… as Botswana signs Treaty Amendment Agreement

By Moses Magadza in Gaborone

GABORONE- Botswana’s Minister for State President Honourable Moeti Ceaser Mohwasa, has welcomed the signing of the Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty establishing the SADC Parliamentary Forum as “a historic step.”

The Minister spoke shortly before the President of Botswana, Advocate Duma Boko (SC) singed the Agreement on Wednesday afternoon and reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to regional unity and democratic governance.

“Today, Botswana will be taking a historic step by joining other SADC members in signing the Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty to recognise the SADC Parliament as one of the SADC Institutions,” Minister Mohwasa said.

He applauded the leadership of President Boko and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Dithapelo Lefoko Keorapetse, for their swift support and action, which enabled Botswana to actively participate in what he termed a “significant milestone in SADC’s development endeavours.”

The transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a full-fledged Parliament has been years in the making. The idea gained traction in 2018 when the SADC Summit directed Member States to consult on the proposal. The decision was solidified in 2022 when the Summit approved the transformation after extensive benchmarking with institutions such as the Pan African Parliament and the European Union Parliament.

Minister Mohwasa explained that the transformation would preserve Member States’ sovereignty while promoting regional integration.

 “Due diligence will be exercised to ensure the preservation of Member States’ sovereignty, while leveraging the Parliament to promote regional integration in line with the SADC Common Agenda and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020–2030,” he noted.

He also drew parallels between the regional initiative and Botswana’s national vision.

“This aligns very well with the vision of the new Government of Botswana to catapult the country into a developed industrialised economy whilst ensuring that the human rights of our citizens are central to all we undertake,” he said.

He paid tribute to pioneers of regional parliamentary cooperation and hailed the decision to honour Mr. Phandu Tombola Chaha Skelemani and Professor Peter Katjavivi, both former Speakers from Botswana and Namibia, respectively. Their efforts, he said, laid the groundwork for the ongoing transformation.

He noted Botswana’s strategic position in the regional bloc. Botswana currently holds two key leadership roles – Executive Secretary of SADC occupied by Mr Elias Magosi and Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum held by Ms Boemo Sekgoma, both citizens of Botswana.

“In these roles, we bear a heightened responsibility to demonstrate leadership and steer the SADC region towards greater political and economic advancement,” he said.

Minister Mohwasa called on all SADC Member States to embrace the vision of a regional Parliament.

“It is incumbent upon us to lead by example, and assure our fellow Member States that the establishment of a SADC Parliament is a step in the right direction that reflects our commitment to regional unity, cooperation, and growth,” he asserted.

-Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at the SADC PF.