Africa-Press – Angola. The Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Sunday (17), in the Malagasy capital, called for a faster creation of the Regional Development Fund (RDF) to strengthen the region’s economic resilience.
The call was expressed in the final communiqué of the organization’s 45th summit, held at the Ivato Conference Center in Antananarivo, under the theme “Advancing Industrialization, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”.
SADC leaders consider it crucial to support sustainable development and mobilize long-term investments for the community bloc’s regional programs.
The SADC RDF is a financial mechanism designed to finance infrastructure, industrialization, and regional integration projects, with a view to promoting economic development and sustainable growth in the region by offering financing on favorable terms.
In this context, the Antananarivo summit approved and signed the agreement amending the SADC Protocol on Finance and Investment, particularly the provisions related to combating money laundering.
It directed the organization’s Secretariat to accelerate the creation of the contribution proposal, investment plan, and roadmap for the North-South Economic Corridor, as well as to accelerate the advancement of the SADC Maritime Corridor Strategy, with the aim of strengthening trade, regional connectivity, and economic integration.
Peace in the DRC
The meeting reaffirmed its “unconditional commitment” to promoting peace, security, and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In this regard, it welcomed the joint mediation efforts undertaken with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the East African Community (EAC), as well as the merger of the Luanda and Nairobi Peace Processes.
It recognized the urgent need for harmonization between Africa-led processes and other initiatives, including the 2025 Washington Agreement and the 2025 Doha Declaration of Principles.
Furthermore, it condemned the dissemination of false information about the deployment of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), reiterating that the deployment was conducted in full compliance with regional and international principles and obligations.
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