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COMMUNIQUÉ: BOTSWANA, GABORONE 26 AUGUST 1990
The Summit reviewed the regional situation and in particular noted that Namibia had become the
tenth member of SADCC, after more than seventy years of South African occupation.
The Summit received an update from the representatives of the South African Liberation
Movements on the situation in that country. The Summit welcomed talks between the African
National Congress and the South African Government, on the way to end apartheid and to
introduce a system of government acceptable to all South Africans. The Summit, however,
regretted the continued violence and bloodshed in the black townships, and called upon all parties
to do everything possible to bring the situation under control.
The Summit welcomed steps being taken by the Governments of Angola and Mozambique to
negotiate a peaceful solution to the conflicts in their countries. The Summit also expressed
appreciation at the easing of tensions in the region and encouraging prospects for a democratic
South Africa which would enhance the efforts for cooperation among the countries of the region
including South Africa. However, structures are still in place and right­wing terrorism is on the
increase. It was, therefore, necessary that the international pressure on South Africa be maintained
until there is agreement among South Africans on a just political dispensation.
In reviewing the economic situation in the region, the Summit noted, with appreciation, the
continuing improvement in the economic performance of most member States following the
introduction of structural adjustment measures and policy reforms. However, a number of member
States were still struggling under a heavy debt burden and will require continuing assistance to SADCC SUMMIT COMMUNIQUÉ NAMIBIA WINDHOEK 17 AUGUST 1992
consolidate and improve on the gains made so far. The economic adjustment process had also Of foremost concern to the Summit was the drought currently gripping the
caused grave social problems and the deterioration of socio­economic infrastructure. region. The Summit commended its Chairman President Masire for his leadership
While the Summit recognised that the primary responsibility for improving those conditions rested in addressing the drought situation and, thanked the international community
for its pledges of support... The Summit directed the Ministers of Agriculture to
with the member States themselves, the Summit called on the international community to give make appropriate arrangements, in the event the drought continues into next
maximum assistance they can, to ameliorate these difficulties to ensure that the adjustment year, and also to put in place the necessary recovery measures should the
process will stay on course. drought break. Above all, the Summit directed the Ministers of Agriculture to put
The Summit noted with appreciation the overall surplus in food production in the region and in place a system for regional and national food security. ...
emphasised the need to establish an effective machinery for intra­regional trade in food to ensure The Summit commended the Government and people of Angola for their
the expansion of production and lessen dependence on food aid from outside the region. resolve to establish the foundation for lasting peace and security in their
country, following the 1991 Peace Agreement. The Summit expressed the hope
and wish that all political parties in Angola will exercise tolerance and restraint
during and after elections, and accept the will of the people.
COMMUNIQUÉ: TANZANIA, ARUSHA, 26 AUGUST 1991
The Summit further noted with appreciation the agreement signed by
The Summit reviewed recent developments and noted that the region was undergoing
President Chissano and Mr. Dhlakama in Rome on 7th August, 1992 aimed at
fundamental economic, political and social changes which will have a major impact on its future.
the cessation of hostilities by October first. The Summit commended President 23
The Summit welcomed the initial steps toward the abolition of apartheid in South Africa as
Chissano and Mr. Dhlakama for their continued positive and constructive
evidenced by the unbarring of the Liberation Movements and repeal of racist laws.
efforts to restore peace and stability in Mozambique as well as President
Mugabe for his role in facilitating this process.
The Summit, however, observed that, notwithstanding these encouraging changes, apartheid was
still firmly in place in the social, economic and political fabric of South African life. The Summit
The Summit reviewed developments in South Africa and was briefed by
particularly regretted the continuing cycle of violence in South Africa and called on the South
representatives of the South African Liberation Movements on major issues
African regime to take decisive action to end the conflict.
regarding the violence, the negotiations and unity of patriotic forces. …The
Summit also noted with regret the lack of progress in the negotiations which
The Summit urged the Liberation Movements to coordinate their strategies, and commit
is a result of the refusal by the South African Government to accept universally
themselves fully to realizing a common front of all anti­apartheid forces in South Africa. The
agreed principles of democracy and its reluctance to stem the tide of violence
Summit, therefore, noted with appreciation the efforts by the black leadership in South Africa to
establish a Patriotic Front against apartheid.
much of which can be linked to the state security apparatus. … The Summit
agreed that it was necessary to clarify that relations between SADCC and South
Africa will be normalised only when a democratically elected government was
The Summit noted with appreciation the economic, political and social changes that are taking
in place.
place within Member States aimed at popular participation in national affairs and enhancement of
economic performance. In particular, the Summit welcomed the end of the war in Angola and the
…The Summit considered a Report of the Council of Ministers on the
involving peace process in Mozambique. In this context, the Summit expressed support for the
country. Formalisation of SADCC, and agreed that the Report adequately addressed the
untiring efforts of the Government of Mozambique to find a negotiated solution to the war in the
issues and concerns of the region. The Summit agreed that it formed a sufficient
basis to strengthen SADCC and give it appropriate legal status, and other
necessary instruments to create a regional economic community of Southern
The Summit called Member States and the international community as a whole to help Angola and
African states. The Summit, therefore, approved and signed a new Declaration,
Mozambique to prepare the groundwork for a major international emergency assistance towards
a Treaty and a Protocol committing member States to deeper and more formal
the reconstruction of the economies of these member States, as well as assisting efforts for the
arrangements for cooperation and integration under the framework of a new
repatriation and resettlement of refugees and displaced persons.
organisation, The Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Summit also welcomed efforts by the United Nations Systems and South African Liberation
In particular, the Summit noted and reaffirmed that:
Movements to repatriate South Africans exiles; and appealed to SADCC member States and the
a) the Treaty establishing SADC provides for agreement on protocols on
international community to provide material assistance to facilitate these efforts, as well as provide
specific areas of integration which will set­out the principles and
the returning exiles with the necessary means for survival.
objectives of integration, and determine the rules under which member
States will conduct their relations in specific areas;
The Summit concluded that all these developments require a concerted response by SADCC
b) it is important to follow­up the signing of the Treaty which a clear
relations in Southern Africa.
member States, to assert the leadership of the region and to create a framework for future
elaboration of the issues, structures and timetable which will form the
basis of the negotiations on protocols;
c) priority be given to popular participation, to ensure that the people of
The Summit, therefore, directed Council to undertake the necessary work to identify options and
the region determine the content and direction of regional integration;
strategies for regional cooperation in a post­apartheid era. Towards this end, the Summit decided
d) the movement of the people within the region should be facilitated;
to establish a Joint Planning Committee, comprising representatives of SADCC member States and
the Liberation Movements to direct this work.
e) the need for the progressive removal of all barriers to the flow of capital,
goods and services; and
f) priority also be given to arrangements for peace and security in the
region.
The Summit noted with regret that the status of Walvis Bay and the offshore islands, as integral
parts of Namibia, still remains unresolved. The Summit reaffirmed SADCC’s support to the
sovereignty over Walvis Bay.
Government of Namibia, and called on the international community to assist Namibia regain
The Summit expressed the hope that a democratic South Africa will join the
SADCC family of nations soon in order to enable all of the region’s peoples to
join hands in building a new economic order in Southern Africa based on
The Summit noted the proposed theme for the 1992 SADCC Annual Consultative Conference,
balance, equity and mutual benefit. ...
SADCC Towards Economic Integration, and in particular agreed that the Conference Theme will
framework for collective action.
provide the basis for the creation of a common vision of the future of the region and establish a