Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
Ref: SADC 1.1.2.1
9th October, 1998
Mr Terry Jones SADC National Contact Point c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs P.O. Box 656 Victoria Mahe Seychelles
Dear Mr. Jones
DRAFT PROTOCOL ON THE FACILITATION OF THE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS IN SADC
You will recall that at its meeting held at Grand Baie, Mauritius from 10th to 11th September, 1998. Council considered the draft Protocol on the Facilitation of the Movement of Persons in the SADC Region and noted that some Member States were still studying the Protocol and consulting at the national level.
You will also recall that Council approved the following:
1. that the Protocol should not be considered for adoption by the Mauritius Summit pending finalisation of internal consultations by Member States;
2. that Member States should inform the Chairman of Council on the outcome of their internal consultations.
3. that in the meantime, Member States should facilitate visa free entry of SADC citizens and nationals into their territories on the basis of bilateral arrangements and national legislation.
In the light of the above decisions of Councils, the Secretariat would like to urge those Member States that are still conducting internal consultations to expedite the process and make appropriate submissions to the Chairman of Council by 30th November, 1998. This will enable the Secretariat to finalise the processing of the said Protocol for submission to Council for approval in February, 1999, and to the Summit for adoption at its next meeting in August/September, 1999.
I thank you for your cooperation
Yours sincerely Signed by: P Ramsamy for Executive Secretary