SADC Parliamentary Forum 2005 Plenary Assembly: briefing

Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
31 May 2006
SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM 2005 PLENARY ASSEMBLY: BRIEFING

Chairperson: Mr D Sithole (ANC)

Documents handed out
Report of South African delegation to the 19th Plenary Assembly of SADC Parliamentary Forum
Summary of Report: Report of the South African Delegation to the 19th Plenary Assembly of .SADC-PF

SUMMARY
The Parliamentary Research Unit briefed Members about the 19^th Plenary Assembly of the of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) held from 8 – 17 December 2005 in Botswana. A summary of the Report was provided with recommendations for the Committee. Members needed to recognise the important role of the SADC-PF in stability and democracy in the region. The SADC-PF required considerable financial and technical assistance to fulfil its purposes.

Members were satisfied with the Report but noted the various problems in the region. The Chairperson requested that Reports be drafted promptly to avoid a backlog. Recommendations would be made to the South African Parliament to help with the efficiency of the SADC-PF. The next Plenary Assembly Session should deal further with regional cooperation, HIV/ AIDS and female representation.

The next three meetings of the Committee would cover briefings from the Spanish Ambassador and the United Nations Armed Force Commander in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Department would also provide updates on Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

MINUTES

SADC Parliamentary Forum briefing
A summary of the Report was provided by Mr Jazze Mokoena, from the Parliamentary Research Unit.
The written report stated that the theme of the session "was the redefining of strategic priorities of the SADC-PF to mainstream parliamentary dimensions for regional integration".

Mr Mokoena identified the members of the South African delegation and the countries represented at the session. No opposition party from Namibia had attended.

Reports were provided by the Legal Sub-Committee; the Committee on Democracy, Gender and Conflict Resolution/ Peace Building; the Committee on Inter-parliamentary Co-operation; the Committee on Regional integration; the Committee on HIV/AIDS, and the Committee on the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus. Reports were also given by the Chairperson, the Secretary-General and the Treasurer.

Mr Mokoena stressed the importance of the Vision and Mission of the SADC-PF. These included the promotion of parliamentary participation in regional decision-making, information sharing and the facilitation of effective parliamentary practices. A number of issues had to be followed-up at the next meeting, including financial and technical matters, as well as South Africa’s participation in the SADC-PF. Information sharing, capacity building, feedback mechanisms and engagement with the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) processes were prioritised.

Discussion
Reverend M Khumalo (ANC) stated that it had been difficult to deal with issues of regional parliament support. Clarity on the purpose and function of the regional parliament was needed. He was concerned about the capacity of institutions.

The degree of adherence to the Pan-African Parliament Protocol concerning the representation of women in the delegations was disappointing. Many delegations had stuck to the minimum requirement for female representation. SADC should consider taking a declaration that required a minimum of two women in SADC parliaments. He asked whether the SADC-PF was a ‘legislation board’.

The Chairperson stated that Members should read the Protocol to familiarise themselves with the conditions. Rectification of the Protocol could be done once Members had discussed it.

Ms S Camerer (DA) asked why there had been no Namibian opposition party at the session. She requested some clarity on the treatment of Members of Parliament at the airports. Mr W Seremane (DA) also felt that MPs required special treatment at airports.

Mr Mokoena added that many MPs from the SADC region had flown to their destinations via South African airports. The Namibian opposition parties had excused themselves.

Dr A Luthuli (ANC) questioned the purpose of the SADC Parliamentary Forum when the PAP existed. The South African Parliament’s resources were stretched. The treatment of MPs at the airports was important because it was the first view visitors had of the county.

Mr Mokoena responded that the purpose of the SADC-PF was linked to the Vision provided in the report. The region required the separation of powers among the three branches of government. This would maintain and promote democracy in the region and not concentrate too much power in the executive branch.

The Chairperson noted that the necessity for SADC-PF would be recognised once the Committee dealt with
the Protocol. The SADC-PF was important because South Africa had found itself in a difficult position in the region. South Africa could not assist the region because there had been no regional body to set a Code of Conduct. For example, there had been a problem with the economic partnership with the European Union (EU). Due to the export problem, the EU could not engage with all the SADC countries. Another difficult matter had been that the Economic Development Fund (EDF) had cut 30 million Euros for SADC assistance because the SADC countries had not been able to spend all the aid.

Mr Seremane (DA) was concerned about the problems. He requested that a programme be set up to assist the Committee in dealing with the issues. Briefings should be provided regularly so that the distribution of information could happen quickly.

The Chairperson stated that recommendations would be made to Parliament to help with the efficiency of the SADC-PF. The next Plenary Assembly Session should deal further with regional cooperation, HIV/ AIDS and female representation.

The next three meetings for the Committee would cover briefings from the Spanish Ambassador and the United Nations Armed Force Commander in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Department would also provide updates on Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

The meeting was adjourned.