By Kefiloe Kajane
Lesotho is set to participate in the SADC virtual 49th plenary assembly session on the role parliaments can play in leveraging the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The session starts today and ends on Sunday is to be hosted by the parliament of Botswana under the theme “Leveraging the AfCFTA for post-Covid-19 Economic Recovery in Southern Africa: The role of SADC Parliamentary Forum and National Parliaments.”
According to a statement by SADC Parliamentary Forum, items scheduled during the three-day event include an opening ceremony to be addressed by Botswana President, Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, a symposium on the theme, swearing-in of new members, consideration of standing committee reports as well as members’ motions.
It said that the symposium will have presentations from different key role players including the AfCFTA secretariat, the SADC Secretariat as well as the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
It further stated that the presenters will place emphasis on the domestication process of the AfCFTA, the capacitation of members, raising of awareness on the key areas, accountability and participation.
“The Plenary Assembly, which meets twice a year hosted by one of the 15-member parliaments on a rotational basis, is the policy-making and deliberative body of the SADC parliamentary forum which is constituted by the speakers and up to five other representatives elected by each national parliament.
“As the apex parliamentary body in the SADC region, the SADC Parliamentary Forum has a critical role to play in ensuring a coordinated and collaborative approach by parliaments, in building the requisite capacity for parliamentarians and relevant parliamentary committees on how they can utilize their law-making and oversight mandate to ensure the effective implementation of the AfCFTA and build a more inclusive and equitable post-Covid SADC region,” the statement read.
