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SADC-PF 17 TH PLENARY SESSION UPDATE

SADC-PF 17 TH PLENARY SESSION UPDATE. Presented jointly by Dudu Lenzie & Matthew Parks. Theme of the Session. “ A review of the role of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in promoting democratic elections ”. SA Parliament’s Delegation. Hon. Speaker Ms. B. Mbete (Head of Delegation)

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SADC-PF 17 TH PLENARY SESSION UPDATE

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  1. SADC-PF 17TH PLENARY SESSION UPDATE Presented jointly by Dudu Lenzie & Matthew Parks

  2. Theme of the Session • “A review of the role of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in promoting democratic elections”

  3. SA Parliament’s Delegation • Hon. Speaker Ms. B. Mbete (Head of Delegation) • Hon Ms F. Hajaig • Hon Ms N. Ntwanambi • Hon Mr. W. J. Seremane • Hon Mr. D. J. Sithole

  4. Addresses at the Opening Session • His Excellency BW Mkapa (Tanzania) • Her Excellency Amb.G Mongella (PAP) • Hon. Speaker P Msekwa (Tanzania) • Hon. Speaker N Motsamai (Lesotho- Chairperson of SADC PF) • Hon. Speaker MP Tjitendero (Namibia)

  5. Key Issues Raised during Opening Session • Centrality of democratic Elections in enhancing good governance, accountability, transparency, etc. • The important role of SADC-PF in promoting democratic elections in SADC. • The importance of REC’s parliamentary Fora as anchors for PAP. • The need for continued dialogue btwn regional parliamentary fora and PAP to promote info sharing. • The continued need for the prompt establishment of the SADC Parliament (2007).

  6. Key Issues during Opening Session • Need to continue lobbying Heads of State and Foreign Ministers to support the SADC Parliament • Acceleration of the attainment of 30% women rep. in positions of power. & the general implementation of the SADC gender declaration.

  7. Thematic Session topic 1 • A comparative review of the SADC-PF, SADC and AU elections docs- Dr khabele Matlosa (EISA). • Careful reading of the docs reveals no fundamental differences. • SADC-PF’s doc is more comprehensive and elaborates on election observation. • SADC doc is heavy on election principles and weak on election management.

  8. Comparison btwn the SADC-PF & SADC Election Documents

  9. Differences btw SADC-PF Election Doc & SA Electoral Laws

  10. Thematic Session Topic 2 • The Importance of Constitutional and Electoral Reforms in strengthening Democratic elections in SADC- Dr Neo Simutanyi- Univ. of Zambia • Absent/incomplete Constitutional or Electoral Reform may be the course of poor elections quality • There’s need to have national consensus by involving political parties & civil society in introducing such reform • Change of mindset crucial

  11. Thematic Session Topic 3 • Enhancing Gender Representation through the electoral Processes- Prof. Ruth Meena. • Women participation is impacted on by • Political party support • Political will of state organs • The strength of women’s movements • The general disadvantages women face, politically, socially, culturally and economically

  12. Policy Session • SADC Parliament • The 15th Plenary Assembly (Lesotho-2003) adopted the case for a SADC Parliament & other Docs produced by a Task Team of Clerks/Secretaries . • The Docs were submitted to the SADC Council of Ministers. • Council recommended that the Summit consider the Proposed SADC Parliament. • Summit welcomed the idea but rejected the urgency in the establishment. • SADC-PF EX-COM agreed on the importance of a SADC Parliament, and agreed to continue to work on the goal with more realistic time-frame.

  13. Policy Session (Cont…) • Other matters from Committee Reports • Secondment of Staff from Nat. Parls • Lifting of visa requirements • Public education on constitutional & other rights • SADC-PF to ensure the development of common policy positions for effective PAP • Linking political parties’ consts to Gender Declaration

  14. Policy Session (Cont…) • Involvement of political parties in fight against HIV/AIDS • Addressing the looming crisis of HIV/AIDS orphans • Developing a common position on GMO’s

  15. Challenges • Greater cooperation btw SADC & SADC-PF observer missions • Ensuring that recommendations of election observer mission reports are implemented • Harmonisation of Election Documents • Establishment of a SADC Parliament • Establishment of a mechanism to evaluate implementation and progress of SADC programmes • Placing Gender equality & Fight against HIV/AIDS at centre of all dev. Agendas in SADC

  16. Coming out of the 18th Plenary Session • Feedback & mandate mechanism at Nat. Parls. • Interrogation of the Election Norms & Standards/Principles • Delegates to consult on strategic areas to be included in the 2006-2010 SADC-PF strat-plan • Nat Parls should play a role in facilitating the ratification of SADC Protocols • Costing of the Establishment of the SADC Parl. • DRC admitted as the 13th member of SAD-PF

  17. Comments and Questions

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