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SADCC Policy and Sectoral Strategies
The1987 Summit noted the growing maturity of SADCC as an organisation, with signifi-
cant progress in the development and elaboration of SADCC policy, particularly for invest-
ment and production, and in sectors of food, agriculture and natural resources, as well as
progress in the articulation of strategies for all sectors.
First Seminar for Business
Botswana hosted the Annual Conference with development agencies in February 1987 and
expanded the scope to include business representatives for the first time, from within and
outside the region, with the theme of “Investment in Production”. The first Business Sem-
inar made recommendations for review by Member States and discussion at regional level.

US Congress excludes Angola and Mozambique from SADCC Support
The US Congress has passed legislation to provide assistance to SADCC, and Summit
noted this, recognising the benefits of economic support to the region, but registered strong
objection to the specific exclusion of Angola and Mozambique and actions that violate
the integrity of SADCC, expressing displeasure at the attempt to associate SADCC
Member States with terrorism.

Improvement in Economies and Debt Relief 1988-89
The Summit in Mozambique in July 1988 noted the improvement in economic perform-
ance of most Member States, and welcomed the initiatives of the group of seven indus-
trialised countries on debt relief for Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as pledges of financial 31
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support by the international community.
SADCC Trade Cooperation
The 1988 Summit agreed to cooperate in trade in the context of SADCC, managed through
the Industry and Trade Sector hosted by Tanzania, based on agreed
programme elements.

Transport Success
The Transport and Communications Sector has already achieved
greater use of regional routes through Beira and Dar es Salaam,
and made progress in rehabilitating the Maputo transport system.
The Summit expressed hope that arrangements can be made for
the rehabilitation of the Lobito Corridor in Angola.

Food Security
A general improvement in the food situation in the region following favourable weather
conditions was noted by Summit, but serious food shortages remain in Angola and Mo-
zambique, caused mainly by South Africa’s destabilisation activities which disrupted rural
life and displaced millions of people.

Progress on South African withdrawal from Angola and Namibia
Appreciable progress in negotiations for the withdrawal of South African troops from An-
gola and independence for Namibia was noted by the 1988 Summit, which expressed hope
that this could usher in a more conducive environment for the South African Government
to end apartheid, the principal cause of conflict in the region, and urged them to negotiate
with the genuine leaders of the black majority.
The decision to transform SADCC from a Coordination Conference into a Community 1989-90
Decision to Transform SADCC into a Community

was taken during the 9th SADCC Summit held in Harare in 1989 which instructed the
Council of Ministers to formalise SADCC and give it an appropriate legal status, re-
placing the SADCC MOU with an Agreement, Charter or Treaty.