The Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit held in Grand-Baie last week was a “real success.” As newly elected president, prime minister Paul Bérenger, expressed his utter satisfaction with this meeting attended by thirteen African heads of state and governments of the region. Not only have they succeeded in adopting the planned new charter but they have also addressed many issues and hopes for the future.

Although no country was named, the new charter for “free and fair elections” in SADC countries, that seemed to aim particularly at Zimbabwe, has been adopted. Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe is thus in a tight corner and will have to toe the line concerning the elections in his country next year, if he wants to continue getting the support of other African leaders.

This adoption should also help improve relations between the SADC and the democratic western block including the United States and the European Union, which have severed links with SADC on account of its leniency towards the African dictator. This is the new SADC president and Mauritian prime minister’s hope. Paul Berenger declared that SADC intends to improve relations with these two major political and economic partners. He would also like to see SADC enter into more partnerships with India and China, with which Mauritius already has strong ties.

The organisation also has other plans in the making. A major one will be to encourage regional cooperation policies among member states to adapt to globalisation and reduce poverty, still a major problem in many SADC countries.

A major event of this two-day summit was Madagascar’s request for admission into the SADC. President Marc Ravalomana attended the summit as “prospective member” and Mauritius introduced Madagascar’s candidacy. It should be accepted next year after it has stated how it will abide by its future obligations to the SADC. “Madagascar advocates regional integration. We are committed to abide by the principles and objectives of the SADC, promote peace, stability, justice and liberty as well as reduce poverty and fight AIDS,” the Malagasy president declared.

Paul Berenger also plans to fly to Botswana in October to visit SADC headquarters. The “old” project of building new headquarters for the organisation was once again on the agenda. Each country has accepted to contribute US$500,000 towards the cost of this construction.