Elias Magosi, the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has commended the recent developments towards transforming the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a fully-fledged regional parliament. His remarks came after President Duma Boko of Botswana signed the agreement to amend the SADC treaty, a critical step in paving the way for the establishment of the proposed SADC Parliament.
Magosi emphasized the importance of the move, describing it as a significant milestone in the evolution of SADC’s institutional framework. He noted that the creation of the regional parliament would not only symbolize greater unity and integration within the region but also play a crucial role in enhancing democratic governance, ensuring effective oversight, and harmonizing laws across SADC member states. These goals are vital for advancing the shared aspirations of the region’s people.
However, Magosi pointed out that Mauritius remains the only SADC member state yet to sign the agreement, and he called for all member states to expedite the process. He further urged the active involvement of the region’s parliaments in ensuring the swift ratification of all regional instruments, underscoring that a collaborative approach would expedite the realization of SADC’s broader goals.
The establishment of a regional parliament is seen as an essential step in strengthening SADC’s governance structures, providing a platform for greater political dialogue, and fostering deeper integration among its members. Magosi’s call reflects the growing recognition of the need for a more robust institutional framework to address the diverse challenges faced by the region.
