The executive committee of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) met in Seychelles last weekend to discuss pressing issues in preparation for the 53rd Plenary Assembly. During these two days, the committee considered the proposal for the creation of a world-class International Learning Centre and Library. The vice-president of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Honourable Marie Joanne Sabrina Tour of Mauritius attended this forum. The Executive Committee meeting was officially opened by the president of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Honourable Roger Mancienne.
The event, which took place at the Eden Bleu Hotel, Eden Island and saw the participation of the seven Speakers of Parliament and seven Members of Parliament in Africa.
The President of the Republic, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan , was the guest speaker at the opening ceremony of the Executive Committee of the SADC Parliamentary Forum meeting on Saturday morning.
“I want to thank you for the honour for entrusting the presidency of the SADC PF to the Speaker of our National Assembly – my long-time colleague in politics – the Honourable Roger Mancienne. In placing your confidence in him, you have also honoured our National Assembly and our country. Although we are the smallest member country, we have always been ready to play our part in this very august organisation and indeed in all others of which we are part,” said Ramkalawan.
He added that he participated in the SADC PF for many years as a parliamentarian and had been involved in its projects for the formulation of policies and resolutions, which are achievements for the organisation, such as work on democratic elections. The president of SADC PF, Roger Mancienne, said that the transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a regional parliament is a topic discussed during the meeting held from May 27 to May 28.
“We are obligated to continue the transformation of the Forum into a SADC Regional Parliament. We are obligated to continue our advocacy efforts with our respective governments so that this important process is taken to its completion in the most efficient manner, always keeping in mind the noble objectives for which we seek this transformation,” said Mancienne during his opening speech. Several issues have been taken up by executive committee and new issues that come in relation to these, “such as agriculture, climate change, democratic rights, and so on,” said Mancienne.
