Angola highlights people movement in southern Africa region

Luanda, ANGOLA, June 22 - Angolan President João Lourenço Friday in Luanda described the facilitation of movement of persons in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as crucial for strengthening of social and cultural exchange and relations among member States. ,

 

 

Addressing the opening of the 20th Meeting of the SADC Policy, Defence and Security Organ, João Lourenço said that it is in this spirit that Angola has worked with the secretariat of the organisation to take "significant steps towards the Protocol on Facilitation of Movement of People in the Region. "

 

To this purpose, he said,  Angola granted visa-free travel to 12 countries in the region.

 

Also the head the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) for Political, Defence and Security Cooperation body, Joao Lourenço said that the initiative ensures increased value for member States, as this aligns the African Union (AU) proposal on free movement of people on the continent.

 

As for periodic and regular elections in member countries, João Lourenço welcomed the Zimbabwe, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

 

He said that in its capacity as Chair of the SADC Policy, Defence and Security Organ, Angola has mandated the organisation's Executive Secretariat to create conditions for the Observation Mission in Zimbabwe, whose elections are set for 30 July.

 

Angola took over the chair of the Ministerial Committee of the Policy, Defence and Security Organ of SADC in 2017.

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