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2001-2002 The 21 SADC Summit was held in Blantyre, Malawi on 12-14August
st
2001, hosted and chaired by President Bakili Elson Muluzi.

Relationship between the African Union and RECs
The OAU Secretary General, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim addressed the 21st Summit, noting
that the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) constitute an important part of the
African Union to be launched soon. The African Union is intended to give fresh impetus
to Africa’s development agenda, replacing the Organisation of African Unity which has
completed its mission of political independence. The Constitutive Act of the African Union
requires the harmonisation of policies and programmes between RECs, and the OAU
Summit in Lusaka, Zambia in July 2001 requested that the policy organs of the RECs
should reflect on the modalities for actualising the relationship.

Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation
The Protocol was signed at the 21st Summit to establish the objectives, operating structures
and guidelines for the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. The Organ
has operated without a legal framework since its launch in 1996 and will now be integrated
into the SADC structures and coordinated at Summit level on a Troika basis. The
Chairperson will serve for one year, reporting to the Chairperson of Summit, with the
structure, operations and functions regulated by the Protocol.

Protocols
st
46 The 21 Summit noted that 15 protocols have been concluded and eight have been ratified
and entered into force, adding however that there is no mechanism for assessment of
implementation. Other instruments signed in addition to the Protocol on Politics, Defence
and Security Cooperation, were the Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition
and Other Related Materials; Protocol Against Corruption; Protocol on Fisheries; and the
Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport.

Declaration on Information and Communications Technology
SADC recognises the key role of ICT in modern society and in economic development,
and passed the Declaration on Information and Communications Technology in order to
advance the socioeconomic development of the region.

Support for UN Security Council Resolution 1295
SADC has approved measures to support UNSCR 1295 on sanctions against Unita in
Angola, including the installation of Mobile Radar Systems to detect illegal flights across
national borders; the mechanism for international certification for trade in rough
diamonds; creation of a task force to compile data and formulate a strategy to stop the
supply of petroleum products to Unita.
New System of Electing Chairpersons
The 21 Summit adopted the system of electing the SADC Chairperson at the first
st
working session of the annual Summit. Under the new system, the Member State hosting
the Summit would chair SADC for a term of one year until the next Summit. Host
President Muluzi was elected Chairperson, with President José Eduardo dos Santos of
Angola as Deputy.

Declaration Against Terrorism
SADC remains concerned about threats to development and security following acts of
terrorism in the region, in Africa and globally, and passed a Declaration on Terrorism on
14 January 2002 as a formal statement of intent to strengthen security in the region and
eliminate terrorism.