SADCPF 17TH PLENARY SESSION UPDATE

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SADC-PF 17TH PLENARY SESSION UPDATE

• Presented jointly by
• Dudu Lenzie
• Matthew Parks

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Theme of the Session

• A review of the role of the SADC Parliamentary
  Forum in promoting democratic elections

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SA Parliaments 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

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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)

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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 RECs 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).

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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.

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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-PFs doc is more comprehensive and
  elaborates on election observation.
• SADC doc is heavy on election principles and weak
  on election management.

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Comparison btwn the SADC-PF SADC Election
Documents
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Differences btw SADC-PF Election Doc SA
Electoral Laws
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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
• Theres need to have national consensus by
  involving political parties civil society in
  introducing such reform
• Change of mindset crucial

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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 womens movements
• The general disadvantages women face,
  politically, socially, culturally and
  economically

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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.

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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

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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 GMOs

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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

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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

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Comments and Questions