Sardc, Sadc Parliamentary Forum sign MOU

Sunday Mail Reporter

The Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) and the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) last week signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in supporting the implementation of regional programmes.

The MOU was signed by SARDC executive director Mr Munetsi Madakufamba and SADC PF secretary-general Ms Boemo Sekgoma on the sidelines of the 26th SARDC board meeting in Windhoek, Namibia.

In his remarks after signing the MoU, Mr Madakufamba said formalisation of the long-standing co-operation between SARDC and SADC PF was crucial in assisting member states with implementation of decisions made by the SADC summit and other regional structures.

“There are a lot of policies that have been put in place. We are talking about no less than 30 SADC protocols that have been adopted in various areas and parliaments play an important role in making sure that those protocols are aligned with national policies and laws,” said Mr Madakufamba.

“As the SARDC, we package these policies in a manner that can be understood by the broader public and, in the process, make it easier for member states to identify areas that require action on their part.”

Ms Sekgoma said the agreement will assist SADC PF with documenting and profiling the role of parliaments in facilitating regional integration and documenting citizen engagement processes of participatory democracy.

“We have been having these public hearings with no insightful documentation on the various regions of SADC,” said Ms Sekgoma.

She said the lack of up-to-date documentation has resulted in gaps in knowledge about how, for instance, regional integration issues are perceived in various countries.

SARDC board chairperson, Professor Peter Katjavivi described the MoU as the beginning of “an exciting journey of partners as we
pursue the agenda for development of our region.”

“We are embarking upon something very exciting. It’s a journey of partnership between the work that we do as a regional research body or think tank and working with you as leaders of our various national parliaments, coordinated by you at the secretariat level,” said Prof Katjavivi.

Signing of the MOU came at a time SADC PF is being transformed into the SADC Regional Parliament, following approval of the change by the 41st SADC Summit held in Malawi in 2021.