https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250327/botswana-signs-agreement-to-transform-sadc-parliamentary-forum-into-regional-parliament-1071303316.html
Botswana Signs Agreement to Transform SADC Parliamentary Forum Into Regional Parliament
Botswana Signs Agreement to Transform SADC Parliamentary Forum Into Regional Parliament
Sputnik Africa
The treaty amendment aims to transform the SADC Parliamentary Forum (PF), established in 1997, into a regional parliament with enhanced legislative powers... 27.03.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-03-27T12:58+0100
2025-03-27T12:58+0100
2025-03-27T12:58+0100
politics
duma boko
botswana
southern africa development community (sadc)
southern africa
zimbabwe
sub-saharan africa
treaty
parliament
policy
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Botswanan President Duma Boko signed an agreement to amend the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Treaty on Wednesday, aiming to establish the SADC Parliament as one of the organization's key institutions.During the signing ceremony, Boko described the initiative as "a political decision" and urged SADC member countries to align their laws in order to tackle regional challenges effectively.Dithapelo Keorapetse, the speaker of the Botswanan National Assembly, commended the SADC Parliamentary Forum for its efforts in promoting good governance and regional integration.Advocate Jacob Mudenda, the Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum transformation lobby group, referred to the occasion as "a huge leap forward" in the forum's transformation efforts.The Parliament of Zimbabwe emphasized that the signing marks the completion of 11 years of diplomatic and legislative efforts, with Botswana becoming the 14th Member State to sign the Agreement aimed at transforming the SADC PF into the SADC Regional Parliament.The transition to the SADC Parliament aims to enhance legislative authority, strengthen regional integration, improve representation and accountability, and promote good governance and democracy within the SADC region.Key changes include empowering the SADC Parliament to draft and adopt binding regional laws, moving beyond the advisory role of its predecessor, the SADC PF. The parliament will comprise representatives from national parliaments, boosting its democratic legitimacy, and will foster inter-parliamentary cooperation on trade, security, and environmental issues. Plans for sustainable funding and operational mechanisms aim to ensure effective participation and functionality among member states.
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https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250201/sadc-committed-to-safeguarding-its-citizens-zimbabwes-preseident-says-1070451496.html
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politics, duma boko, botswana, southern africa development community (sadc), southern africa, zimbabwe, treaty, parliament, policy
politics, duma boko, botswana, southern africa development community (sadc), southern africa, zimbabwe, treaty, parliament, policy
Botswana Signs Agreement to Transform SADC Parliamentary Forum Into Regional Parliament
Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
The treaty amendment aims to transform the SADC Parliamentary Forum (PF), established in 1997, into a regional parliament with enhanced legislative powers. This change requires a majority, if not all, of the SADC member states to sign the agreement for it to be implemented. Botswana thus joined the countries who have already signed the treaty.
Botswanan President Duma Boko
signed an agreement to amend the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Treaty on Wednesday, aiming to establish the SADC Parliament as one of the organization's key institutions.
During the signing ceremony, Boko described the initiative as "a political decision" and urged SADC member countries to align their laws in order to tackle regional challenges effectively.
Dithapelo Keorapetse, the speaker of the Botswanan National Assembly, commended the SADC Parliamentary Forum for its efforts in promoting good governance and regional integration.
Advocate Jacob Mudenda, the Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum transformation lobby group, referred to the occasion as "a huge leap forward" in the forum's transformation efforts.
"The signature represents a huge leap in many respects, but especially because Botswana is also the seat of the SADC Secretariat, which is at the heart of all SADC operations. A signature by Botswana thus gives renewed confidence and impetus to the transformation agenda of the Forum," he said.
The Parliament of Zimbabwe
emphasized that the signing marks the completion of 11 years of diplomatic and legislative efforts, with Botswana becoming the 14th Member State to sign the Agreement aimed at transforming the SADC PF into the SADC Regional Parliament.
The transition to the SADC Parliament
aims to enhance legislative authority, strengthen regional integration, improve representation and accountability, and promote good governance and democracy within the SADC region.
Key changes include empowering the SADC Parliament to draft and adopt binding regional laws, moving beyond the advisory role of its predecessor, the SADC PF. The parliament will comprise representatives from national parliaments, boosting its democratic legitimacy, and will foster inter-parliamentary cooperation on trade, security, and environmental issues. Plans for sustainable funding and operational mechanisms aim to ensure effective participation and functionality among member states.
