SADC Parliamentary Forum Reveals Its Transformative History
The ongoing transformation into a SADC Parliament adds a compelling chapter to the story of greater regional integration and the harmonisation of policies and laws within the SADC region.
LILONGWE, Malawi— In a captivating development during the Third Regional Dialogue for Non-State Actors on the SADC RISDP 2020-2030, Joseph Manzi, Director of Parliamentary Business & Programmes of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, unveiled the intriguing history and transformation of the forum, writes Winston Mwale.
This inter-parliamentary organisation, spanning the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, has become a linchpin of regional cooperation.
The dialogue, held on September 13th and 14th, 2023, both virtually via Zoom and in-person, cast a spotlight on the ongoing process of evolving the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) into a fully-fledged SADC Regional Parliament.
Manzi, in his presentation, said the SADC PF's fascinating journey commenced in 1999 under Article 9 (2) of the SADC Treaty, representing all SADC member states.
Over the years, this organisation has evolved into a vital player in regional discussions and the architect of Model Laws that harmonize legislation across the SADC region.
These Model Laws have left an indelible mark on national legislative landscapes, addressing critical issues like HIV & AIDS, child marriage, elections, gender-based violence, and public financial management.
Of particular interest, the dialogue delved into the long-anticipated transformation of the SADC PF into a SADC Regional Parliament.
The intriguing narrative started in 2004 when the first proposal was presented to the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.
Despite initial setbacks, largely owing to the prominence of the Pan-African Parliament and the early stages of regional integration, a fresh proposal in 2018 laid the foundation for a gradual and incremental transition to a SADC Parliament.
The transformative proposal gained its pivotal moment of recognition in 2021 at the SADC Summit in Lilongwe, Malawi, initiating Stage 1 of the transformation. This stage involves amending Article 9(1) of the SADC Treaty to rechristen the forum as the SADC Parliament, elevating it to an official SADC organ.
Intriguingly, as of September 13, 2023, eight out of the required ten member states had already signed in support of this amendment, illustrating substantial progress in the metamorphosis of the forum into a full-fledged regional parliament.
The dialogue also revealed the dynamic nature of Model Laws, highlighting that while they are non-binding on member states, many nations have voluntarily incorporated their provisions into national policies and legislation.
To further enhance the impact of Model Laws, an enthralling proposal was put forth to establish structured planning and implementation frameworks.
These frameworks, including a Permanent Joint Task Team and Steering Committees in each member state, promise to be instrumental in raising awareness about Model Laws, identifying legislative gaps, and driving their domestication.
Manzi's captivating presentation at the dialogue not only provided intriguing insights into the history of the SADC PF but also underscored its essential role in shaping regional legislation.
The ongoing transformation into a SADC Parliament adds a compelling chapter to the story of greater regional integration and the harmonisation of policies and laws within the SADC region.