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Prevention and Eradication of Violence Against Women and Children
An Addendum to the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development on the Prevention
and Eradication of Violence Against Women and Children was adopted in 1998, with the
Summit strongly condemning the increasing levels of violence against women and children
as a serious violation of fundamental human rights. In the Addendum, SADC Member
States resolved to adopt specific measures including legislation, public education, training,
awareness-raising, and provision of services.

SADC Unites against HIV and AIDS
SADC Member States expressed deep concern at the rapid spread of HIV and AIDS to
all sectors of the population with far-reaching social and economic consequences as the
most effected population is the young age group that is economically active. Member States
agreed to work together to revamp strategies and programmes, commit more resources
and continue with multi-sectoral approaches, to ensure that socio-economic gains are not
reversed in areas such as infant mortality, literacy, life expectancy, and skills acquisition.
Collaboration and policy coherence to address HIV and AIDS is a priority for the region
and development partners.

SADC Initiatives to Restore Peace and Stability in DRC
The Summit expressed deep regret at the outbreak of war in DRC as a result of attempts
by rebels and their allies to remove the Government of President Laurent Kabila from
power, and welcomed the initiatives by SADC and Member States to assist in the
40 restoration of peace, security and stability, in particular the Victoria Falls and Pretoria
initiatives, and commended the Governments of Angola, Nambia and Zimbabwe for
providing troops to assist the Government and people of DRC. The SADC Chairperson,
President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, recently hosted a Special SADC Summit attended
by the President of Rwanda, Pasteur Bizimungu that called for a ceasefire in DRC, a peace
process and reconstruction.

Sector on Legal Affairs, Protocol on Tourism
A new sector of Legal Affairs was established, and a new Protocol on Tourism was signed.

African Economic Community and RECs
The 18 Summit reaffirmed its decision that all activities and policies of SADC should be
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carried out in the context of achieving the objectives of the African Economic Community
(AEC), and committed SADC, as a building bloc, to play a catalytic and strategic role in
establishing the AEC. The Protocol on Relations between the AEC and RECs was signed
in February 1998 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Tribute to H.E. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
In the tradition of bidding farewell to retiring leaders, the 18th Summit expressed
appreciation for the wise leadership that former President N.R. Mandela has provided to
SADC and the Republic of South Africa. He was later presented with the Seretse Khama
SADC Medal at the 20th Summit in 2000.

Spatial Development Initiatives
The concept of Spatial Development Initiatives is
gaining traction with the Maputo Development
Corridor (MDC) attracting private sector
investment of US$400 million and generating
more than 6,000 jobs, with related initiatives on