(SADC) Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government to consider
the regional, economic and political integration
23 October 2006
1. The SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and government was held
on Monday, 23 October 2006, at Midrand, South Africa. Summit exchanged views on
the scaling-up of the implementation of the regional economic integration,
notably the launching of the Free Trade Area (FTA) by 2008, the preparations
for the Customs Union by 2010 and SADC's position on the African Union
Government. The Extraordinary Summit was chaired by the Right Honourable
Pakalitha Mosisili, Chairperson of SADC and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of
Lesotho.
2. Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government and
representatives:
Botswana: President Festus Mogae
Democratic Republic of Congo Vice President Azarias Ruberwa
Lesotho: Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili
Madagascar: President Marc Ravalomanana
Malawi: President Bingu wa Mutharika
Mozambique: President Armando Emilio Guebuza
Namibia: Prime Minister Nahas Angula
South Africa: President Thabo Mbeki
Swaziland: Prime Minister Absalom Dlamini
United Republic of Tanzania: Prime Minister Edward Ngoyai Lowassa
Zambia: Vice-President Rupiah Banda
Zimbabwe: President Robert Mugabe
Angola: Minister of Foreign Affairs Joao Bernardo de Miranda
Mauritius: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Co-operation,
Madan M Dulloo
3. The Extraordinary Summit was agreed upon at the Ordinary SADC Summit in
August 2006, held in Maseru, the Kingdom of Lesotho. Its purpose was to review
the status of regional economic integration and to propose measures to
accelerate the implementation of the SADC economic integration agenda,
especially the Free Trade Area to be attained in 2008 and a Customs Union in
2010.
4. Summit established a Task Force comprising the Ministers responsible for
Finance, Investment and Economic Development, Trade and Industry and the SADC
Secretariat to review and propose a roadmap to reach the agreed milestones for
the implementation of the SADC integration programme.
5. The Extraordinary Summit considered the report and recommendations from
the Task Force and in particular the following aspects:
* status of regional integration
* Free Trade Area
* preparation for a Customs Union
* Macro-economic convergence
* SADC Development Fund
* institutional framework and support to implement the SADC regional economic
integration agenda.
6. Summit noted progress made in the attainment of an FTA and concluded that
the SADC Free Trade Area programme is on course and that it will be launched as
planned by 2008. However, Summit noted that SADC's trade patterns consist
mainly of commodities and that there is need to diversify the SADC economies
and increase intra-regional trade and growth. In addition, Summit noted that
the establishment of the FTA should take cognisance of developmental
integration elements such as infrastructure, poverty alleviation and
sustainable development.
7. Summit reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of a SADC Customs
Union by 2010 and directed the Ministerial Task Force to undertake and finalise
a study, which will evaluate an appropriate model for a SADC Customs Union. In
this regard, Summit directed that a road map be developed to facilitate the
implementation of the SADC Customs Union programme.
8. Summit recognised the need for complementary instruments and policies to
support regional economic integration for achieving high and sustainable
economic growth and development in order to eradicate poverty. Summit urged
Member States to formulate policies to forge convergence of SADC economies.
9. Summit reaffirmed the need to ensure that the process of deepening
integration in SADC should always observe the principle of Member States
equity, balanced development and mutual benefit.
10. Summit reaffirmed its commitment to regional economic development and in
this regard, underlined the need to mobilise resources in order to address
issues of infrastructure, food security and other supply side challenges within
the SADC region. Summit noted that it is through the development of supportive
infrastructure that the regional trade potential can be harnessed to the
benefit of the people of the region. Summit therefore reiterated that the
establishment of a Development Fund should be fast tracked.
11. Summit underlined the need to strengthen the SADC Secretariat in order
to effectively lead and co-ordinate the implementation of the SADC integration
programmes. In this respect, Summit directed that the Secretariat resources be
increased and aligned with the SADC priority programmes, which seek to scale up
the implementation of regional economic agenda.
12. Madagascar's tariff phase-down offer was accepted and Summit affirmed
their support for Madagascar and noted that Madagascar is expected to deposit
its instrument of implementation by mid-November 2006.
13. Summit noted the successful conclusion of elections in the Republic of
Zambia and congratulated the Government and the People of Zambia on outcome of
the elections which were in line with the SADC guidelines on elections.
14. Summit also expressed satisfaction with the manner with which the people
and Government of Democratic Republic of Congo conducted themselves during the
first round of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Summit called for
the same political maturity to be maintained during the second round of
Presidential elections.
15. Summit took note of the report of the Chairperson of the Ministerial
Committee of the Organ on the African Union Government.
16. Summit noted the study on the African Union Government towards the
United States of Africa and agreed that the effective establishment of the
Union Government will occur when the African Continent attains higher levels of
both economic and political integration.
17. Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of South
Africa for the warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements made at short
notice for the meetings.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
23 October 2006
