Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
SADC and the African Centre for Governance (ACG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see them cooperating and collaborating towards the consolidation of peace, stability and democracy in the region.
SADC Deputy Executive Secretary Dr Judith Kateera hailed the signing of the MoU as a demonstration of the potential that exists to collaborate on issues of democracy and good governance in Southern Africa.
The MoU will run for one year.
“The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Centre for Governance (ACG), a Pan-African Focused Strategy, Governance and Advisory Services firm, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a period of one-year which provides a framework of cooperation and collaboration between the two parties to contribute towards SADC’s aspirations of a peaceful, stable and secure SADC region,” the SADC Secretariat said in a statement.
“The Deputy Executive Secretary added that the signing of the MoU comes at an important period when the SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOMs) are due to be deployed to the Republics of Malawi and Seychelles and the United Republic of Tanzania between August and October 2025,” said SADC.
On his part, ACG Executive Director Mr Tumelo Mokoena highlighted that the signing of the MoU demonstrated the importance of collaboration between SADC and ACG to achieve regional goals.
“Through this MoU, the two parties will cooperate in various areas aimed at consolidating democracy and good governance in the SADC region.
“Some of these areas include, promoting the holding of regular free and fair, transparent, credible and peaceful democratic elections; promoting common political values, systems and other shared values which are transmitted through institutions; supporting the development of democratic institutions and practices, and encouraging the observance of universal human rights related to democracy as provided for in the charters and conventions of the African union and the United Nations,” said SADC.
In the 12 months of the implementation of the MoU, SADC and ACG will support the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC) Pre-Election Assessment Goodwill and Post-Election Review Missions in SADC Member States, the deployment of the SEOMs to Member States holding their General Elections in 2025 and SEOMs’ Short-Term-Observer (STO) Refresher Training as well as the in-country Long-Term Observer trainings.
SADC’s Secretariat said the MoU had been approved by the SADC Council of Ministers at its meeting held in Antananarivo a fortnight ago.
“During the countersigning of the MoU, the Deputy Executive Secretary-Corporate Affairs, was accompanied by Ms Feziwe Matsebula, Senior Officer for Planning and Programming Mr Magabolle Mafiri, Elections and Good Governance Officer, Mr Mphatso Kachule, SADC Legal Counsel and Mr Kitenge Tunda, Mediation and Peace Building Officer,” said SADC.
