CSOs push for SADC national committee formation
THE government has been asked to accelerate the process of forming the national committee for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for the sake of enabling Tanzanians benefit fully from all economic potentials available in the bloc.
Members of Civil Societies Organisations (CSO’s) made the request on Tuesday during their meeting with the Parliamentary committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security.
Speaking during the meeting, Regional Coordinator of the Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF) Joe Mzinga said establishing the national SADC committee will help to deepen integration with various member countries.
He said this will also enable Tanzanians to know various opportunities and be able to grab them for their economic growth that would also benefit the entire country.
According to him, the SADC National Committee will serve as the primary interface between Tanzania and the SADC organization and ensure communication.
“It is crucial to have an effective collaboration and implementation of SADC policies and programs at the national level, we call upon the government to accelerate the process of forming this committee for the greater interest of the county,” he explained.
Expounding, he said the SADC National Committee will play a crucial role in implementing various policies, protocols and agreements within Tanzania.
“It ensures that national laws and regulations align with regional objectives and commitments,” he said.
For her part, the Chief Executive Officer of the East Africa Civil Society Organisation (EACSOF), Lilian Alex, called on the government to amend the NGO Regulation Act of 2022 to recognize and provide a clear framework for international organizations established and operating in Tanzania.
Amending the Act will foster an enabling environment for their operations and enhance collaboration between international organisations and the Tanzanian government.
She also called on the Parliament to allocate a few days a year to receive reports from the regional assembly.
“Upon receiving the reports, the parliament will also discuss and create a working plan for implementation and effective follow-up on all the resolutions,” she said.
Responding to their request, Committee Vice-Chairperson Vicent Mbogo promised to cooperate with the CSO on ensuring the country is benefiting from all the opportunities available in the bloc.
