Rais wa Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
Honourable Ministers;
Executive Secretary of the SADC Secretariat;
Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners;
Distinguished Delegates,
Invited Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I thank you for affording me the rare honour and privilege of officiating at this historic event of launching the Second Edition of the Strategic Indicative Plan for the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security (SIPO II). I thank the SADC Secretariat for choosing Tanzania and Arusha in particular to host this landmark event. I welcome all delegates to Tanzania and to Arusha in particular. Please feel at home away from home.
The significance of the venue is the fact that Arusha holds a unique place in the history of SADC. It was here, in July, 1979 when the Heads of States and representatives of the Frontline States met and adopted the Arusha Declaration which called for the creation of Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC). As you know this was the predecessor organization to the current Southern African Development Community (SADC).
It is therefore a great honour for the people of Arusha, and the entire nation to, again, play host to a momentous event of SADC. The launching of SIPO II, here today, is yet another important milestone towards advancing and promoting cooperation and integration endeavours in the SADC region being associated with the city of Arusha.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
As you are all aware, SIPO is a policy instrument that facilitates the implementation of the SADC development agenda embodied in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP). The ultimate objective of SIPO, therefore, is to create a peaceful and stable political and security environment in the entire region. This is a critical precondition for SADC to realize its Vision and Mission of promoting sustainable and equitable socio-economic growth and development in the region.
The RISDP and SIPO remain key frameworks for the SADC regional integration agenda. They provide SADC Member States with a consistent and comprehensive programme of long-term political, economic, social and security policies. At the same time they provide the SADC Secretariat and other SADC institutions with strategic direction on SADC approved political, economic, social and security policies and priorities.
Excellencies;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
The idea of formulating SIPO was motivated by the desire to create a peaceful and stable environment that would fuel socio-economic growth and human prosperity in the region. Before the original SIPO was adopted in 2004, many efforts were made by SADC Member States to address key development challenges including security and poverty. However, those efforts were threatened by the continuing security challenges which were undermining regional stability. Unfortunately, these challenges continue to plague our region even today. We are witnesses to the prevalence of poverty in our region. We are also witnesses to precarious security situations and political stalemates in some SADC member countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
The Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation was signed on 14th August, 2001 in Blantyre, Malawi. At its extraordinary meeting held in Blantyre in January, 2002, the Summit mandated the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to prepare a policy document that would provide guidelines for the implementation of the objectives of the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. That policy document is what came to be known as Strategic Indicative Plan of the Organ (SIPO). The original SIPO was adopted in 2004 for a five year period and a lot has been achieved.
Some of the achievements include the following; First, SIPO has facilitated cooperation among SADC countries in various defence and security areas. These include exchange of information, visits and sharing of training institutions, and undertaking joint exercises. Second, through SIPO our region has been able to develop the SADC Mutual Defence Pact. This is a regional commitment towards collective self-defence and the preservation of peace and security in the region.
The third achievement, is the launch and operationalisation of the SADC Standby Force. This was done in accordance with the African Peace and Security Architecture of the African Union. Fourth, promotion and advancement of police cooperation in the region through the integration of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) into the Inter-State Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC). This was done with the view to enhance the fight against organized crime and cross border illegal activities in countries of the region.
The fifth thing is the fact that SIPO has enabled the establishment of Regional Early Warning Centre (REWC) which is tasked with helping to anticipate, prevent and manage conflicts. Again this has been done in line with AU’s African Peace and Security Architecture which encourages the establishment of regional early warning centres.
Last but not least is the establishment of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC) and a mediation unit. These are institutions dealing with political governance and the observation of elections. As you can see a lot has been done and achieved under SIPO I. Our intention under SIPO II now is to do better and register even greater successes in future.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Despite the lofty achievements, implementation of the original SIPO faced a number of challenges. Actually, the achievements have been held back by those challenges which could not be fully overcome. In February, 2007 during a SIPO evolution mission the idea of reviewing SIPO was introduced. It was decided at the meeting that the review be undertaken before SIPO expired in 2009.
The launching of SIPO II today is the culmination of a lengthy process and subsequent approval of the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Windhoek, Namibia in 2010. It is heartwarming, indeed, to note that the policy document has been structured to respond to previous and newly identified challenges facing our region. These include, climate change, economic recession, unconstitutional changes of government, illegal immigration, increase in organized transnational crime, drug and human trafficking, money laundering, illicit mining, and maritime piracy.
The new SIPO also improves on the shortcomings of the original SIPO, in responding to the various challenges. Furthermore the revised SIPO acknowledges the need to restructure the organ sectors, address human resource constraints and enhance follow up and coordination of different players in implementing the SIPO objectives.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Although SIPO II is similar in content with the original SIPO, there are at least two key differences. First, SIPO II defines five sectors including Police as a standalone sectors. The others being Political; Defence; State Security; and Public Security. Second as I have just mentioned, SIPO II gives due and even more attention to monitoring and evaluation. It gives a clear set of objectives and strategies, as well as activity plans and expected outcomes for each sector. This enables serious monitoring and evaluation to be conducted on regular basis.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
There is every reason to believe that SIPO II provides SADC with the opportunity to move forward with strength in a diversified and challenging regional and global environment. It provides concrete and clear guidance on how to achieve the broad objectives of the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation among Member States. In this regard the entire people of SADC have every reason to cherish this moment; the moment of renewed hope that SIPO II is bringing with it.
However, the successful implementation of SIPO II will largely depend on the unity of purpose and political will of all Member States. It is our collective responsibility to ensure full implementation of SIPO II and its indicative plans. Every one of us has a role to play in order to achieve that goal for common benefits. It will take concerted efforts of all of us, no more and no less to get what we need to achieve. In this regard, therefore, we will need to mobilize sufficient resources that would enable us to implement the activities defined in SIPO II.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
While, to a large extent, implementation relies on regional resources, we should open our doors and invite people of goodwill and development partners elsewhere to compliment our efforts. Indeed, partnership is crucial for the realization of some of our objectives in some areas such as climate change, poverty, peace and security etc. Therefore, working with the African Union, United Nations, other regional economic groupings, multilateral institutions, nations and other global partners is both desirable and important. Of course, we need to safeguard our independence, interests and stay firmly on the steering seat.
I also believe, as a region, SADC cannot isolate its regional policies from the ambit of the African Union’s continental policy framework on major sectoral issues. With regard to governance, peace and security issues, the AU has put in place a concrete policy instruments which guide all countries on the continent on issues of governance, elections, peace and security. I have in mind the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the African Peace and Security Architecture.
I hope the implementation of the SIPO II will synergise well with the continental political, peace and security agenda. This way we will be able to achieve both regional and continental objectives of peace and stability. I am glad to note, also, that SIPO acknowledges the involvement of non state actors including Non Government Organizations, Community Based Organisations as well as policy or research institutions and the media.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Before I conclude, I would like to assure you that the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security under my leadership, in collaboration with the Secretariat, will continue to ensure effective implementation of SIPO II. Indeed, Tanzania will remain a strong supporter of the SADC Organ on Political, Defence and Security and its objectives. I firmly believe the Organ is a unique vehicle towards the realization of a stable and secure SADC region. I call upon all Member States, partners and stakeholders to play their part accordingly.
I want to take this opportunity, also to reaffirm Tanzania’s commitment to the wider objectives of SADC. As a founder Member, we will remain staunch supporters of the Vision and Mission of our regional organization. Allow me, at this juncture, to congratulate all the SADC leaders for their commitment and support which has enabled our Organization to grow from strength to strength.
In the same vein I sincerely congratulate the Executive Secretary and the entire staff of the SADC Secretariat, experts and representatives of the Member States and Ministers for the sterling job they have been doing in managing the affairs of SADC. I also commend them on the diligent work they have done in preparing the SIPO II. Its a job very well done for which we thank you so much.
It will be remiss of me if I did not recognise and thank the Federal Republic of German for the generous support to our Organ. Their support and assistance has enabled us to organize the holding of the workshop that will take place immediately after the launching of SIPO II.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Arusha is the hub of Tanzania’s northern tourist circuit. Several world renown tourist attractions are within easy reach from here. These include world class game parks such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Serengeti. Mount Kilimanjaro is just a stone throw away from here. The spice islands of Zanzibar are a short distance away by plane. Please find time at the end of this meeting to visit a few of these places and get the feel of what Tanzania has to offer.
Excellencies;
Distinguished delegates;
Invited guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is now my singular honour and pleasure to declare that the Second Edition of the Strategic Indicative Plan of the SADC Organ on the Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation officially launched. It’s now formerly ready for use.
Thank you for your kind attention.