Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata in VICTORIA FALLS
SENIOR legal officials from Justice ministries and offices of Attorneys General across Sadc convene in Victoria Falls today ahead of the 44th Sadc Committee of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General, where regional legal reforms, the revival of the regional tribunal and harmonisation of laws will dominate discussions.
The officials are expected to prepare technical documents and recommendations for consideration by ministers and attorneys general at the high-level meeting scheduled for June 5.
The session will be chaired by Mmamoloko Kubayi in her capacity as chairperson of the Sadc Committee of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys-General.
Speaking ahead of the gathering, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Vimbai Nyemba said Zimbabwe was honoured to host the regional meeting, describing it as recognition of the country’s standing in legal and governance matters within the region.
“The Meeting of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General is happening here in Zimbabwe and it is the 44th session being hosted by SADC in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the Government of Zimbabwe. We are happy to be hosts because this comes with a lot of benefits to us as the hosts,” she said.
Mrs Nyemba said the event would not only strengthen Zimbabwe’s regional profile, but also contribute to tourism and economic activity.
“We are also going to see tourists coming in and it is part of tourism and economic development. It is also good because we are seen internationally as a governance leader within SADC. We lead in terms of legal services, so we are happy to host this summit,” she said.
Legal experts from the 16-member regional bloc will meet from today until June 4 before presenting their recommendations to ministers and attorneys general.
The meeting comes as SADC countries intensify efforts to align legal frameworks to support regional integration and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“The reason for all this is that, for ease of doing business, we need legal instruments that are aligned in the region.
“We need legal instruments that speak to each other. We are also now moving into the African Free Trade Area, and this requires a lot of collaboration. This is one of the things that we are doing to make sure that we ease the way we do business because we need legal frameworks that enable that business to happen,” said Mrs Nyemba.
According to SADC, the meeting is intended to provide legal oversight and strategic guidance on regional cooperation, governance and the harmonisation of laws among member states.
A major item on the agenda will be the proposed re-operationalisation of the SADC Tribunal, which was suspended in 2012.
“One thing that the committee of ministers will look at is the re-operationalisation of the tribunal,” she said.
The ministers are also expected to consider a study examining which regional matters should be implemented through protocols and which may be addressed through alternative SADC legal instruments.
Other key issues include recommendations for the appointment of judges to the SADC Administrative Tribunal, consideration of a draft agreement amending the SADC Treaty and proposals to review the SADC Protocol on Legal Affairs.
