Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Windhoek, Namibia 10 March 2001
The Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), was held in Windhoek, Namibia, on 9 March 2001, and was chaired by His Excellency, Dr Sam Nujoma President of the Republic of Namibia.
1. The Extra-Ordinary Summit was attended by:
Angola : H.E. Mr Jose Eduardo dos Santos - President
Botswana : H.E. Mr Festus Mogee - President
Democratic Republic Of Congo : H.E. Mr Joseph Kabila - President
Malawi : H.E. Dr Bakili Muluzi - President
Mozambique : H.E. Mr Joaquim Chissano - President
Namibia : H.E. Dr Sam Nujoma - President
South Africa : H.E. Mr Thabo Mbeki - President
Tanzania : H.E. Mr Benjamin W Mkapa - President
Zambia : H.E. Dr Frederick J.T. Chiluba - President
Zimbabwe : H.E. Mr Robert G. Mugabe - President
Swaziland was represented by Hon Arthur Khoza, the Deputy Prime Minister, Lesotho by Hon Tom Thabane, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Seychelles by Hon Mr Jeremie Bonnelame, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mauritius by Hon Anil Gayan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Co-operation.
2. Summit observed a minute of silence in memory of the late President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, His Excellency Laurent Desire Kabila.
3. In his address to the opening session of the Summit, the SADC Chairperson and host of the Extra-ordinary Summit, HE Dr Sam Nujoma, President of the Republic of Namibia, welcomed all delegations to the Summit. The Chairperson indicate that the objective of the Extra-ordinary Summit was to finalise the restructuring of SADC Institutions including outstanding issues on the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.
4. President Nujoma expressed the hope that an attitude of compromise, consensus and a spirit of give and take would underline the discussions on the Restructuring. He stressed the need for SADC to address the concerns of smaller SADC member States to ensure that their aspirations and interests were fully considered and their ownership of SADC would not be reduced or minimised. President, Nujoma further expressed the hope that the new streamlined and strengthened structure of SADC would enable the organisation to meet the challenges and exploit the opportunities of the 21st Century.
5. In his remarks, the Acting Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Prega Ramsamy paid tribute to the Chairperson of SADC and President of Namibia and the Government and people of Namibia for hosting the historic Extra-ordinary Summit. He pointed out that extensive consultations were undertaken on the restructuring exercise and consensus was reached. He also indicated that the new structure will place the organisation on a strong footing to enable it to squarely face the daunting regional and global challenges particularly those associated with poverty eradication.
6. Summit welcomed His Excellency President Joseph Kabila to the SADC family of Heads of State and Government. Summit assured President Kabila of SADC's continued support to the people of the Congo in their search for lasting peace.
7. Summit unanimously adopted the Report of the Review of the Operations of SADC Institutions including the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. Consequently, the SADC Treaty shall be amended accordingly.
8. Summit agreed on a Common Agenda with the following priorities:
i) The promotion of sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development that will ensure poverty alleviation with the ultimate objective of its eradication;
ii) Promotion of common political values, which are transmitted through institutions which are democratic, legitimate and effective; and;
iii) The consolidation and maintenance of democracy, peace and security
9. In order to address the strategic priorities, the Summit directed the Review Committee assisted by the Secretariat to prepare a Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan
10. With respect to the Policy Organs, the Summit agreed that the functions of Summit remain as outlined in the Treaty and approved that the Troika system be formalised and provided for in the Treaty. The Troika system will operate at the level of the Summit, the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, Council and Standing Committee of Officials.
11. The Summit considered the restructuring of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security and agreed that the structure, operations and functions of the Organ shall be regulated by the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation. The Organ will now be integrated into the SADC structures and will be co-ordinated at Summit level on a Troika basis reporting to the Chairperson of Summit. The Chairpersonship of the Organ shall be on a rotational basis for a period of one year.
12. While the functions of the Council of Ministers remain as outlined in the Treaty, the Summit established an Integrated Committee of Ministers. The Integrated Committee of Ministers will oversee the activities of the core areas of integration including the implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan.
13. With regard to the Tribunal, the Summit agreed that its functions remain provided for in the Treaty and that its establishment be expedited.
14. The Summit also agreed to create the Department of Strategic Planning, Gender and Development and Policy Harmonisation, which would strengthen the Secretariat in executing its functions, particularly strategic planning, gender mainstreaming, management and harmonisation of policies. The department will also serve as a Think-Tank for Community building, regional integration and development.
15. Summit agreed to create four Directorates at the SADC Headquarters under which all the existing sectors will be clustered according to their cross sectoral linkages. These would be: Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment; Infrastructure and Service; Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR); Social and Human Development and Special Programmes. The phasing out of existing Commissions and sectors would be undertaken within two years and directorates would be established in accordance with the following time frame:
16. Summit further agreed to ensure the sustainability of SADC through the provision of adequate financial and human resources which could be supplemented by other sources. Summit directed the Council of Ministers to finalise an equitable formula for member States contributions.
17. Summit expressed grave concern on the problem of the illicit manufacturing, stockpiling of, trafficking in, possession and use the firearms and, especially those used in the commission of violent crimes and their contribution to the high level of instability, prolonged conflict, and social dislocation that is evident in Southern Africa and the African continent as a whole. Accordingly Summit signed a Declaration on Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials as the initial stage towards the development of a regional protocol.
18. Summit expressed satisfaction with the developments in the DRC and congratulated His Excellency President Joseph Kabila for extending a hand of friendship to the opposition and opening the way for the Facilitator of the Inter-Congolese Political Dialogue to resume his work. Summit also welcomed the undertaking by the United Nations and the international community in general to deploy UN observers and peacekeepers in line with the provisions of the Lusaka Agreement.
19. With regard to the Great Lakes region, Summit expressed concern at the renewed fighting in Burundi and called for accelerated peace efforts under the current peace initiatives led by former South African President Nelson Mandela.
20. Summit reaffirmed its moral and material support to the people of Angola against continued UNITA rebel activities, which have resulted in loss of lives, massive destruction to infrastructure and the displacement of tens of thousands of people. Summit urged all SADC members States to tighten the UN Sanctions against UNITA, particularly illicit diamond trading.
21. Summit also noted with satisfaction the political developments in Lesotho, particularly the successful amendment of the constitution to facilitate the holding of elections in that country.
22. Summit appointed Dr Prega Ramsamy as the Executive Secretary of SADC for a period of four years. Dr Ramsamy is a citizen of Mauritius and an Economist by profession. Summit congratulated Dr Ramsamy for his appointment to the high office of SADC Executive Secretary.
23. Summit express sincere gratitude to Dr Prega Ramsamy who has acted as Executive Secretary since January 2000.
24. In closing the Summit, the Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency President Dr Sam Nujoma commended his colleagues for conducting their meeting in a frank, open and businesslike manner. President Nujoma said the new structure adopted by Summit puts a strong emphasis on efficiency, cost effectiveness and improved co-ordination and management in order to produce results and promote deeper integration.
25. The Deputy Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency President Dr Bakili Muluzi delivered the vote of thanks in which he paid tribute to the Chairperson's personal commitment to SADC. President Muluzi said the Summit has been a great success because SADC now knows the way forward.
26. Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of Namibia for hosting the Summit and for the warm hospitality extended to all the distinguished delegates. Summit also thanked all SADC institutions, which contribute to the success of this Summit meeting.