Latest news with #Sadc
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
SADC's secret power shift: Who really controls southern Africa?
Members of Parliament called for the Sadc Regional Parliament to gain legislative powers. Image: SADC IN a move that could redefine regional governance in Southern Africa, South Africa's parliamentary committees have thrown their weight behind a transformative, and contentious, vision for the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Regional Parliament. But as the draft protocol undergoes scrutiny, critical questions emerge: Will this body become a genuine legislative force, or will it remain another bureaucratic talk shop? This week, the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation and the Select Committee on Security and Justice adopted a draft report on the Sadc Protocol on the Regional Parliament, demanding sweeping changes to empower the institution. The committees, led by chairpersons Supra Mahumapelo and Jane Mananiso, insisted that the regional parliament must evolve beyond its current advisory role into a binding law-making authority. 'Members strongly called for the Sadc Regional Parliament to gain legislative powers,' according to a statement issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the chairpersons, pushing for oversight over peacekeeping missions, trade relations, and human rights — a direct challenge to the sovereignty-resistant tendencies of some Sadc member states. But will governments cede such authority? The proposal is ambitious, particularly given Sadc's history of slow-moving consensus politics. The draft protocol, as it stands, requires decisions to be made by consensus, with a simple majority as a fallback. However, the committees demanded even stricter thresholds for key appointments, proposing that a two-thirds majority should decide the election of the plenary assembly's president, vice-president, and secretary-general. One of the most striking recommendations is the call for full public and media access to plenary sessions. 'In the interest of facilitating transparent and participatory democracies, the committees proposed that all sessions be open,' the statement read. This would mark a radical departure from the opaque dealings often associated with regional bodies. Yet, scepticism remains. Will Sadc leaders, many of whom govern with tight control over domestic media, truly embrace such transparency? Or will this provision be diluted under pressure from more authoritarian-leaning member states? The committees also took aim at Article 35, which governs withdrawals from the treaty. They proposed an automatic termination clause, ensuring that if a country exits Sadc, its parliamentary representation collapses immediately. This could prevent lingering legal ambiguities but might also spark resistance from nations wary of rigid commitments. Moreover, the draft was criticised for lacking detail on the parliament's structure. The committees demanded a clear hierarchy, defined committee requirements, and systematic rules for member removal and financial oversight. 'The protocol should also provide for the removal of persons and the filling of vacancies, all of which need to be systematically detailed in the document,' the statement read. Perhaps the most forward-looking suggestion was the call to explore ties between the Sadc Parliament and other legislative bodies, including the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and regional economic blocs. 'The committees proposed that consideration be given to whether there should be any relationship between the Sadc Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament,' the statement read. If implemented, this could signal a shift toward deeper continental integration — but it also risks overburdening an institution still struggling to define its own mandate. The recommendations are bold, but their fate now rests in the hands of Sadc's member states. Will they embrace a stronger, more transparent regional parliament, or will political self-interest prevail? As Mahumapelo and Mananiso's committees push for change, one thing is clear: The battle over Sadc's future governance is just beginning. Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.
TimesLIVE
15-06-2025
- General
- TimesLIVE
Second group of SA troops returning home from DRC to arrive on Sunday
The second group of South African soldiers returning home after being deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the Sadc peacekeeping mission is expected to arrive on Sunday afternoon, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confirmed. They are scheduled to land at Air Force Base Waterkloof between 3pm and 5pm while a third group is expected to return on Monday afternoon. The SANDF said, the returning troops would undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support and reunification services.
TimesLIVE
13-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Delay in SANDF soldiers' return from DRC yet another example of poor planning: DA
The DA has expressed dismay at the chaotic scenes in Bloemfontein on Friday where 249 South African soldiers returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo were expected to land at midday. Briefing the media at the Tempe military base in Bloemfontein on Friday afternoon, defence and military veterans minister Angie Motshekga said the midday arrival of the first group of South African National Defence Force troops who were deployed to the eastern DRC had been delayed due to technical and logistical challenges. She said the Sadc, which is facilitating the flights, had challenges with the contracting airline company. 'Despite full media coverage and the presence of dignitaries, the soldiers are now unlikely to arrive before nightfall,' the DA said in a statement. It said what was meant to be a dignified homecoming had descended into disarray. 'This is yet another example of poor planning. The same kind of failure that plagued SANDF operations in the DRC. 'The DA warned that this event was more about spectacle than sincere recognition. Today, those concerns were proved correct. The entire ceremony has turned into a public embarrassment, with soldiers stranded and their supposed heroes' welcome left in ruins.' The DA said this was not just a failed media stunt. 'It is a sign of deeper dysfunction within the department of defence. Repeated logistical failures, both abroad and at home, raise serious questions about leadership and competence at the highest levels.'
TimesLIVE
13-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
'Logistical challenges' delay SANDF soldiers' midday arrival: Motshekga
Defence and military veterans minister Angie Motshekga says the midday arrival of the first group of South African National Defence Force troops who were deployed to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been delayed due to technical and logistical challenges. The group included 249 troops due to arrive from Tanzania. They were part of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Mission in the DRC. Motshekga said the troops were expected to fly from Tanzania and their latest estimated arrival was Saturday morning. 'The indication is the arrival has been delayed due to technical and logistical challenges with the contracted airline. We have been assured they are on board and will arrive any time today [Friday] or tomorrow [Saturday].' Sadc, which is facilitating the flights, had challenges with the contracting airline company.
TimesLIVE
13-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Group of SANDF troops due to arrive home from DRC
The first group of SA National Defence Force (SANDF) troops deployed to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission there are expected to return on Friday. They are arriving at air force base Bloemspruit in Bloemfontein at about midday and will be welcomed by minister of defence and military veterans Angie Motshega, accompanied by members of the military command council. The mission was sent to assist Kinshasa's fight against rebel groups in the DRC's war-ravaged eastern borderlands in December 2023. The 16-member Southern African Development Community (Sadc) said in mid-March it had terminated the mandate and would begin a phased withdrawal of its force from the DRC. According to the SANDF, the withdrawal was informed by the directive issued by the Sadc extraordinary summit of heads of state and government meeting held virtually on March 13. The bodies of 14 SANDF troops killed when M23 rebels captured the key city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, were returned to SA in February. Earlier this year scores of SANDF soldiers were wounded in clashes between M23 rebel forces and DRC government troops. About 200 soldiers returned in February from the DRC.
