Special Petition to the SADC 44th Ordinary Summit of Heads of States scheduled for Harare on the 17th September 2024
Background
COSATU has been following the discussions, processes and proposals towards the 44th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of States. The summit is scheduled for Harare this coming weekend, 17th August 2024. It is supposed to be the region’s Pen-Ultimate Convention that delivers High impact decisions regarding the conditions of life of the people of the region.
It is meant to be the Annual State of the region gathering that receives and process a factual, honest and accurate account on the progress each country individually and the region as a whole, are making in each of the set goals and objectives as per the SADC Treaty and the various Protocols signed by member states.
COSATU has always been a very active participant on matters affecting the people of the Southern African region as a whole. This dates back to the historic role the regional trade union movement played as anchor of the working class movement against colonialism and apartheid. It was these struggles that laid the firm foundation for the founding principles that gave birth to the Southern African Development Coordination Council (SADCC at the time), now SADC as a Development Community.
Even in changing conditions, these progressive traditions, struggles and history continue to define our outlook as a detachment and upon which we base our common future as workers, as a people and as a region.
SADC has a fundamental obligation to account to the people of the region
Having outlined this important background to the evolution of SADC as a product of the historic frontline states movement, we wish to emphasise its importance to the region and its people. It was established by extraordinary compatriots of our region to unite our people in common struggle against all forms of oppression and injustice. It became consolidated officially as a development Community of shared values on the 17th August 1992 with the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration, following the liberation of Namibia and later, South Africa.
The different SADC Protocols and stated Principles on Governance, politics and cooperation outline explicitly the foundation of what constitute the shared values of the people of the region. This is with particular emphasis on multiparty democracy, a culture of human rights and inclusive economic growth for sustainable development.
The founding principles of a community of democratic, developmental and transformative values should continue to be the focus of this important vehicle of the people of Southern Africa. At the centre of all its work, gatherings and outcomes, should be the people and their common future, than self interest of individual leaders or a group of friends.
The SADC region is facing a tipping point, with the deepening levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment for the people of the region beyond geo spatial territories and national boundaries.
This is what all heads of states must focus on and the urgency of accountability on the goals of democracy, human rights and inclusive development as enshrined in the founding Treaty of SADC.
On the SADC labour market
Throughout the world and in parts of the SADC region, capital has become very mobile and moves freely across borders, whilst regulations are now outdated and not coping with the new labour market trends.
This leads to increased exploitation and abuse. It is evidently reflected in the way extremes are now glaring and pose tensions between different communities.
On the one hand, is concentration of extreme wealth and on the other, concentration of extreme poverty, hence the disruptively huge patterns of instability and generalised suffering.
Towards this end,
We are seized with the following situations;
- Consistent failure of some states to adhere to SADC Governance Protocols, lack of accountability, violations of freedom of association and right to organise by trade unions, political parties and civil society organisations, the case of Eswatini. This case is the oldest in the whole SADC region, stretching for 51 years of a perpetual state of emergency proclaimed in 1973 banning all rights and freedoms to organise, associate and express political opinions on matters affecting society or the genuine political rights of the people in general.
- Failure to adhere to the rule of law, increasing incidents of abuse of workers and their organisations, even where the constitution provides as in the case of Zimbabwe.
- The increased insecurity to human life, with ravages of war amidst extreme poverty and competition by elites, for natural resources in certain areas of the country as in the case of Mozambique
- The extreme wealth alongside dehumanising poverty, the increase of warlordism and theft of natural resources by foreign multinational companies and disregard for the local communities, as in the case of the DRC
Finally, we call on all states to prioritise Universal Health coverage (UHC) as a fundamental right for all. It is for this reason that we reaffirm our commitment to the NHI and the discussions towards a regional model of equitable, accessible and quality Healthcare for the people.
We further reaffirm our call for improvement of accessible public goods to raise the standard of living of the people in each SADC member state.
This is particularly important regarding;
- Quality and free basic education
- Safe and affordable public transport system
- Affordable and reliable energy supply
- Clean and uninterrupted supply of water for domestic and developmental needs of communities
- Free data and internet access for school, research and developmental needs of communities.
These conditions impact more on workers, women and children and require the most decisive and effective measures by all heads of states. Detailed texts of these cases have been forwarded to organs of SADC and other international institutions and are available.
Issued by COSATU Head Office.
For more information contact;
Bongani Masuku
International Secretary at 079 4996 419
Email: bongani@cosatu.org.za
Or
Zanele Sabela
COSATU National Spokesperson at 079 287 5788
Email: Zanele@cosatu.org.za