President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called for Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States to speak with one voice in asking for debt relief or extension of repayment time for developing countries, which are struggling with the impacts of COVID-19. The Tanzanian leader said the move would help SADC member countries recover from the shocks of the global pandemic, in particular to effectively rebuild their devastated economies.
Ms. Samia made the remarks yesterday as she was making her maiden speech at the 41st Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held in Lilongwe, Malawi. "In 2020 there was a fall of economies, increase in inflation rate as well as the national debts, this led to failure in handling the economies," President Samia said, urging joint efforts among SADC Member States in addressing the economic setback caused by the pandemic.
Going under the theme "Bolstering Predictive Capacities in the Face of COVID-19 Pandemic for inclusive, Sustainable Economic and Industrial Transformations," the meeting also endorsed the Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, as the new SADC Chairperson, taking over form his Mozambican counterpart Filipe Nyusi. In her speech, President Samia mentioned a slow pace in economic growth, unemployment, eruption of diseases and threat on peace and security as among the major challenges that are facing the bloc.
In order to tackle the challenges, Ms. Samia underlined the need for SADC Member States to support growth of the private sector in their respective countries, as it was a key driver towards achieving the inclusive economy. "To boost our economies, member countries should focus on improving production in agriculture and industrial sector," she suggested, assuring SADC of Tanzania's continued cooperation in tackling challenges that the region is facing. "Tanzania has been an active member of SADC since it was established some 41 years ago, and for sure, we shall continue doing the same, going forward," she pledged.
President Samia also spoke of anti-COVID-19 response in the region by insisting on the importance of vaccination, saying it was the best option towards reducing the spread of the global pandemic among the Member States. To ensure adequate supply and accessibility of vaccines, President Samia called on SADC Member States to convince vaccine manufacturing companies to allow transfer of technology and licenses for the vaccines to be manufactured in many other countries.
Ms. Samia also said it was important for SADC Member States to embark on an exchange programme on techniques used in providing public education on the importance of vaccines, as part of efforts to encounter fake information regarding inoculation exercise. In the area of women empowerment, President Samia said SADC is making the headway. She said since Malawi was the first country in the region to be led by a female President then her introduction at the 41th Summit of SADC Heads of State would fuel participation of women in leadership positions.
She challenged SADC Members to join efforts in supporting women in their respective countries in attaining leadership positions, as they have proven to be capable of fostering development. Since she is a champion of women economic rights and justice, after being elected in the general equality forum held in France, President Samia used the SADC platform to support her efforts in promoting gender equality. "I'm asking for your cooperation for the effective implementation of my responsibilities," she said.
She also commended the outgoing SADC Chairman President Nyusi and his successor Mr. Chakwera, saying Tanzania would continue championing development in the region. The Head of State also commended her Seychelles counterpart Wavel Ramkalawan and the President-elect of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema for being elected into the position respectively. Earlier, the Seychelles President Ramkalawan through a recorded address paid tribute to all former African leaders who passed away in the past one year, including former President the late John Magufuli.
"Former President the late Magufuli was an extraordinary leader and a true visionary, there is true testimony to his lasting legacy for the people of Tanzania," he said. Describing the great work done by the African leaders who have died, he said there was no greater taste of leadership than that of making justified decisions for the betterment of the people.