Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is expected to table a report on the ongoing negotiations in Zimbabwe and the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) at the SADC Heads of State Summit, this week.
Zuma, who is the bloc's official mediator, arrived in the Namibian capital Windhoek yesterday for a two-day summit. All three leaders of the three main parties in the coalition are expected to be in attendance.
Zuma will discuss what challenges and steps can be taken to fully implement the Global Political Agreement. Most of the outstanding issues have been dealt with, however, the swearing-in of Roy Bennett and the appointment of Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono and Attorney-General Johannes Tomana are still outstanding matters.
"The inclusive government in Zimbabwe is making some progress on the implementation of the global political agreement under the mediation of South Africa," International Relations spokesperson Saul Molobi said.
Economically, progress has already been noted in Zimbabwe with the positive development trends arising from the economic rehabilitation programmes.
In addition to Zimbabwe, the summit will address some of the sub-region's 'hotspots', which include Madagascar, Lesotho and the DRC where the leaders are expected to pronounce themselves on the matter.
The leaders are also expected to propel the region closer to regional integration through the adoption of various recommendations expected from the regional body's structures and task forces.
Emphasis will be put on the implications of the global economic crisis, the status of agriculture and food security, HIV and AIDS as well as gender. The leaders will also receive a Status Report on progress made with regard to infrastructure which is a key enabler of socio-economic development and deeper regional economic integration.
This year's summit will also coincide with the 30th anniversary since the formation of the union. There are planned activities to mark this milestone.
SADC has been in existence since 1980, when it was formed as a loose alliance of nine majority-ruled states in southern Africa known as the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC).
At the end of the summit, Namibia will take over as the chairmanship of SADC, with Minister of Trade and Industry Hage Geingob as the Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers, and President Hifikepunye Pohamba as the SADC Chairperson.
