President Joyce Banda of Malawi has commended President Jakaya Kikwete on his exemplary dedication in promoting peace, democracy and security among the member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
President Joyce Banda of Malawi
President Banda sounded the commendations when addressing the 33rd session of SADC Heads of State summit after taking over the chairmanship from President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique.
“The people of Malawi, SADC member states and I congratulate President Kikwete for maintaining peace, democracy and security throughout his tenure as the chairman of the SADC Troika Organ on Politics, Security and Defence,’ she said.
Among other achievements during his term in office, President Kikwete witnessed peaceful elections in Zimbabwe whereby President Robert Mugabe emerged the winner. Also, peace process was renewed in Madagascar leading to political agreement.
As chairman, President Kikwete oversaw deployment of military contingent to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where rebellious group, M 23 is fighting government forces.
Mr Kikwete handed over the Organ’s chairmanship to Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba. Unveiling some of her commitments during her twelve months tenure in office as chairperson of SADC, President Banda said war against poverty will be intensified among SADC members for sustainable peace in the region.
“It is important each member state takes the initiative to promote political tolerance and empower women economically,” Ms Banda said. Commenting on the need for agricultural development, she said the sector, which employs majority of the population should be given proper attention to make sure that quality production captures foreign markets.
As for interaction of people in the SADC region, the new chairperson said there should be a mechanism to improve free movement of people. Meanwhile, Tanzania has secured the SADC’s Executive Secretary post with 79 per cent votes, won by Dr Stergomena Tax, currently the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Cooperation.
She replaces the outgoing Executive Secretary, Dr Tomaz Augusto Salomão who had served two terms of eight years. The SADC Council of Ministers voted her on Friday.
“We won 79 per cent of the votes, securing a post of Executive Secretary to be held by Dr Stergomena L. Tax, currently Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Cooperation,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Bernard Membe.
“We are now waiting for the Heads of State and Government to approve the nomination when they meet on 17 to 18 August 2013,” said Minister Membe. “This is the first time for a woman to hold such high post in the Community and we are truly honoured to have a formidable candidate to secure such a post,” observed Mr Membe.
The Executive Secretary position was tightly fought, leaving the other candidate from Seychelles, Mr Peter Sinon, Minister for Investment, Natural Resources and Industry with 72 per cent of votes.
The ministers postponed for one month the voting for a Deputy Executive Secretary position, after the current voting could not come into a consensus terms. South Africa was vying for a Deputy Executive Secretary position.
By MAULID AHMED, Tanzania Daily News
