Story by Tarirai Madhuyu
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has reiterated its call for the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.
As the 44th SADC Summit wrapped up at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden this Saturday, the SADC Executive Secretary, Mr Elias Magosi read out a communique detailing issues that were discussed and agreed upon by the regional Heads of State and Government.
The major takeaway from the Summit resolutions is the call for the removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.
“SADC also reiterated the call made during the 39th Summit of the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and acknowledged their impact on the ordinary citizenry,” he said.
On the economic front, SADC took note of the implementation of the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement.
“SADC also took note of the entering into full force of the agreement of establishing the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement among the common markets for Eastern and Southern Africa and also implored SADC member states to tap into an expanded market in the SADC Region,” he added.
In his briefing, Mr Magosi also revealed the adoption and signing of a declaration on the protection of people with albinism, “SADC has also adopted and signed the declaration and protection of people with albinism signifying the collective efforts of Southern member states to take necessary measures at national and regional levels to solve challenges faced with persons with albinism.”
On health matters, SADC noted the United Nations (UN)’s declaration of Mpox as a public health emergence, hence the need for member states to take collective efforts to overcome its impact in the region.
“SADC also noted the mpox situation on the continent and in the Southern region hence the declaration by UN as a public health emergency therefore member state are urged to increase surveillance of the disease, diagnostic, testing and clinical care. Sadc directed an urgent meeting for ministers of health to assess the impact of mpox and facilitate coordinated regional response control measures,” he explained.
SADC also acknowledged the effects of climate change, mass killings of civilians in Palestine as well as the peaceful elections held in the DRC, Eswathini, Madagascar, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
