Moses Magadza
The President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Hon Justin Tokley of Madagascar, has called on the region’s parliamentary leaders to act decisively in defense of democracy, social justice, and regional resilience amid global uncertainty.
Hon Tokley made the call at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Geopolitical Group meeting last week in remarks made on his behalf by Hon Dithapelo Keorapetse, the Speaker of the Parliament of Botswana. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
“We meet at an opportune time when the geopolitics of the world call for further regional and international cooperation,” he stated.
He noted that recent global shifts have seen “countries promoting state protectionism and non-liberal policies threaten to disrupt the global order.”
Hon Tokley highlighted the vulnerability of developing nations in the face of escalating trade conflicts, citing a rise in tariffs and counter-tariffs that have strained supply chains and fuelled unpredictability in global markets.
“When the world’s superpowers fight on issues of trade, the struggle is hardest for developing nations which often do not have alternative trade routes to supply their citizens,” he said.
On democratic backsliding globally, he cited a recent case in France where a right-wing politician was barred from elections due to fraud, an event which triggered global debate on judicial independence and democratic integrity.
Mudenda, attends Southern African Development Community (SADC) Geopolitical Group
meeting last week on the sidelines of the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly
in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Photos: Contributed.
“These developments put into question issues of separation of powers and independence of the judiciary,” he told his audience that included the Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Honourable Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda.
The theme of the IPU Assembly, “Parliamentary Action on Social Development and Justice,” resonated strongly in the SADC meeting. Hon Tokley urged Parliaments to rise to the moment.
He said, “Parliaments can assist to restore diplomacy between countries and mitigate the consequences of state protectionism that is quintessential to set the ground for smooth socio-economic development.”
He urged member countries to guard against disruptions in the food and basic commodities supply chain. In this connection, he stressed the role of regional collaboration and resilience amid ongoing global turmoil; from COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the intensifying climate crisis.
“Climate temperatures hitting records year after year already cast doubt on whether the 2030 and 2050 targets can be met,” he said and noted growing international advocacy to classify “ecocide” as an international crime.
On an optimistic note, he said, “Parliaments can still bring harmony to the discussion table and find solutions which are grounded in peace and stability for citizens.”
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The SADC meeting, held in Conference Room 5, considered the minutes of the previous session held in Geneva in October 2024.
A key highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the IPU Executive Committee report by Rt Hon. Nelly Mutti, Speaker of Zambia’s National Assembly. Her report outlined strategic decisions, information points, and matters requiring consensus.
The group also deliberated on emergency items proposed for the IPU Assembly agenda, as well as vacancies within IPU structures that require nominations.
-Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
