adminStaff Writer
NEWLY-elected Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, Professor Peter Katjavivi has revealed that Namibia fully supports efforts to transform the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a SADC Regional Parliament. Prof Katjavivi made this indication last week when the secretary-general of SADC PF, Dr Esau Chiviya, led SADC PF directors and managers on a courtesy call to the Speaker’s Chambers.
Describing himself as “a converted” man with respect to the genesis and aspirations of the SADC PF, Prof Katjavivi said Namibia was with those seeking the transformation of the Forum in keeping with its founding objectives.
“You are speaking to the converted. I share the vision (of a transformed SADC PF) and am particularly interested in the path that you have charted and the groups that you have formed to convince our leaders,” Prof Katjavivi said, adding that news that efforts to transform the SADC PF were intensifying was “music” to his ears.
Earlier, Dr Chiviya had briefed Prof Katjavivi on the initial objectives, success, challenges and aspirations of the SADC PF. Additionally the secretary-general had outlined steps that the SADC PF had taken as it prepared for the transformation into a SADC Regional Parliament.
The steps included requesting for a meeting of SADC speakers with the chairperson of SADC to present the case, establishing lobbying teams, making contact with the SADC executive secretary and preparing a lobbying document for SADC Heads of State and Government, the Council of Ministers and the SADC Secretariat.
Dr Chiviya said a SADC Regional Parliament was needed because as things stand the SADC Region had only two instead of three arms of government: the Executive based in Gaborone and the SADC Tribunal based in Windhoek, but is currently suspended.
“The third arm — the Legislature — is missing. There is, therefore, need for a SADC Regional Parliament to complete the three arms of SADC as a community,” Dr Chiviya explained.
He said in the establishment of SADC PF in 1997, SADC PF was viewed as a forerunner to the SADC Regional Parliament.
He said 11 SADC Member Parliaments had rallied behind the transformation of the SADC PF into a Regional Parliament by debating and passing motions to that effect.
“Some of our Heads of State and Governments have come out in support from the lobbying missions undertaken by the leadership of the Forum.”
Out of the five regions of Africa, Southern Africa is the only region that does not have a Regional Parliament. This is despite the fact that the Protocol establishing the Pan African Parliament clearly states that the PAP would be anchored on the five Regional Parliaments of Africa.
“This means that in Southern Africa, the PAP is limping,” Chiviya quipped.
He explained that a SADC Regional Parliament would facilitate the ratification, domestication and implementation of SADC Protocols.
“There are over 33 protocols that our Heads of State and Government have passed. However, less than a third of them has been implemented,” he noted.
Accordingly, Dr Chiviya said a SADC Regional Parliament would enhance the capacity of SADC to implement its policies and programmes.
“It would also enact model regional laws on issues that cut across national boundaries such as those related to the environment, the movement of people, shared water courses, trade, gender equality and transport.”
Dr Chiviya said the envisaged SADC Regional Parliament would be a legal and formal institution of SADC, reporting to the Heads of State and Government, while respecting the sovereignty of SADC Member States and their national parliaments.
“It would serve as a formal link between SADC national parliaments and the PAP to mobilise the collective voice of SADC Parliaments on issues of concern to the PAP.”
Over the years, some stakeholders have sought clarity on the financial implications of the envisaged SADC Regional Parliament.
Dr Chiviya explained that it would come at no additional cost to Member States given that the current SADC PF Secretariat in Windhoek would serve as the Secretariat of the SADC Regional Parliament. The SADC Regional Parliament would hold its sessions on a rotational basis in member parliaments in accordance with current practice.
Also, its office bearers would not be full time but would be presiding officers of national parliaments while its financing would be based on the current model of equal contribution from members parliaments.
The headquarters of a SADC Regional Parliament would continue to be in Namibia.
Online Reporter