SADC leaders have resolved to reserve October 25 2019 as a day when the 16-member states would conduct activities to jointly call for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
The position was communicated by the regional body’s executive secretary, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, as she read out the communique to mark the end of the 39th Ordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Read part of the communique:
“…..12. Summit noted the devastating effects of tropical cyclones in the Union of Comoros, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe and expressed its sympathy, and commended all Member States and International Cooperating Partners for the humanitarian support rendered to the affected Member States.
13. Summit directed the SADC Secretariat to expedite the operationalization of the SADC Disaster Preparedness and Response Mechanism as part of the regional measures to respond to effects of climate change.
14. Summit noted the good progress towards representation of women in politics and economic decision making and urged Member States to translate laws and policies into concrete actions, such as legislative quotas on women’s representation in politics and the application of Article 5 of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development on Special Measures.
15. Summit noted the adverse impact on the economy of Zimbabwe and the region at large, of prolonged economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, and expressed solidarity with Zimbabwe, and called for the immediate lifting of the sanctions to facilitate socio-economic recovery in the country.
16. Summit declared the 25th October as the date on which SADC Member States can collectively voice their disapproval of the sanctions through various activities and platforms until the sanctions are lifted.
17. Summit approved Kiswahili as the Fourth SADC Official Working Language, in recognition of its contribution, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere’s role in the liberation struggle of Southern Africa.”
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates