The heads of state summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Botswana has ended on a positive note. Member states seem to agree on the fact that they have to consolidate the ties between them to reach their common goals in two main areas: economy and security.

The conference gave much importance to the need to create a common economic zone between SADC countries. This will be achieved in three steps: the creation of a free zone area as from 2008, the setting up of a customs union in 2010 and the implementation of a common market as from 2015.

However, countries will first have to overcome a number of obstacles before reaching such targets. They will also have to get rid of non-tariff barriers, which are difficult to identify and quantify. The commitment of member states to abide by tax reductions will play an important role in the success of the common market.

A solution should also be found to allow the countries, which are members of the SADC and of other organisations like the Comesa to respect the tax rates fixed by both. For instance, the same product can be subject to a different rating depending on the organisation; the aim is to allow the countries to honour their commitments in both organisations.

<B>UN security council</B>

The reform of the Security Council of the United Nations Organisation (UN) was also at the centre of SADC concerns. The possibility that the security council is extended from 15 members to 25 has brought much hope for African countries, which could seize the opportunity to be better represented at the UN. “Africa has to speak with one voice on the issue of the UN Security Council,” said Navin Ramgoolam, the SADC’s outgoing president.

The summit in Garborone also saw the Mauritian PM handing over the torch to the president of Botswana, Festus Mogae, to chair the SADC. The Mauritian presidency was marked by the adoption of the charter for free and fair elections while Paul Bérenger was prime minister and president of the SADC. Before the handing over, Navin Ramgoolam laid the foundation stone of the new SADC headquarters in Gaborone.

Civil society – especially the organisations involved in gender issues – must be happy to see that the organisation is taking the bull by the horns to boost women’s representation in politics in all SADC countries. The Council of ministers decided to change the SADC declaration on gender and development into a protocol, thus binding the countries involved to commit to reaching the targets. At the same time, the rate of women’s representation in politics would go up from 30% to 50%.

HIV-AIDS was also one of the main items on the official agenda at the summit as the disease is expanding and is causing much damage in Southern Africa. The heads of state discussed the issue to try and find a solution but it seems no concrete decision was made.