- Heads of state and governments of the 14-member Southern African Development Community [SADC] have resolved their commitment to eradicate poverty "in all its manifestations and dimensions."
The SADC leaders outlined their commitment in the Mauritius Declaration adopted in Port-Louis at the end of the regional summit on poverty and development.
“High levels of poverty are unacceptable for the countries in our region, which has abundant resources,” declared Zambian President and Chairman of the regional grouping. President Levy Mwanawasa described as unfortunate that an estimated 40% of the population lives below the poverty line.
He blamed slow economic growth, few labour opportunities, decaying social services and diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS as the common causes of poverty.
In the Mauritius Declaration, regional leaders recognised that poverty is a problem of the highest urgency.
They expressed commitment to combat the negative effects of climate changes, increasing energy production capacity using renewable sources, improving access to education, sanitation as well as reduce the digital divide between North and South.
They recommended the urgent need to promote micro-finance and the development of small and medium enterprises to arrest the rising poverty levels in the region. The SADC leaders also endorsed the creation of a "regional observatory on poverty" tasked with monitoring progress.
The regional governments announced their full confidence in the mediation efforts of President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa in Zimbabwe, contrary to the call of the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai. The MDC leader accused Mr Mbeki of being too soft in addressing the country's current political stalemate.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español