Report of the South African Parliamentary Delegation to the 18th Plenary Assembly Session of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum, held at Ezulwini, Swaziland from 29 May to 3 June 2005.
The full report is available from office of Clerk of the Papers.
Executive Summary of the Report
Introduction
This report constitutes the report of South Africa’s parliamentary delegation to the 18th Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum’s Plenary Assembly held in Ezulwini, Swaziland from 29 May – 3 June 2005. The delegation comprised of the following:
The Hon Speaker Ms B Mbete (Head of the Delegation)
The Hon Ms F Hajaig
The Hon Ms M Madlala
The Hon Mr W J Seremane
The Hon D J Sithole
`
Support staff included: Ms A Barnard, Ms G Constable, Dr F Khan and Ms N Mpuntsha.
The theme and main focus of the 18th Plenary Assembly was, ‘Challenges in the implementation of SADC Protocols’.
The meetings were attended by the Presiding Officers and representatives of 11 of the 12 Member States of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF or the Forum).
Opening Session – Addresses
The host Speaker, Hon S’gayoyo Charles Magongo, highlighted the commitment of the Parliament of Swaziland to the Principle of the Rule of Law, good governance and the promotion of gender equity and gender mainstreaming.
The Chairperson of SADC-PF, Hon Amusaa Mwanamwambwa highlighted the fact that SADC celebrates 25 years of progress this year, which presented an opportunity to take stock and measure the extent to which the quality of life hadimproved in the region.
The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland, the Rt Hon Absalom Themba Dlamini noted that for 25 years, SADC has acted as a forum to discuss problems and matters of common interest in the region – it could thus be a shining example to the rest of Africa.
In her Vote of Thanks, the Speaker of the South African Parliament, the Hon Ms Baleka Mbete, stated that the destinies of Swaziland and South Africa are linked, in many instances, through family ties and that integration among the countries of the region was important despite the artificial boundaries imposed by colonial history.
Executive Committee Meetings – Key Issues
The Legal Sub-Committee considered the admission of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to SADC-PF and recommended that the DRC be admitted.
The Steering Committee on Human Resources facilitated the appointment of seven professional staff members to the Secretariat.
The Chairperson of SADC-PF reported on a courtesy visit paid to the President of South Africa, His Excellency, Thabo Mbeki, at which the issue of the establishment of a SADC Parliament was discussed.
The Secretary–General reported on the election observation programme, in accordance with which elections will be observed in Mauritius and Tanzania this year, and in Zambia, Angola and the DRC in 2006.
The Treasurer reported that, in order to cope with rising expenditure, annual mandatory contributions from Member States would be increased to R858 000 p.a. Member States were also urged to pay their current contributions and settle their arrears before June 2005.
Standing Committee Meetings – Key Issues
The Committee on Democracy, Gender and Conflict Resolution / Peacebuilding noted that:
SADC-PF Chapters should be established at national Parliaments.
In terms of election observation, while the principle of sovereignty would be upheld, it was nonetheless important to continue the practice of observing elections in Member States.
While Country Reports showed a trend towards greater gender sensitivity, there are still many gaps in the implementation of the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development.
The Committee on Inter-parliamentary Co-operation noted that:
There were inadequate lines of communication and exchange of information between the Forum and other regional (such as the Pan African Parliament – PAP) and international parliamentary bodies.
National Parliaments should create awareness of the work and importance of the Forum.
SADC Heads of State need to be sensitised about the importance of establishing a SADC Parliament.
The Committee on Regional Integration noted that:
National Parliaments should play a decisive role in the approval of loans and that parliamentarians should reinforce their oversight role and ensure that loans are used for their stated purposes.
There was insufficient information about NEPAD and that, in order for the contribution of parliamentarians to be more effective, there needs to be more consultation at both grassroots and parliamentary levels.
The Committee on HIV and AIDS noted that:
Despite all the interventions and programmes detailed by the various Country Reports, the infection rate is on the rise.
The proposed Action Plan that addressed the problems identified, should be implemented.
The Committee on the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus noted that:
Advocacy and lobbying missions to encourage greater women’s representation in national Parliaments will be undertaken to Mauritius, Zambia and Angola this year.
While women’s representation rose from 17,9% to 19,2% during the 1997 - 2005 period, the levels of representivity remained below 15% in most Member States.
Plenary: Thematic Session – Key Issues
The theme of this session was, ‘Challenges in the implementation of SADC Protocols: The role of parliaments in the management of cross-border natural resources’. The key points made were:
There is concern over the slow ratification of SADC Protocols.
The latest three Protocols to be ratified all deal with the management of cross-border natural resources, viz. the Revised Protocol on Shared Watercourses; the Protocol on Fisheries; and the Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement.
The objective of these Protocols is to establish common approaches to the conservation and sustainable utilisation of cross-border natural resources on a basis of equity, and to assist with the effective enforcement of laws governing those resources.
Common challenges for all the Protocols include: lack of political will; limited financial and human resources; high poverty levels.
Parliaments need to play their role in facilitating the ratification and implementation of SADC Protocols.
Another theme dealt with in this session was the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It was noted that:
The MDGs set a number of goals and targets for monitoring human development by 2015.
Few Less Developed Countries (LDCs), which include some SADC countries, will meet these targets by 2015.
The attainment of the MDGs will not succeed without a very significant increase in both resources and effort.
The attainment of the MDGs is inextricable from the attainment of larger freedoms such as peace and security; good governance; human rights; effective socio-economic policies.
Plenary: Policy Session – Key Issues
The establishment of a SADC Parliament:
A decision is required on the establishment of a SADC Parliament.
The concerns of some Heads of State, to the effect that the expenses for this institution would be a drain on the region’s resources should be addressed through the provision of more data on the budget required for its establishment and operation.
Application by the DRC:
The Plenary Assembly unanimously approved the application by the Parliament of the DRC for admission as the 13th member of SADC-PF.
MDGs:
There is unsatisfactory progress made by the region in attaining the MDGs.
Funding for measures to attain the MDGs should be reflected in the budgets of national Parliaments.
African Debt:
Parliaments should initiate relevant constitutional and legislative reforms to ensure that their role in the debt contraction process is further enhanced and institutionalised.
HIV and AIDS:
A plan of action for national Parliaments (which covered prevention, treatment, discrimination, cultural practices and the care of Orphans and Vulnerable Children) to address the continued increase in the rates of HIV infections was approved.
Future Plenary Sessions:
The 19th Plenary Session will be held in Botswana in December 2005 and the 20th in Mozambique in June 2006.
Issues for the South African Parliament to follow up
Submit Country Reports for all five Standing Committees.
Submission of reports on the Global Fund showing amounts accessed to date; utilisation of such amounts and problems encountered.
Consideration and finalisation of the draft Protocol on the Establishment of the SADC Parliament.
Submission of a report on the ratification of all SADC Protocols to date.
Submission of a report on the establishment and support for a national woman’s parliamentary caucus.
Submission of a report on action taken at a national level on SADC’s Norms and Standards of Elections, the SADC Principles on Democratic Elections, and South Africa’s electoral laws.
Submission of a report on action taken at a national level on the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development.
Submission of a report on action taken at a national level on NEPAD initiatives.
Submission of a report on action taken at a national level on PAP initiatives.