THE southern Africa regional bloc has stepped up efforts to transform the Sadc Parliamentary Forum into a full-fledged Parliament, with a delegation this week meeting Botswana President Mokgwetsi Masisi for his support for the agenda.
The Sadc Parliamentary Forum is seeking to secure support to transform itself into a full-fledged regional Parliament aimed at boosting co-operation and integration among member States.
A high-level delegation led by Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda on Tuesday met Masisi in Botswana.
The delegations comprised speakers of parliaments from Sadc member States, among other delegates.
In his address, Mudenda said the proposal for the Sadc Parliament would not interfere with the authority of member States.
“The transformation is grounded solely on an increase in linkages between Sadc organs, with the regional Parliament having a deliberative parliamentary role among other regional responsibilities,” he said.
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“The establishment of the Sadc Parliament will complete the institutional framework of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), filling a long-standing gap.”
Mudenda called on Masisi to sign the agreement to create a regional Parliament, saying it will play a crucial role in promoting the regional bloc’s comprehensive integration, especially in line with the current focus on industrialisation.
“This will allow us to move forward together as a united region, strengthening parliamentary democracy and advancing the developmental goals of Sadc citizens. The Sadc Parliament will be the fifth anchor to PAP, which to date has been the missing gap,” he said.
“This will enable us to march together as a united region for the common good of parliamentary democracy and the developmental aspirations of the Sadc citizenry.”
Masisi pledged to sign the agreement amending the Sadc Treaty to establish the Parliament.