the SADC re- largest deposits of natural gas ber States. development. gion through the promotion of in the world and harnessing Officially launched in market-based uptake of re- this would improve the en- September 2002, RERA is a for- newable energy and energy ergy situation in the region mal association of electricity efficient technologies and en- and contribute to the regional regulators which provides a ergy services. energy mix, which is domi- platform for cooperation The protocol has also been nated by coal. among electricity regulators reviewed to align it with provi- During the 38th SADC Sum- within the SADC region. How- sions of the Regional Infras- mit held in Windhoek, Namibia ever, it does not have powers to tructure Development Master in August 2018, the Secretariat set legally binding rules. Plan, which was adopted in was directed to operationalise Its membership is open to 2012. the Regional Gas Committee all electricity regulatory bod- The master plan guides the and to develop the Regional ies in SADC. Currently, all development of infrastructure Gas Master Plan. SADC Member States, except in the six priority sectors of en- To operationalise this Sum- Union of Comoros and DRC ergy, information communica- mit decision, the Secretariat have electricity regulators, but tion technology, meteorology, commissioned a study between Seychelles, Madagascar and tourism, transport and water, November 2019 and April 2020 Mauritius are not yet mem- and would also acts as a frame- on the status of the bers of RERA. sardc.net r
4 SouTHerN AfriCA Today, December 2020 GENDER
Towards 50/50 gender parity by Thenjiwe Ngwenya rights of women, adopted in percent, while South Africa and their electoral systems of pro- 1995 by the global community Tanzania had 32.8 percent and portional representation and eQuAliTy for both women as a roadmap for the achieve- 30.4 percent respectively, ac- the policies of their leading po- and men continues to be a top ment of gender equality. cording to the SADC Gender and litical parties to overcome gen- priority for SADC’s develop- SADC Member States Development Monitor of 2016. der discrimination through ment agenda. moved purposefully to inte- In Tanzania, this was having a fixed quota for Gender equality is firmly grate these commitments in achieved through a constitu- women on their nomination rooted in the Declaration and their regional development tional clause that established lists – at first, one in three Treaty that established the agenda by approving the special seats for women that names were women and there- shared community of SADC, SADC Declaration on Gender constituted 30 percent of total after one in two. and Member States have and Development in 1997 and seats in Parliament, and the In the past 10 years, repre- adopted gender equality and the Addendum on the Preven- percentage of women parlia- sentation of women has been empowerment of women and tion and Eradication of Vio- mentarians above that were inconsistent, for example, in men among the priorities for lence Against Women and elected in constituencies. Angola, Eswatini, Lesotho and the attainment of sustainable Children in 1998 For Mozambique and Malawi there has been a down- development. The SADC Declaration on South Africa, this was due to ward trend. r Member States have made Gender and Development of significant progress toward the 1997 called for at least 30 per- aspiration of gender equality cent representation and partic- and equity since the formation ipation of women in politics SADC commemorates World AIDS Day of SARDC 40 years ago in 1980. and decision-making posi- However, barriers remain that tions. SADC JoiNeD the global community on 1 December in hinder the achievement of gen- This target was later raised commemorating the World AIDS Day under the theme der equality in the region. to 50/50 by the Revised SADC “Global solidarity, shared responsibility.” There is need for the people Protocol on Gender and De- SADC Executive Secretary, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax of the region through their re- velopment adopted in 2016. said all stakeholders should continue to work together in gional community to maintain During the period 1997- curbing HIV/AIDS. and strengthen the momentum 2015 when the target was at 30 “Governments and all stakeholders have the responsibil- as well as address some of the percent, only three SADC ity of working together and putting people at the centre of barriers to ensure that the re- Member States reached the their programmes by implementing human rights and gen- gion meets the equality and target with regard to women der responsive strategies that will leave no one behind and empowerment of both women representation in parliament– help to end AIDS and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr Tax said and men by 2030. Mozambique, South Africa in a statement. A quick review of the gen- and the United Republic of She said there is need for SADC Member States to in- der progress in SADC over the Tanzania. crease collaborative efforts and resources and ensure that 25-year period since the UN At that time Mozambique AIDS is curbed by year 2030. r Fourth World Women Confer- had a representation of 34.8 ence that agreed on the princi- ples and objectives of the Beijing Declaration and Plat- Bridging the gap in women’s role in peace and security form for Action, reveals that some Member States are active AS AfriCA has dedicated the ment the women and girls in UN Economic Commission and others are lagging behind year 2020 to accelerating action prevention mechanisms, inter- for Africa Executive Secretary, in taking action toward gender and efforts towards ending all vention for peace-building Vera Songwe concurred, saying equality. wars, civil conflicts, gender- and the post-conflict recon- guns consistently continue to In the area of politics and based violence and prevention struction efforts silence women’s voices, de- decision-making, SADC of genocide, the role of women She said contributions by priving them of human dignity progress on the representation and girls has been emphasized women in peace initiatives on unprecedented levels. of women in the public and as an integral part of the imple- cannot be limited to symbolic “Women can help improve private sectors remains erratic mentation of the master roles and, therefore, deliberate Africa's economic growth ex- with the majority of Member roadmap to silencing the guns efforts must be taken to boost ponentially and that growth States not yet achieving the on the continent. women and girls involvement can in turn help Africa's 50/50 representation target. African Union Commis- in the peace and security women as we seek to close the The Beijing Declaration sioner for Political Affairs, Mi- agenda at the community, na- gender economic gap. We need and Platform for Action is a nata Cessouma said there is tional, regional and continen- to silence the guns now,” commitment to advancing the need to scale up the involve- tal levels. Songwe said. r
SouTHerN AfriCA Today 5 AGRICULTURE
SADC launches regional appeal to combat outbreak of migratory locust
THe THreAT of migratory “Enhancing engagement, mal as harvesting was largely Tanzania, Zambia and Zim- locusts can be eradicated in coordination, capacity devel- complete by at the time of the babwe. southern Africa through joint opment, and monitoring and outbreak. If not contained Climate change is be- implementation of response evaluation at the sub-national, however, the pandemic is lieved to be the major driver measures. national and regional levels, likely to impact negatively on of new introductions due to This is contained in an in- while adopting resilience- the good prospects of the changes in weather patterns ternational appeal by SADC building initiatives cannot be 2020/2021 cropping season that create conducive envi- for support to halt the African overemphasised,” she said. that comes at the backdrop of ronment for introduction, es- Migratory Locust (Locusta mi- Locusts cause serious expected favourable rains. tablishment and spread of gratoria) outbreak that has af- food and nutrition insecurity The Food and Agriculture new pests and diseases. fected at least 10 of the 16 and loss of livelihoods Organization of the United The international appeal, Member States. through damage to crops and Nations (FAO) estimates that supported by FAO Sub-re- The appeal will increase pastures, thereby compound- one swarm can contain tens gional Office for Southern capacity of SADC to ing existing food insecurity in of millions of adults and that Africa and IRLCOCSA, will strengthen emergency re- communities already affected a 20 km2 swarm of locusts focus on emergency response sponse in affected countries resource constraints as a re- with an average density of 60 in the locust hotspots and and regional support institu- sult of floods, drought and million adults/km2 can eat strengthen coordination and tions to suppress the pest es- the impacts of COVID-19. the same amount of food in information exchange among pecially in the hotspots, The 2020 Regional Vulner- one day that would feed 2,500 the affected countries. It will establish community-based ability Assessment and Anal- people for a year. also enable aerial surveillance locust monitoring, early ysis Programme Synthesis The African migratory lo- and mapping activities in warning and control to Report indicate that 51,33 mil- cust outbreak, which started in hard-to-reach areas, and pro- strengthen the nexus between lion in Southern Africa are May this year, has been re- vide technical support for na- emergency response and food insecure. ported in Angola, Botswana, tional locust surveillance and community resilience. Damage to crops from the Eswatini, Malawi, Mozam- control units to be estab- It will strengthen early 2019/2020 season was mini- bique, Namibia, South Africa, lished. r warning systems through community participation, surveillance, mapping and use of IT reporting and com- SADC records increase in fish production munication applications. The fund will also assist SADC HAS recorded an increase in aquaculture In addition to in procurement of emergency production from to 92,773 tonnes reported in food security and monitoring and response 2019 to 100,950 tonnes. economic contri- equipment, pesticides and or The increase is a result of implementation of bution, ocean and services, undertaking of national aquaculture programmes stipulated in inland waters such as lakes, rivers and reservoirs emergency ground spot the SADC Regional Aquaculture Strategy by a provide conservation and biodiversity values that spraying with environmen- majority of the Member States. are of global significance. tally friendly synthetic pesti- The fisheries sector contributes an average of In order to optimise benefits from the fish- cides, as well strengthening of about 2 percent to the SADC Gross Domestic eries and aquaculture SADC Heads of State in existing inter-country infor- Product, with total average exports worth of 2001 endorsed the SADC Protocol on Fisheries. mation exchange and coordi- US$152 million and average imports of US$100 The Protocol aims to foster responsible and nation mechanisms for million. sustainable use of the living aquatic resources effective collective response. The fisheries sector employs an average of and aquatic ecosystems of interest to State Par- SADC Executive Secre- 145,000 people, with more than a million bene- ties in order to promote and enhance food secu- tary Dr Stergomena Tax fitting indirectly. rity and human health, safeguard the livelihood called on Member States to Per capita fish consumption in the region is of fishing communities, and generate economic accelerate disaster prepared- 11 kg per person, which constitutes an average opportunities from nationals in the region. ness measures and to make of 16 percent of the total animal protein intake It also seeks to alleviate poverty with the ul- use of data continuously gen- and 5 percent of the total protein intake, making timate objective of its eradication, as well as en- erated and shared by the Sec- the contribution of fisheries to food and nutri- suring that future generations benefit from these retariat. tion security in the region significant. renewable resources. r
6 SouTHerN AfriCA Today, December 2020 CLIMATE CHANGE
Water, energy and food security can be achieved by Egline Tauya pressure on water, energy and to adopt the nexus approach, population and aspirations for food resources in addition to saying, “we are indeed on the higher living standards. WATer, eNerGy and food the impact of climate change. right track, and if we all com- Predictions by the Inter- security can be achieved in To address these challenges mit to this course, we will def- governmental Panel on Cli- southern Africa through joint the SADC Ministers responsi- initely reap greater benefits in mate Change (IPCC) indicate efforts and integration with ble for Energy and Water ap- the near future. a decrease in annual precipita- other sectors of the economy. proved the Dr Tax further stressed the tion by as much as 20 percent This was the conclusion Water-Energy-Food (WEF) importance of the nexus ap- by 2080 in most parts of the re- of a joint ministerial meeting Nexus Framework, which proach as it greatly contributes gion while the duration of the held on 30 October, and aims to secure the supply of towards regional integration, rainy season will shorten. chaired by Ernesto Tonela, the these resources by strengthen- including industrialisation, About 70 percent of the Minister of Mineral Resources ing synergies, and reducing environmental protection, and population in the SADC re- and Energy of Mozambique, trade-offs among these sec- ultimately to peace and stabil- gion depends on rain-fed agri- which is the current chair of tors. ity, socio-economic develop- culture for crop production, SADC. The Minsters confirmed ment, and reduction of and large segments of rural Minister Tonela applauded that a long-lasting solution to poverty in the region. population are engaged in SADC Member States for their these challenges can only be Traditionally the design of subsistence farming, livestock resilient ways of managing the realized when the related sec- water and energy systems has herding and artisanal fishing. COVID-19 pandemic while tors find a truly collaborative been done independently or Demand for water, food continuing to enhance strate- arrangement as any strategy considered simplified interde- and energy in the region is ex- gies to safeguard energy and that focuses on water, food, or pendencies between the sys- pected to rise by 30-50 percent water operations. energy separately without tems. This approach misses in the next two decades. He called upon SADC considering the interconnec- valuable synergies between Regional energy demand is Member States to adopt and tions, risks serious unintended them and does not consider in expected to increase to over operationalize coordination consequences. detail the sharing and distribu- 115,000MW by 2030 according mechanisms. The Nexus approach high- tion of benefits between sectors, to the Southern African Power He said joint efforts are lights the interdependencies and or among Member States. Pool. needed to achieve a consistent between achieving water, en- In relation to the SADC Re- Water withdrawals for irri- supply of energy and water ergy, and food security for gional Indicative Strategic De- gation are projected to increase which will provide sustain- human well-being while en- velopment Plan (RISDP) by 10 percent by 2050, while 60 able development, guarantee suring ecologically sustainable 2020-30 and the SADC Vision percent more food will be industrialisation, reduce use of essential resources. 2050, Dr Tax noted that the needed to feed the region in poverty, achieve regional inte- It bridges the traditional di- major focus area in 2020/2021 2050. This is expected to in- gration, stimulate economic vides between each of the sec- remains directed towards im- crease the demand for energy growth and improve the qual- tors and takes a long-term plementation of the remaining and water. ity of life of the people of the perspective that is relevant to components of the SADC Re- As the three sectors are inex- SADC region. all major international pro- gional Infrastructure Develop- tricably linked, uncoordinated The SADC region has been cesses aimed at sustainable de- ment Master Plan (RIDMP), development and management experiencing economic velopment, including the which aims to create a con- in one area has the capacity to growth, population growth achievement of the Sustainable ducive environment for the at- negatively impact on others. and improved living stan- Development Goals (SDGs). tainment of water and energy This water-energy-food se- dards factors that have put The WEF-Nexus is, there- security for all. curity nexus therefore requires fore, a central pillar of the The water, energy and food Member States to develop in- SADC 2030 Agenda, as an en- security challenges are linked novative and integrated ap- abler of sustainable develop- to reduced rainfall that has proaches to management of ment in its three dimensions. lowered the water levels in the three sectors to optimize The SADC Executive Secre- reservoirs, the changing cli- use of resources, balance com- tary, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence mate and the increasing de- peting demands and max- Tax, commended the decision mand due to the growing imise benefits. sardc.net r
SouTHerN AfriCA Today 7 SADC EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT Extraordinary Summit Advancing toward regional integration despite
SADC leADerS are set to meet for an extraordinary summit in March 2021 to chart the development agenda of the region. The meeting is a follow up to the 40th SADC Summit held that was in August in a virtually format that was coordinated from Maputo, Mozambique. This edition of Southern Africa Today looks at the some of the major issues expected to be discussed at the Extraordinary Summit scheduled to be hosted by Mozambique in March 2021.
Strengthening implementation of regional initiatives commemorate the 40th One of the priority focus areas for the summit will be to discuss Anniversary of SADC. the implementation of the SADC Vision 2050 that was approved The engagement is in August. aimed at exploring ways The vision sets out the aspirations of the region until 2050, and of how governments seeks to consolidate SADC by leveraging areas of excellence and and the private sector implementing priorities to achieve sustainable and inclusive can work together to socio-economic development underpinned by good governance promote sustainable and durable peace and security in the region. economic development The extraordinary summit will assess how SADC Member in the region States are rolling out the implementation The decision to of the Vision, nationally and regionally. strengthen private sector Closely linked to this, the meeting engagement in regional integration is in line with the recommen- will also aim to encourage Member States dations of the SADC Strategic Ministerial Retreat on the “SADC We to intensify the implementation of var- Want” held in Ezulwini, the Kingdom of Eswatini in March 2017. ious other regional initiatives such The retreat agreed on measures aimed at strengthening imple- as the new Regional Indicative mentation of the integration agenda and promoting inclusive par- Strategic Development Plan ticipation by citizens in regional programmes. (RISDP), SADC Industrialisa- It was noted that the lack of direct involvement by the private tion Strategy and Roadmap sector is a barrier to economic development. and the SADC Regional In- Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are regarded as a viable frastructure Development model for attracting investment for public projects by allowing Master Plan. governments to have a larger access to additional capital and off- Effective implementation of balance sheet financing. these strategic documents are key in PPPs also promote greater efficiency and sustainability to the advancing forward the integration agenda of south- provision of public services such as water, sanitation, energy, ern Africa. transport, telecommunications, healthcare and education. Well-structured PPPs can assist governments to leverage the Harnessing an enlarged market expertise and efficiency of the private sector in order to raise cap- Another important issue for SADC in 2021 is making sure that ital, and spur development. the region fully benefits from the operationalization of the African Furthermore, PPPs are critical in helping allocate risk across Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which will start trading the public and private sectors to where it can best be managed on 1 January 2021. and ensure that resources are wisely allocated in addressing the The AfCFTA is an enlarged most urgent development needs. market that brings together all Recognizing that the involvement of private sector is critical the 55 AU members, covering a for the successful implementation of the industrialisation strategy, market of more than 1.2 billion the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with the private sector apex people and a combined Gross bodies in the region decided to establish the SADC Business Domestic Product (GDP) of Council, which was launched in August 2019. more than US$3.4 trillion. The operationalization of Addressing the regional energy situation the AfCFTA has the capacity to Access and availability of energy is key to promoting trade and change the global economic development in SADC. The extraordinary summit is expected to landscape and boost intra-re- discuss ways to strengthen energy development to address power gional trade across the continent. shortages that have hin- dered economic growth Public-Private Sector Engagement and development since A vibrant public-private engagement is critical in advancing re- 2007, due to diminish- gional integration in southern Africa. In this regard, as part of the ing generation capacity summit, a public-private sector engagement will be convened to and growth in demand.
8 SouTHerN AfriCA Today, December 2020 SADC EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT
COVID-19 threat
SADC, through the Southern African Power Pool which coor- emergency livestock supplementary feeding to save livestock, dinates the planning, generation, transmission and marketing of and importing grain to supplement their reduced yields. electricity in southern Africa on behalf of Member State utilities, Other initiatives are the establishment of vibrant disaster risk had planned to commission a total of 8,781 megawatts of new strategies as well as the mainstream of Disaster Risk Reduction electricity to the regional power grid in 2020. strategies in all national and regional programmes to ensure bet- However, the advent of the novel coronavirus known as ter and coordinated response to address the effects of climate COVID-19 has hindered some of these plans. Therefore, it is now change. important for SADC to realign its plans and ensure the availabil- ity of energy to power regional integration and development. Launch of the SADC@40 publication The extraordinary summit is expected to discuss progress on From a series of consultations held in the late 1970s by represen- ongoing efforts to improve the power generation capacity for the tative of the Frontline States to forge closer alliance, the nine in- region. dependent states in southern Africa were able to form a vibrant regional organization, the Southern African Development Coor- Addressing COVID-19 dination Conference (SADCC) in 1980, which was later trans- Addressing the spread and impact of COVID-19 will continue to be formed to SADC in 1992. a priority for SADC in 2021 and the extraordinary summit is ex- SADC turned 40 years old in 2020 and as part of its celebrations, pected to deliberate on progress. the Extraordinary Summit will take stock of its integration journey, COVID-19 has had a severe impact on the global economy and which will be documented in a resulted in the loss of many lives, and forcing most SADC Member publication on SADC@40: The States to impose socio-economic lockdowns, as well as protective Southern African Development measures such as wearing masks. Community 1980-2020 which While the lockdowns have helped to ease and contain the spread presents the main achieve- of the virus, the impact has affected regional development. ments and milestones recorded The extraordinary summit is expected to explore ways in which by SADC since the formation Member States could invest more resources in strengthening their 40 years ago. public health systems and implement measures to curtail the spread of the virus. Public lecture on 40th Anniversary of SADC For example, Member States that are beginning to reopen their As part of its 40th anniversary, a public lecture on SADC will be economies as well as air travel and land borders may want to en- held, where a former SADC Heads of State and Government is force anti-coronavirus standards such as social distancing at work- expected to deliver some important institutional history to pre- places, regular health screenings and wearing of masks at all times. sent and future generations. It is also critical for The SADC Public Lecture is organised by the SADC Secretariat countries to put in place in collaboration with a university in the SADC Summit host coun- vibrant social protection try. The public lectures help to publicize SADC so that people bet- measures to cushion the ter understand the various benefits of belonging to a shared population from the ef- community of southern Africa. fects of loss of income, The last SADC Public Lecture was given by the former Tanza- particularly due to the nian President Benjamin Mkapa (late) who called on the region economic lockdown im- to leverage the “vast knowledge dividend” that resides in its posed by a number of young people, as well as to harness new technology to ensure countries in response to deeper regional integration. the pandemic. Mkapa, who was president of the United Republic of Tanzania from 1995 to 2005, called on all stakeholders, including govern- Striving for food security ments, private sector and civil society, to work together to empower Agriculture is once again expected to come under the spotlight young people who are the torchbear- this year following increased rainfall after subdued and low rain- ers of the regional integration fall in previous farming seasons, as well as climatic conditions agenda. such as floods, drought and cyclones. The public lecture, which took In this regard, SADC Member States are expected to approve place ahead of the 39th SADC Sum- and implement measures aimed at improving food security in the mit held in August 2019 in Dar es region. Salaam, United Republic of Tanza- These measures in- nia, was jointly organised by Uon- clude assisting af- gozi Institute, Tanzanian Ministry fected populations Foreign Affairs and East African Co- with food supplies as operation, the SADC Secretariat and well as providing the University of Dar es Salaam. r
SouTHerN AfriCA Today 9 COVID-19
Industrializing Africa by Kizito Sikuka Speaking during the Africa Industrialization Week which THe CoViD-19 pandemic ran from 16-20 November, the that has affected the global Executive Secretary of the Eco- and economic diversification, As a major driver of the socio-economic landscape has nomic Commission for Africa, African economies will have planned transformation for brought to the fore the need Dr. Vera Songwe said industri- limited room to grow and de- the region, the industrial sec- for Africa to industrialize and alization is imperative for velopment, thus industrializa- tor is one of the sectors signif- trade more with itself than Africa’s development, partic- tion holds key towards icantly affected by the with the outside world. ularly now that global com- building socio-economic re- COVID-19 pandemic. An industrialized Africa munity is faced with the silience, and self- reliance in Therefore, it is important can have the capacity to shield COVID-19 pandemic. Africa. for the region to understand from global volatilities in com- “The COVID-19 pandemic She said even in the face and appreciate the extent of modity prices that have con- has openly exposed the hol- against any difficulties or chal- damage that the pandemic has tinued to dictate the direction lowness of African economies lenges such as the COVID-19 on their economies, and re- of Africa’s trade and economic on several fronts including the pandemic, Africa should not spond with appropriate mea- progress. fragility and weakness of lack determination to industri- sures to ensure that the Furthermore, industrializing Africa’s industrial capabili- alize its economy because a disruption does not seriously the continent would mean less ties,” she said, adding that large part of its growth and negate key developments in raw resources being shipped there is an opportunity for the prosperity hinges on the con- the industrialisation drive of and traded elsewhere, enabling continent to reconfigure its de- tinent trading more with itself. the region. African countries to fully bene- velopment narrative towards SADC Executive Secretary, One such measure is to put fit from their natural resources, prioritization of initiatives that Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax in place vibrant business stim- as well as create em- support Africa’s in- concurred, adding that the ulus to cushion the private ployment for its cit- dustrialization. novel coronavirus had clearly sector from the effects of izens. Dr. Vera shown how far we are from re- COVID-19 as well as gear In this regard, it said without a alizing the developmental them to partake in the oppor- is critical for the transition from goals of advancing integration tunities created by the pan- continent to tackle commodities to and sustainable development demic. sardc.net r and seize any hard value addition in the region. realities or threats such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and turn Russia ready to partner with SADC in them into opportunities for emboldening industrialization producing COVID-19 vaccine and intra-Africa trade. For example, an increased ruSSiA STANDS ready to ence in anti-coronavirus vac- demand for medicines and collaborate with SADC Mem- cine production, having regis- medical supplies during and ber States to produce the tered the first ever vaccine that Furthermore, the collaboration post the COVID-19 period COVID-19 vaccine using local is effective and affordable. will strengthen Russia-SADC should create a conducive en- capacities and suppliers. He stated that through the partnership, which dates back vironment for Africa to estab- Outgoing Russian Ambas- Russian Direct Investment many years ago. lish its own pharmaceutical sador Extraordinary and Fund (RDIF), which had ex- Relations between Russia industries. Plenipotentiary to Botswana clusive rights to produce and and SADC are contained in a Another opportunity is to and Special Representative to supply the vaccine abroad, Memoranda of Understand- collectively work together to SADC, Dr Victor Sibilev said SADC Member States were in- ing (MoU) on Basic Principles ensure that the African Conti- this in his meeting with the vited to establish partnerships of Relations and Cooperation nental Free Trade Area SADC Executive Secretary, Dr. with RDIF to produce the vac- signed in October 2018, as well (AfCFTA) – that aims to dis- Stergomena Lawrence Tax on cine in the SADC region using as another agreement on Mili- mantle trade barriers among 30 November in Gaborone. local capacities and suppliers. tary Technical Cooperation African countries by deepen- Russia became one of the Dr Tax said the collabora- signed in July 2018. ing integration through im- first countries to develop and tion was welcomed as it will In 2019, SADC Member proved infrastructure distribute its COVID-19 vac- help the region to contain the States attended the first ever development, investment cine, known as Sputnik V. spread of the pandemic which Russia-Africa Summit and Dr Sibilev said his country has impacted global socio-eco- Economic Forum held in flows and enhanced competi- r tion – is a huge success. is thus willing to share experi- nomic landscape. Sochi, Russia.
10 SouTHerN AfriCA Today, December 2020 COOPERATION
SADC and ICPs chart a new collaboration by Egline Tauya
A NeW collaboration by the Southern African Develop- ment Community (SADC) and implementation of Vision 2050 guided by the strategic priori- wards the achievement of the its International Cooperating and RISDP 2020-2030. ties enshrined in the Vision SADC Common Agenda. Partners (ICPs) has charted a He said this is in line with 2050 and RISDP 2020-2030. This involves the attain- course for post-COVID-19 cir- the aid effectiveness principles Discussions encompassed ment of the SADC Mission of cumstances and demonstrated enshrined in the Paris Declara- the need to broaden support promoting sustainable and eq- attributes of true partnership. tion of 2005, the SADC Wind- to green recovery through the uitable economic growth and This year’s dialogue meet- hoek Declaration of 2006, and consideration of climate socio-economic development ing between SADC and ICPs the SADC-ICP Partnership change and environmental through efficient productive was held virtually on 20 Statement of 2012. degradation. systems; deeper cooperation November and hailed the The SADC-ICP Dialogue This is line with an earlier and integration; good gover- dawn of a new era ushered by Platform meetings are a key agreement between SADC nance; strengthened capacity the approval of the SADC Vi- enabler in facilitating critical and ICPs to establish a new and participation of stake- sion 2050 and the Regional In- conversations with ICPs and Thematic Group on Climate holders; and durable peace dicative Strategic Development create a common understand- Change and Disaster Risk and security, so that the region Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 by 40th ing regarding joint considera- Management for purposes of emerges as a competitive and SADC Summit in August 2020. tions and approaches for the ensuring a robust engagement effective player in interna- According to the vision, implementation of the region's mechanism on climate tional relations and the world SADC envisions a peaceful, in- strategies and priorities. change-related issues. economy. r clusive, competitive, middle- to The platform facilitates in- This would become the high-income industrialised re- stitutionalised political, policy eighth thematic group estab- gion, where all citizens enjoy and technical dialogue and ex- lished by SADC and ICPs to sustainable economic well- change of good practice be- coordinate their activities in The Windhoek Declara- being, justice and freedom. tween SADC and ICPs. various sectors. tion on a New Partnership Supporting the vision, the This is in pursuit of Other thematic groups are between SADC and ICPs RISDP 2020-2030 has priorities improving coordination, in the areas of Agriculture and calls for: which are based on a firm alignment, synergy, comple- Food Security; Energy; HIV • Regular, institution- foundation of Peace, Security mentarity and harmonisation and AIDS; Information Com- alised dialogue at the and Democratic Governance, of procedures between the munication Technology; Peace political, policy and and is premised on the three two sides, with a view to stim- and Security; Trade, Industry, technical levels for con- Pillars of Industrial Develop- ulating effective development Finance and Investment; structive engagement, ment and Market Integration; cooperation and achievement Transport; and Water. information and experi- Infrastructure Development in of results at national and re- The thematic groups are ence exchange, and the support of Regional Integra- gional levels. established to realign the promotion of best prac- tion; Social and Human Capi- SADC Executive Secretary, SADC regional integration tices on development tal Development. Dr Stergomena Tax high- agenda with the development cooperation; Cross-cutting issues in- lighted that the SADC region agendas of the ICPs and thus • Improved coordination clude Gender, Youth, Environ- remains vulnerable to the im- improve efficiency and effec- between ICPs and ment and Climate Change, and pact of COVID-19. tiveness of the implementa- SADC to ensure more Disaster Risk Management. She extended appreciation tion of the SADC policies and effective development Interventions by ICPs are to the ICPs for extending na- programmes, as outlined in cooperation mecha- expected to be consistent with tional and regional support to- the SADC Vision 2050 and nisms with a view to aspirations brought forth by wards the COVID-19 RISDP 2020-2030. achieving maximum the new strategic frameworks. response, and stated that as The thematic groups are impact; and Addressing the meeting, the transition to a new strate- one of the outcomes of the • Alignment, harmoniza- Ambassador Alfredo Nu- gic direction and post-COVID Windhoek Declaration on a tion and streamlining of vunga, Director for Regional era unfolds, it is important not New Partnership between operational procedures, and Continental Integration of to lose focus of the priority SADC and ICPs that was rules and other practices the Ministry of Foreign Affairs areas that have guided coop- signed during a consultative in the delivery of devel- and Cooperation in Mozam- eration between SADC and conference held in the Namib- opment assistance to bique, applauded the commit- ICPs over the years. ian capital in April 2006. SADC, taking into ac- r ment by ICP to continue She emphasized that fu- The objective of the part- count local conditions. cooperating with SADC in the ture cooperation will be nership is to contribute to-
SouTHerN AfriCA Today 11 PEACE & SECURITY
Regional response to support Mozambique security ch
that has a nexus to criminality, to terrorism, and to looking at sort of governance capac- ity, law enforcement capacity, and military capacity within Mozambique." At least one US private security company is already recruiting Portuguese-speaking US nationals to "provide strategic and tacti- cal advisory support services" to the Mozambique government. According to the Americans, there is a lot of overlap between the drug traffickers and extremists and the types of conditions that enable them to thrive. The US State Department has, therefore, offered to support the Mozambican govern- ment’s counter-narcotics efforts in order to cut-off what it believes is the financial life- line for the insurgents operating in Cabo SouTHerN AfriCA is developing a com- more complex the crisis will become and the Delgado. prehensive regional response amid fears that more difficult it will be to find a solution. Faced with this scenario, SADC is consid- the drums of war could silence hopes of Terrorism is very cancerous in nature. ering support to its member state, hence the peace in northern Mozambique where an Once it finds fertile ground, it spreads out decision to develop a comprehensive re- armed insurgency has triggered a humani- like bushfire. There is, therefore, an absolute gional response. tarian crisis due to a surge in internally dis- need to urgently address it before it engulfs The Organ Troika meeting also discussed placed persons. the entire region, Organ Chairperson and the security situation in the Democratic Re- Worried about the effects of failure to re- Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi said public of Congo (DRC) and pledged regional solve the growing Cabo Delgado civil war, during the extraordinary summit. support to the development and implemen- the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Another issue of concern among regional tation of the Joint Strategy on the Progressive Security convened an extraordinary sum- players is that situation has already begun to and Phased Drawdown United Nations Or- mit on 27 November in Botswana to map attract political and economic vultures who ganization Stabilization Mission in the DRC out a strategy for this and other regional are hoping to profit from the challenges in (MONUSCO). hotspots. the province. Approved in October, the strategy calls The Organ agreed on urgent regional ac- Many of them come with neo-colonial, for a gradual withdrawal of the MONUSCO tion to address the acts of terrorism in Cabo racist and anti-Islam agendas, or are trying peacekeepers from several regions of the Delgado province and expressed continued to use Mozambique as a pawn in global DRC. SADC solidarity with the government of chess games. The UN last year adopted Resolution President Filipe Nyusi. Already a number of countries have 2502 to reconfigure the Force Intervention The Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit shown interest in the goings-on in Cabo Del- Brigade, which falls under MONUSCO, and directed the finalization of a comprehensive gado, among them France and United States. extended MONUSCO’s mandate by another regional response and support to the Repub- Both Paris and Washington are trying to year up to 20 December 2020. lic of Mozambique to be considered urgently become involved in patrolling the coast of According to SADC Executive Secretary by the Summit, the Organ said in a commu- Cabo Delgado. Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, there have nique. France has been discussing a military mar- been a number of engagements between the SADC is due to hold an extraordinary itime cooperation agreement with Mozam- SADC Secretariat, the DRC government and summit involving heads of state and govern- bique in the context of possible support in the the UN since the 40th SADC Summit held in ment of all the 16 Member States in March fight against insurgents in Cabo Delgado. August. 2021 in Maputo, Mozambique. The island of Mayotte, located about 500 “These engagements were held with a The extraordinary summit of the SADC kilometres east of the Mozambican coastal view to ensure that the reconfiguration of Organ Troika took place amid a surge in city of Pemba and part of the Comoros the FIB, and formulation of the exit strategy armed attacks in Cabo Delgado by militants archipelago, is officially part of mainland are conducted in the best interests of the who claim to be linked to the terrorist organ- France and has an important French military DRC and the SADCs support to the coun- isation, Islamic State. base. try,” Dr Tax said. The insurgency has displaced more than In addition, France has several islands in The Organ Troika, which comprises the 500,000 people from hotspots in the the Mozambique Channel between Mozam- leaders of Botswana, South Africa and Zim- province, with about 2,000 others killed. bique and Madagascar. babwe, is responsible for promoting peace The main concern for the region is that The US government believes that the sit- and security in SADC and protecting the re- the longer it takes to resolve the issue, the uation in Cabo Delgado is a security threat gion from instability.
12 SouTHerN AfriCA Today, December 2020 PEACE & SECURITY allenge
It is currently chaired by President Mokg- weetsi Masisi of Botswana, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as deputy chairperson and President Emmer- son Mnangagwa as outgoing chairperson. Other SADC leaders who attended the Organ Extraordinary Summit were DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi who is the SADC deputy chairperson. They were joined by Mozambique’s De- fence Minister Jaime Neto and Tanzanian Vice President Samia Hassan. r Construction of SADC Standby Regional counter-terrorism centre on Force Depot progressing well the cards All iS on course for the SADC Standby Force by Kizito Sikuka Regional Logistics Depot to start initial opera- tions by 2021 and attain full operations by 2023. NeW AND emerging challenges such as terrorism and insurgencies are a serious This follows the commencement of Phase Two threat to peace and stability in southern Africa, and the region is committed to de- of the construction of the logistics depot. velop a more coordinated approach to address the threats. SADC Executive Secretary, Dr. Stergomena Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, President Lawrence Tax said at a familiarisation tour of the Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana said this at an Extraordinary SADC Organ Troika depot by the Chairperson of the SADC Ministe- Summit, plus the Force Intervention Brigade Troop Contributing Countries, the rial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique held in late November in Gaborone. and Security Cooperation, Thomas Mmusi held The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security is made up of Botswana (Chair), on 21 October that Phase Two will involve major South Africa (Incoming Chair) and Zimbabwe (Immediate Chair), while the Force In- construction works, the designs and construction tervention Brigade Troop Contributing consists of Malawi, South Africa and the United of all the buildings and supporting infrastructure. Republic of Tanzania. Mmusi, who is the Minister of Defence, Justice “Even though the region’s performance in the areas of democracy and peace remains and Security in Botswana, where the depot is lo- the envy of many, there are some emerging issues that are threatening the preservation cated, pledged full commitment and dedication of our peace and security,” President Masisi. by Botswana to ensure that successful construc- “These include terrorism, insurgencies, cybercrime and transnational organised tion of the logistics depot. crimes. By their very nature, these are not issues that Member States can individually Once completed, the depot that is located in deal with. As such, there is need for an integrated and coordinated regional approach Rasesa village, near Mochudi, Botswana will pro- to effectively deal with these eminent threats.” vide storage receipt, inspection and maintenance A recent Report on the Assessment of Security Threats to the SADC Region en- of equipments and materials for all components dorsed by the 40th SADC Summit held in August noted that a number of security of the SADC Standby Force. threats continue to affect stability in the region. The depot is part of the SADC Standby Force Terrorism has been singled out as the most serious threat that needs urgent atten- to support regional peace operations under the tion from all the Member States. African Union Standby Force Policy Framework. “As we all know, terrorism is very cancerous in nature. Once it finds fertile ground, The SADC Standby Force was officially it spreads out like bushfire. There is, therefore, an absolute need to urgently nip it in launched at the 27th SADC Summit held in the bud before it engulfs the entire region,” Masisi said. Lusaka, Zambia in August, 2007, while the decision In this regard, the Extraordinary SADC Organ Troika Summit came up with a to establish a SADC Regional Logistics Depot was number of recommendations on how Member States could deal with this eminent proposed by SADC Defence Chiefs in 2006. threat, including regional commitment to the SADC Mutual Defence Pact. SADC Member States have demonstrated “Other practical and incremental steps that we agreed on include expediting the political commitment to ensure the completion establishment of the SADC Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre,” Masisi said. of the depot with contribution of a total of US$ The regional counter-terrorism centre will among other things be responsible to de- 10 million as seed capital while the African tect, investigate, identify and combat terrorism and violent extremism across the region. Union has also promised to assist SADC to Other measures adopted at the Organ Troika meeting were the need to enhance source the needed funds on the construction of dedicated national counter-terrorism coordination structures, as well as strengthening the depot. The total estimated budget for the cyber-security response capacity at both the national and regional level. r RLD is US$45 million. r
SouTHerN AfriCA Today 13 ELECTIONS
Magufuli pledges to serve all Tanzanians
PreSiDeNT JoHN Magu- known as Chadema party. Fif- fuli pledged to serve all Tan- teen candidates contested the zanians regardless of their presidential poll. His main rival, Maalim In the outgoing National ethnic, religious, or political Magufuli won with 58 per- Seif Sharif of ACT-Wazalendo Assembly, 248 seats were occu- beliefs as he embarks on a an- cent of the vote during his first got 19 percent. pied by men and 145 seats by other five-year journey to fur- presidential election in 2015, Voter turnout was 50.7 per- women, for a proportion of ther improve livelihoods in but he has been very active in cent from the more than 29 36.9 percent women. the country. improving the infrastructure million registered voters. SADC congratulated peo- Speaking in the capital and the economy, and his pop- The CCM also won a land- ple of Tanzania for demon- Dodoma after taking the oath ularity rating is high. slide victory in the parliamen- strating their commitment to of office for a second and final Lissu has rejected the out- tary elections held on the democracy by exercising their five-year term on 5 November, come of the presidential elec- same day. right to vote in a calm and he called on his compatriots to tion, alleging electoral fraud, The National Assembly of tranquil manner. set aside their differences and claiming that ballot boxes Tanzania, the Bunge, has 393 “In particular, SADC con- work towards eliminating were tampered with, and that members of which 264 are gratulates all political par- poverty and corruption in the his party agents were barred elected in single-seat con- ties/candidates and encourage United Republic of Tanzania. from entering polling stations stituencies and 118 are indi- them to consolidate the gains “The elections are over. on election day to observe the rectly elected, including 113 made in the democratic space Let's now join hands in com- process. women elected by political since the advent of multiparty pleting flagship projects and NEC Chairperson Semis- parties in proportion to their elections in the country,” said launch new ones, accelerating tocles Kaijage dismissed the share of the electoral vote, and President Mokgweetsi Masisi the fight against corruption opposition claims, saying the five members from Zanzibar, of Botswana who is the current and embezzlement of public allegations of fake ballot pa- two of whom must be women. Chairperson of the SADC funds, fighting poverty and pers were unsubstantiated. Ten members are ap- Organ on Politics, Defence and creating jobs,” Magufuli said. As well as taking part in pointed by the Union Presi- Security Cooperation. He also pledged to protect the Tanzanian elections, voters dent, of whom five must be Due to the challenges the country's natural re- on the semi-autonomous is- women, and one seat is re- caused by the COVID-19 pan- sources, including minerals, lands of Zanzibar also elected served for the Attorney Gen- demic, SADC was unable to marine resources, forests and their own president on 28 Oc- eral. The Speaker may be physically deploy its electoral wildlife for the benefit of Tan- tober, with the CCM candidate designated from outside Par- observation mission to Tanza- zanians. Hussein Mwinyi emerging liament and becomes a Mem- nia and instead consulted Chief Justice Ibrahim Juma victorious after winning 76 ber of Parliament by virtue of the electoral stakeholders swore in the President and percent of the votes. holding the office of Speaker. virtually. r Samia Suluhu Hassan as Vice President at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma at a ceremony at- Opposition leader wins Seychelles presidential poll tended by leaders and repre- sentatives from various THe PeoPle of Seychelles United Seychelles Party that or Seychelles countries and international or- voted in a peaceful presiden- had been in power since 1977. Democratic Al- ganizations. tial election on 22-24 October A third presidential candidate, liance (SDA) Magufuli resoundingly that saw former priest Wavel Alain St Ange of One Sey- ticket, becomes won the 2020 presidential elec- Ramkalawan becoming the chelles could only manage the fifth presi- tions in Tanzania on 28 Octo- first opposition candidate to 1.58 percent of the votes cast. dent of the ber which also chose Members win the mandate to occupy It was sixth time lucky for Seychelles. of Parliament and ward coun- State House since indepen- the new president who has In parallel parliamentary cillors. dence from Britain more than contested for the Seychellois elections that were also held According to final results four decades ago. presidency since 1998. from 22-24 October 2020, SDA for the presidential election According to results re- Ramkalawan had previ- won victory after winning 54.8 announced by the National leased by the Electoral Com- ously attempted to win the percent of the vote against 42.4 Electoral Commission on 30 mission of Seychelles on 25 right to occupy State House in percent for the former govern- October, Magufuli won 84.4 October, Ramkalawan elections held in 1998, 2001, ing United Seychelles. percent of the valid votes cast avoided a second round ballot 2006, 2011 and 2015. The National Assembly in against 13 percent for his main after winning 54.9 percent of The former opposition Seychelles is made up of 25 rival, Tundu Lissu of the main the votes cast against 43.5 per- leader, who contested the 2020 seats that are directly elected opposition Party for Democ- cent for incumbent Danny presidential poll under a and eight proportional repre- racy and Progress, commonly Faure of the recently renamed Linyon Demokratik Seselwa sentation seats. r
1414 SouTHerNSouTHerN AfriCA AfriCA Today, Today, December April 2020 2020 EVENTS SOUTHERN
AFRICATODAY August – October 2020 SADC TODAY VOL 23 NO 1 DECEMBER 2020
SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY December is produced as a reference source of 25 Nov-10 Dec, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence activities and opportunities in the Global The annual worldwide campaign to oppose violence against Southern African Development Community, and a guide for women and children aims to raise awareness of the negative decision-makers at all levels of national and regional development. impact that violence and abuse have on women and children Southern African Development Community and to rid society of abuse permanently. SADC Secretariat, SADC House, Private Bag 0095, Gaborone, Botswana Tel +267 395 1863 Fax +267 397 2848/318 1070 1, Global World Aids Day E-mail [email protected] Website www.sadc.int The commemoration of World Aids Day is an opportunity to recognize the essential role that communities have played and SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY is published six times a year by the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) for the SADC Secretariat in Gaborone, continue to play in the AIDS response at the international, na- Botswana, as a reliable knowledge source on regional development. Articles may be tional and local levels. reproduced freely in the media and elsewhere, with attribution. EDITOR 8-10, Virtual African Economic Conference Munetsi Madakufamba Running under the theme “Africa beyond COVID-19: Accel- erating Towards Inclusive Sustainable Development,” the con- EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Joseph Ngwawi, Kizito Sikuka, Egline Tauya, Admire Ndhlovu, ference provides an opportunity for researchers, policymakers Phyllis Johnson, Nyarai Kampilipili, Kumbirai Nhongo, and development practitioners to debate and build knowledge Maidei Musimwa, Tariro Mutwira, Innocent Gore, Monica Mutero, on solutions for continental integration. Raymond Ndhlovu, Thenjiwe Ngwenya, Eunice Kadiki SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY is supported by the Austrian Development Agency, 14, Mozambique SADC Organ Troika Extraordinary Summit produced in support of the SADC Energy Thematic Group of International The Troika of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Secu- Cooperating Partners. rity Cooperation meet in the Mozambican capital Maputo to © SADC, SARDC, 2020 discuss the security situation in the north of the country. The meeting followed another one held in Botswana in November. SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY welcomes contributions from individuals and organizations within the SADC region in form of articles, photographs, news items and comments, and also relevant articles from outside the region. The publishers January 2020 reserve the right to select or reject items, and to edit to fit the space available. The 11-15, Ethiopia 34th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly contents do not necessarily reflect the official positions or opinions of SADC or SARDC. African Heads of State and Government gather for the 34th As- SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY is published in English, Portuguese and French, and sembly of the African Union, which will be preceded by min- is available electronically at www.sardc.net Knowledge for Development, linked to isterial and technical meetings. The AU has declared 2021 as www.sadc.int the “Year of the Arts, Culture and Heritage.” DESIGN & LAYOUT Tonely Ngwenya, Anisha Madanhi February 2, Global World Wetlands Day PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS P1 bbc.com, news.cgtn.com, sadc.int, SARDC; World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997. Since then P2 Botswana Daily News, sadc.int; P4 www.datacenterdynamics.com, oilprice.com; government agencies, non-government organisations and P6 telegragh.co.uk, thecattlesite.com, cocorioko.net; community groups have celebrated World Wetlands Day by P7 pxhere.com, qz.com, thesouthernafricantimes.com; P8 lesechos.fr; P9 voanews.com, sadc.int; undertaking actions to raise public awareness of wetland val- P10 umaizi.com; P11 SARDC; P12 SARDC; P13 sadc.int; ues and benefits and promote the conservation and wise use P14 path.org, afripost.net, wikimedia.org; P16 bbc.com of wetlands. Subscribe today SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY is available through an annual subscription fee for six issues a year: US$55 outside Africa, including postage; US$40 within Africa; and US$30 in southern Africa. Your subscription will enable you to receive the newsletter by airmail or email. For more details, please contact the Editor. Comments and contributions should be sent to [email protected] Southern African Research and Documentation Centre Julius K. Nyerere House,15 Downie Avenue, Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe Tel +263 242 791 141 www.sardc.net Knowledge for Development
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SouTHerN AfriCA Today 15 HISTORY TODAY
A life of service and dedication – B.W. Mkapa
THe 59TH national independence anniversary of the United Republic of Tanzania, then known as Tanganyika on 9 December comes following the sad loss of the former President Zimbabwe celebrates Benjamin William Mkapa who died on 23 July 2020 in Dar es Salaam at the age of 81. Speaking in a national address for the funeral, President Magufuli described the death National Unity Day of Mkapa as a loss not only for his family but for Africa and the whole world. He noted that, “Mkapa was a global citizen. He was a dynamic leader, a seasoned diplomat, a DECEMBER 22 is an important date in the history of mediator and a peacemaker.” Zimbabwe, marked as the National Unity Day and is a Born in November 1938 in Lupaso, a village in Mtwara Region near the border between public holiday. Tanzania and Mozambique, President Mkapa played a leading role in the development The day commemorates the signing of a Unity of the postcolonial Tanzania and the whole of Africa. Accord on this day in 1987 by two liberation parties, the Following the attainment of national independence in his country under the leadership Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front of Julius Kambarage Nyerere in 1961, Benjamin Mkapa served in several appointments (ZANU PF) and the Patriotic Front Zimbabwe African which strengthened his learning and mentorship from Mwalimu Nyerere. People`s Union (PF ZAPU) represented by the then In his early years, Mkapa joined the foreign ministry as a junior officer, became managing Prime Minister and First Secretary of ZANU, Robert editor of the party newspapers in English and Kiswahili, and then managing editor of the Mugabe and the President of ZAPU, Joshua Nkomo. national newspaper. The historic signing of this Unity Accord laid a From 1974 to 1976, he was appointed as the Press Secretary to the President during a strong and lasting foundation for national unity, a strategic period of independence in southern Africa, particularly in Mozambique and bedrock for stability, peace and national development. Angola, and bargaining over independence for Zimbabwe and Namibia, and ending After the signing ceremony in 1987, Mugabe said, apartheid in Namibia and South Africa. “Today is a great day. It is great because we have come In 1977, he served as Minister for Foreign Affairs for three years before he was together in body, mind and spirit of our two parties.” appointed Minister of Information and Culture, the Ministry he led from 1980 - 1982. Nkomo added that the accord was “the beginning Mkapa then served in several posts until the year 1992 when he was made Minister for of unity, for unity is not just the signing of documents, Science, Technology and Higher Education, the position he held until 1995, when he stood unity is what follows.” for presidency and won with 62 percent of the popular vote which increased to almost 72 percent for his second term in 2000. President Mkapa was essentially the country’s third president after independence in 1961, but was the first elected President under the multi-party system, put in place in 1992. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN SADC During his reign as president from 1995 - 2005, he prioritised economic development, December 2020 – February 2021 stabilizing the macroeconomic environment and the exchange rate, widening the space for local and foreign investment, setting the example for economic liberation that has resulted in Tanzania being declared a “lower-middle income country” in June 2020. 8 December Feast of the Immaculate Conception Seychelles President Mkapa believed in African unity, the removal of colonial boundaries, and in 9 December Independence Day Tanzania regional integration through the East African Community and the Southern African 10 December International Human Rights Day Namibia Development Community (SADC). Day of Reconciliation South Africa Speaking during the 2019 annual SADC public lecture, he said “Our solidarity during 22 December National Unity Day Zimbabwe 25 December Christmas Day All SADC countries except the political liberation can serve as a strong anchor of economic transformation. SADC Malawi, Zambia has a lot of successes to be proud about. We must not shy away from celebrating our Family Day Angola, Mozambique collective achievements inspired by our common history.” 26 December Boxing Day Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, His efforts in strengthening regional integration agenda, consolidating peace and unity Tanzania, Zimbabwe highlights his dedication to the furtherance of the legacy of Mwalimu Nyerere. Family Day Namibia Mwalimu Nyerere led his country to independence on 9 December 1961, and became Day of Goodwill South Africa the first Prime Minister. A year later the country, then called Tanganyika, became a republic 1 January New Year’s Day SADC with Nyerere as President. 2 January New Year Holiday Mauritius, Seychelles In his national independendence address in 1961, Mwalimu said, “This is the day for Incwala Day Eswatini which we have looked so long, the day when every Tanganyikan can say ‘I am a citizen of 4 January Martyrs Day DRC a sovereign, independent state.” 12 January Zanzibar Revolution Day Tanzania He believed that the independence of his country is not complete without that of the 15 January John Chilembwe Day Malawi whole region, and he supported that. 16 January Heroes Day (Laurent Kabila) DRC Tanganyika’s independence hence became an inspiration to other African countries, 17 January Heroes Day (Patrice Lumumba) DRC and Dar es Salaam was the place that young people of the national liberation movements 28 January Thaipoosam Cavadee Mauritius wanted to go to… north to Dar es Salaam “the haven of peace”, the place of freedom and 1 February Abolition of Slavery Mauritius unity – uhuru na umoja in the lyrical language of KiSwahili, itself a language of unity as 3 February Heroes Day Mozambique it grew from the roots of several other languages. 4 February National Armed Struggle Day Angola The legacy of Mwalimu Nyerere and that of his student, Benjamin Mkapa will countiue 12 February Chinese Spring Festival Mauritius to give us echoes of African unity, peace and regional solidarity. r 21 February National Youth Day Zimbabwe 22 February Public Holiday Zimbabwe
A shared future within a regional community