By Alexandra Lesieur (AFP)
WINDHOEK — Namibia's president opened a regional summit Monday calling on leaders to cement the democratic gains made since the Southern African Development Community was created 30 years ago.
"Our region has established a strong democratic culture in which political transition is regularly achieved through the ballot box," Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba said at the opening.
"As a result, our region has continued to enjoy peace and stability which are prerequisites for sustained economic growth."
The region first organised itself as the Front Line States in 1980 to coordinate nationalist struggles in Namibia and South Africa.
At the time, Zimbabwe had just been born with the fall of the white Rhodesian government after a bloody bush war. Angola and Mozambique were still embroiled in gruesome civil wars.
Now, except for unrest in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the region's wars have ended. Democratic South Africa has established itself as a voice for the developing world in global forums like the Group of 20.
Angola has emerged as Africa's largest oil exporter and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
The summit's official agenda centres on increasing economic cooperation among the bloc's 15 members, mainly on overcoming delays on a customs union meant to start this year.
The leaders will also consider plans to merge the region's free trade area with two other African blocs -- the East African Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Some countries belong to more than one grouping, which has complicated efforts to implement their differing trade rules.
The public agenda comprises mostly self-congratulatory speeches on SADC's anniversary, but the leaders will also discuss political troubles in Zimbabwe and Madagascar.
Zimbabwe's power-sharing pact had called for a referendum on a new constitution last month, to pave the way for fresh elections after the violent and inconclusive polls of 2008.
The constitutional process has barely gotten off the ground, but the new government has brought the first economic growth in over a decade.
South Africa's foreign ministry said President Jacob Zuma, the regional mediator in Zimbabwe, will present a mixed review.
"Economically, progress has already been noted in Zimbabwe with the positive development trends arising from the economic rehabilitation programmes," the ministry said in a statement.
Regional justice ministers will also report on Zimbabwe's refusal to recognise three decisions by the SADC regional court allowing white farmers to stay on their land despite President Robert Mugabe's land reforms.
Madagascar remains suspended from SADC, over strongman Andry Rajoelina's ouster of President Marc Ravalomanana in a coup in March 2009.
Rajoelina last week signed a new agreement with 99 political parties, including Ravalomanana's, that calls for a constitutional referendum in November, parliamentary elections in March and a first round presidential vote on May 4, 2011.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gu6QNDAs3dTpsM4Uowt7X4nKJAjg
WINDHOEK — Namibia's president opened a regional summit Monday calling on leaders to cement the democratic gains made since the Southern African Development Community was created 30 years ago.
"Our region has established a strong democratic culture in which political transition is regularly achieved through the ballot box," Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba said at the opening.
"As a result, our region has continued to enjoy peace and stability which are prerequisites for sustained economic growth."
The region first organised itself as the Front Line States in 1980 to coordinate nationalist struggles in Namibia and South Africa.
At the time, Zimbabwe had just been born with the fall of the white Rhodesian government after a bloody bush war. Angola and Mozambique were still embroiled in gruesome civil wars.
Now, except for unrest in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the region's wars have ended. Democratic South Africa has established itself as a voice for the developing world in global forums like the Group of 20.
Angola has emerged as Africa's largest oil exporter and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
The summit's official agenda centres on increasing economic cooperation among the bloc's 15 members, mainly on overcoming delays on a customs union meant to start this year.
The leaders will also consider plans to merge the region's free trade area with two other African blocs -- the East African Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Some countries belong to more than one grouping, which has complicated efforts to implement their differing trade rules.
The public agenda comprises mostly self-congratulatory speeches on SADC's anniversary, but the leaders will also discuss political troubles in Zimbabwe and Madagascar.
Zimbabwe's power-sharing pact had called for a referendum on a new constitution last month, to pave the way for fresh elections after the violent and inconclusive polls of 2008.
The constitutional process has barely gotten off the ground, but the new government has brought the first economic growth in over a decade.
South Africa's foreign ministry said President Jacob Zuma, the regional mediator in Zimbabwe, will present a mixed review.
"Economically, progress has already been noted in Zimbabwe with the positive development trends arising from the economic rehabilitation programmes," the ministry said in a statement.
Regional justice ministers will also report on Zimbabwe's refusal to recognise three decisions by the SADC regional court allowing white farmers to stay on their land despite President Robert Mugabe's land reforms.
Madagascar remains suspended from SADC, over strongman Andry Rajoelina's ouster of President Marc Ravalomanana in a coup in March 2009.
Rajoelina last week signed a new agreement with 99 political parties, including Ravalomanana's, that calls for a constitutional referendum in November, parliamentary elections in March and a first round presidential vote on May 4, 2011.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gu6QNDAs3dTpsM4Uowt7X4nKJAjg