Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata in VICTORIA FALLS
SADC will next week convene a meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General in Victoria Falls amid renewed efforts to strengthen regional legal systems, revive the Sadc Tribunal and deepen integration among member states.
The high-level meeting, scheduled for June 5, will bring together Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General from across the region to provide legal oversight and strategic guidance on governance, regional cooperation and harmonisation of laws within Sadc.
South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, will chair the meeting in her capacity as Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General.
In a statement, Sadc said the ministers will deliberate on several key legal and institutional issues affecting the region and consider draft legal instruments for recommendation to the Sadc Council of Ministers and the Summit of Heads of State and Government.
“The meeting aims to provide legal oversight and strategic guidance on regional cooperation, governance and the harmonisation of laws among Sadc Member States,” said the regional bloc.
Among the major issues on the agenda is the re-operationalisation of the Sadc Tribunal, which is expected to strengthen adherence to and interpretation of the Sadc Treaty and its subsidiary legal instruments.
The ministers will also deliberate on a study examining categories of matters that should be implemented through protocols and those that may be implemented through other Sadc legal instruments.
SADC said the committee would further consider and recommend judges for appointment to the SADC Administrative Tribunal.
Another key matter to be discussed is the Draft Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty before it is recommended to the Council of Ministers and subsequently to the Summit for adoption.
The meeting will also consider the Draft Charter Establishing the SADC Pharmaceuticals Pooled Procurement Services, an initiative aimed at creating a regional institution to coordinate pooled procurement of medicines and health commodities.
According to Sadc, the initiative seeks to reduce costs and improve access to essential medicines among member states.
The ministers are also expected to deliberate on proposals to review the Sadc Protocol on Legal Affairs in areas requiring amendment.
Another notable item on the agenda is the Draft Agreement Establishing the Sadc Tourism UNIVISA, which seeks to establish procedures and conditions for the issuance of a regional tourism visa for transit and tourism-related stays among participating states.
