JOINT PRESS RELEASE AU-SARO Presentation of Credentials to the SADC Executive Secretary

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April 01, 2022

Gaborone, Botswana- On 1^st April 2022, The AU Permanent Representative to Southern Africa and COMESA, H.E Ambassador David Claude Pierre paid a Courtesy visit to the Southern Africa Development Community(SADC) in Gaborone Botswana. The objective of the visit was to present Letters of Credence to the SADC Executive Secretary, H.E Mr. Elias Mpedi Magosi as well as identify areas of collaboration between the two organizations.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador David Claude Pierre stated that there is the need for AU-SARO and SADC to work together in popularising AU programmes, promote harmonisation by consolidating efforts and ensuring the signing and ratification of the AU legal instruments in addition to carrying out monitoring activities in the region.

The SADC Executive Secretary H.E Mr Magosi, highlighted the important relationship between AU-SARO and SADC reiterating the common interest as RECs are building blocks to the African Union. “Our collaboration is critical” He further elaborated the three key pillars of SADC from the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020-2030; being Industrialization Development and Market Integration, Infrastructure development in Support of Regional Integration as well as Social and Human Capital Development. “All of these are anchored in a foundation of Peace, Security and Good Governance” He stated.

Ambassador David Claude Pierre further reiterated the importance of collaboration between SADC and African union in areas of peace and security stating clearly that, “There cannot be development without peace and security.”

Lastly, Mr Magosi concluded that SADC would need support from the African Union on areas such as monitoring the SADC Protocols, Agenda 2063 and communication on critical areas involving peace and security.

The mandate of the AU-SARO is to represent the AU in the Southern Africa Region as well as develop and maintain constructive and productive relationships between the AU and its Member States in the Region, as well as SADC and COMESA.

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About AU-SARO

The AU-SARO is a representational office of AU in Southern Africa, it develops, maintain constructive and productive relationships between the AU, its Member States in the Region as well as SADC and COMESA. The office aims to Increase awareness about AU programmes and its mission in the region; monitor socio-economic and political and cultural developments as well as liaise and harmonize specific policies of the AU in the Southern Region.