Moses Magadza
The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Elias Magosi, has welcomed the signing of the agreement to amend the SADC Treaty to transform the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) into a regional parliament.
The agreement was signed by Botswana’s president, Advocate Duma Boko, in Gaborone on Wednesday.
Magosi described the signing as a “momentous occasion” and a critical step toward regional integration, enhanced governance, and democratic accountability.
He commended President Boko, the government of Botswana, and all leaders who contributed to achieving this milestone.
“We did not despair,” Mr Magosi said.
“There have been layers of leaders that have come before you to lay the foundation and here we are now with you signing this important instrument.”
He stressed that the establishment of a regional parliament is more than symbolic and is essential to SADC’s institutional development.
Magosi said it would enhance governance, harmonise laws, and strengthen democratic oversight across member states.
“The laws that are there need an independent voice, an independent eye that makes sure that the region and the respective member states follow laws in the manner that serves our region, our member states and our citizens,” he said.
He stressed that the establishment of a regional parliament is more than symbolic and is essential to SADC’s institutional development.
He said it would enhance governance, harmonise laws, and strengthen democratic oversight across member states.
“When we approve the agreement, there is a gap between the signature of their Excellencies at the SADC Summit and the ratification signatures. It often takes between 5 and 20 years, and we wonder what the cause of this delay is,” said Magosi.
We must commend the country and the previous leaders, but we must commend you for that you came in a short space of time, and you found it very, very important to append the signature.”
Magosi urged members of parliament across the region to take responsibility for ensuring the timely ratification and domestication of regional instruments.
“It is a plea to all of us who are Members of Parliament from the region that indeed we interrogate these instruments and assist us to move them quickly. We can be as fast as member states can be. We know we are very fast as a secretariat, but oftentimes we are delayed by member states,” he said.
He expressed hope that, pending remaining technical inputs, the instrument establishing the SADC Regional Parliament could be finalised and presented at the 45th SADC Summit in Madagascar.
“Our job, my sister (SADC PF Secretary General Ms Boemo Sekgoma) and I, is to provide advice. We want this to be signed at the 45th SADC Summit. It can be done,” he said.
Magosi called on members to protect and nurture the regional parliament so it becomes a credible and effective institution that adds value to both the region and its member states.
With Botswana’s signing, only Mauritius has yet to sign the agreement.
The Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of the SADC PF Transformation Lobbying Team, Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, expressed optimism that Mauritius will soon follow.
-Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
