Lusaka, Zambia – Zambia has taken a historic step towards deeper regional integration by signing the Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty. This agreement paves the way for the transformation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum into a full-fledged SADC Parliament.
The signing ceremony took place on July 2nd, 2024, in Luanda, Angola, on the sidelines of the 55th SADC Parliamentary Forum Plenary Assembly. Representing President Hakainde Hichilema, Hon. Princess Kasune, Minister of Justice, signed the agreement on behalf of Zambia.
This agreement, adopted by SADC Heads of State and Government in August 2022, formally establishes the SADC Parliament as an official institution under the SADC Treaty. The parliament will serve as a platform for regional dialogue among the 3500 parliamentarians representing member states, according to a media statement by Mr. Roy Ngulube, Clerk of the National Assembly.
To become operational, the agreement requires signatures from twelve member states. Zambia becomes the eleventh country to sign, bringing the regional parliament closer to becoming a reality.
The specific details governing the operations of the SADC Parliament will be outlined in a separate protocol currently under development.
