MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / South Africa must lead SADC reform agenda

South Africa must lead SADC reform agenda

Dear Editor

South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) represents renewed hope for regional accountability. Section 11.9 of the GNU’s statement of intent mandates that South Africa’s foreign policy be based on human rights and constitutionalism. As such, our national leaders are now duty bound to take active measures to uphold and advance human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Attending the 44th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit this weekend, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lamola must lead the charge in pushing for crucial reforms within the SADC. This must begin with the urgent re-establishment of the SADC Tribunal – including measures to enhance the tribunal’s independence, strengthen its jurisdiction, and ensure compliance with its decisions.

The relatively weak SADC Secretariat – the organisation’s administrative arm – must also be strengthened. For too long the Secretariat’s powers have been limited, and it has lacked the authority to make critical decisions, facing stark resistance from member states when it attempts to deliver on its mandate. Here, the SADC’s consensus-based approach to decision-making, which leads to delays and gridlock, must be urgently revised.

Given the democratic backslide occurring in many parts of the region, it is now urgent that the SADC explore alternative decision-making mechanisms, such as implementing a weighted voting system that assigns greater influence to larger and more populous member states.

Lastly, the current troika system, particularly the “double troika” – a committee to steer and provide member states with direction regarding matters threatening peace, security and stability – requires thorough reform to eliminate Stalingrad tactics by individual member states facing scrutiny.

Until political leaders are willing to speak out against the suppression of democratic freedoms, and advance regional mechanisms to uphold the rule of law, the SADC will remain nothing but a talk shop, and with it the dream of a democratic, prosperous and economically competitive continent will remain elusive.

Regards


Emma Powell MP
DA Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation

Category: Tag:

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Congratulations to the Lotto Winner

    Dear Editor Dear Editor, I was thrilled to hear about the R8.5 million Lotto win for the community of Gqeberha. Such life-changing news brings hope and excitement to everyone in the area. I congratulate the winner and wish them all the best with their prize. May this bring positive change to their life and the…

  • Opinion on Lotto Winner News

    Dear Editor Congratulations to the lucky winner! This is truly wonderful news for the community. Regards Marina Adams In Response to/From: Congratulations to the Lucky Winner

  • Regarding Lotto Winner Story

    Dear Editor Congratulations to the winner, this is wonderful news for the community. Wishing them the best for the future. Regards Willem Pieterse In Response to/From: Re: R8.5 Million Lotto Winner Claims Prize in Gqeberha

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Do not argue with a fool because he will drag you down to his level and then beat you with experience.

  2. Fun South African Fact: The world’s largest themed resort hotel in the world – The Palace of the Lost City – is found in South Africa. Surrounding the Palace is a 25 hectare manmade botanical jungle with almost 2 million plants, trees and shrubs.