East African Legislative Assembly supports transformation of SADC PF
The process of transforming the SADC Parliamentary Forum ( SADC- PF) into a fully- fledged parliament with legislative powers, must be fast- tracked so that it can play its role effectively..
This was said by Dr. Woda Jeremiah at the SADC- PF 49th Plenary Assembly Virtual Session. Dr. Jeremiah stated that it is indeed important to the regional integration process to have a legislative arm with powers to pass legislation.
Such laws would be aimed at uplifting the living conditions of the people, placing them at the centre of the integration process.
The regional Parliament must also have oversight powers to ensure effective implementation of regional policies, laws, projects and programmes, accountability and time for the money hardly raised from the taxpayers.
Jeremiah pointed out that East African Legislative Assembly ( EALA) fully supports the transformation process of SADC PF into a fully- fledged regional legislature and avails itself to sharing its experience.
“I have been specifically requested to share my thoughts on the role of parliament in post- covid- 19 economic recoveries taking into account and leveraging on the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCfTA), as well as the ongoing transformation of SADC PF into a fully fledged regional parliament.
“I wish to add that I am equally impressed by the selection of the theme of the 49th Plenary Assembly Session,
‘ Leveraging the AfCFTA for postCovid economic recovery in Southern Africa: The role of SADC Parliamentary Forum and National Parliaments.’
"This theme is discussed during the hard time of the Covid- 19 pandemic which has not spared our African continent. It is with sadness that I pay tribute to members of parliaments and African people who have lost their lives.“With continued vigilance and solidarity, we shall overcome,” said Dr. Jeremiah, during the session which was hosted by Botswana Parliament.
She told the session that the other important role of parliaments is aligned with their crucial oversight function. Parliaments, she added should stand ready to oversee the implementation of governments’ commitments under the AfCFTA to avoid unnecessary delay due to bureaucracy, guarantee awareness and participation of the private sector, and ensure that its benefits reach the ordinary citizens and the poor.
“Looking at the continental level, allow me to recall that the respective RECs are building blocks for economic integration in Africa.
“The implementation of the AfCFTA marks a new step in Africa’s march towards greater integration and unity. It comes with a challenge for regional parliaments such as EALA and SADCPF: how ready are we to work together to ensure that the Covid- 19 economic recovery plans developed by our respective regional blocs are aligned with the potentials of the AfCFTA?
“Are we ready to cooperation, establish the necessary synergy in overseeing how our respective governments will implement them? These are not questions, but rather invitation extended to SADC PF to strengthen our existing inter- parliamentary engagement and dialogue in respect of leveraging the AfCFTA for post- Covid economic recovery,” explained Dr Jeremiah.
She added that, "we should be relentless in addressing our common African challenges, as we discharge our core mandate as Parliaments towards legislation, oversight and representation".
She stated that the recently concluded AfCFTA offers a golden opportunity to SADC countries and Africa as a whole to quickly recover from the economic distress that has been caused to most African countries.
“As the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa ( ECA) estimates, the AfCFTA is set to become the largest Free Trade Area ( FTA) in the global economy, covering a market of 1.2 billion people with a combined GDP of US$ 2.5 trillion, expected to reach US$ 29 trillion by 2050,” Dr. Jeremiah said. She said AfCFTA provides “an excellent policy framework for Africa to build inclusive and resilient economies post- COVID- 19.