The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Her Excellency Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax on 8th October, 2018 paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Dr John Pombe Magufuli of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Incoming Chairperson of SADC.
H.E President Magufuli was elected as the Incoming Chairperson of SADC during the 38th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government which was held in Windhoek, Namibia. His Excellency President Dr Hage G. Geingob of the Republic of Namibia is the current Chairperson, while South Africa’s President H.E Cyril Ramaphosa is the current Outgoing Chairperson.
During the meeting which took place at the State House in Dar es Salaam, the SADC Executive Secretary, briefed the Incoming Chairperson of the SADC on the overall status of regional integration and the social, economic and political situation in the region, among others.
As the United Republic of Tanzania will be the host for the next SADC Summit in August 2019, Dr Tax also briefed President Magufuli on the requirements and Minimum Standards for hosting the SADC Summit.
President Magufuli, thanked Dr. Tax for the briefing and assured her of Tanzania's commitment to SADC and regional integration in general. Tanzania is one of the SADC founding Member States and remains committed to the objectives enshrined in the SADC Treaty; in particular, the promotion of sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development that ensures poverty alleviation with the ultimate objective of its eradication.
President Magufuli was Deputy Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation (Organ) from August 2016 to August 2017.
