Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
Washington (DC): The SADC Executive Secretary, Dr. Kaire Mbuende says the recent SADC military and political intervention in Lesotho and the DRC were aimed at preventing the demilitarisation of politics in those countries.
Speaking in an interview with one of the leading daily newspapers here, The Washington Times, Mbuende said the SADC interventions were aimed at creating a conducive environment for political dialogue in both countries.
"As a result of these interventions, consultations are underway for a cease-fire in the DRC and in Lesotho, agreement had been reached by both sides to the conflict to hold fresh elections in 15 to 18 months", he noted.
Mbuende said SADC Member States are committed to ensuring that politics in the region remain outside the realm of the military.
SADC has demonstrated to the world that it has the capacity to solve the region's political and economic problems. This, he emphasised, should give international investors confidence in the SADC region as the most attractive investment destination.
He lamented the continued low flows of foreign direct investment, despite rigorous efforts by SADC Member States to reform their economies to make them attractive to investors. SADC currently boasts of sustained economic growth over the past four years, single digit inflation, low tariffs and reduced budget deficits. Southern Africa should not be a victim of the loss of confidence in emerging markets as a result of the Asian crisis. Southern Africa has weathered the crisis without external support and the economy of the region has good prospects for growth in spite of the imminent global economic recession.
Mbuende urged United States investors to seize the numerous investment opportunities in the region, especially in areas such as mining and agriculture. He said the return on investment in SADC stands at 30 per cent.
Mbuende has been holding consultations with the U.S,. government on cooperation with SADC, most which would soon be taking place under the auspices of the SADC/U.S. Forum that will be launched early next year.
The SADC chief also held consultations on SADC cooperation with the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the U.S. private sector.
SADC Information Unit Gaborone 12 October, 1998