Media Wire Express Correspondent
Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting its financial obligations to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and urged other member states to follow suit.
This pledge was made during the recent Finance Committee Session of the SADC Community, which took place on August 10, 2024, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Leading the Tanzanian delegation at this important meeting was Dr. Natu Mwamba, Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance.
She was joined by Mrs. Talha Minister, the National Coordinator for SADC Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, along with Mr. James, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of External Finance from the Ministry of Finance. Their participation highlighted Tanzania’s dedication to ensuring SADC remains financially strong and capable of carrying out its mission across the region.
During her remarks to the committee, Dr. Mwamba underscored the crucial role SADC plays in promoting regional prosperity and stability. Tanzania, being a beneficiary of SADC’s initiatives, recognizes the importance of these responsibilities and remains committed to being an active and supportive member of the community. She also made it clear that Tanzania intends to make its annual contributions promptly, emphasizing the importance of enabling SADC to perform its duties effectively.
“Tanzania pledges to fulfill its financial contributions to support the implementation of various SADC activities that benefit all member states, including Tanzania itself. We are fully aware of the significance of these contributions and are committed to meeting our obligations in the coming days,” Dr. Mwamba stated.
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The Finance Committee session covered a broad range of topics, with particular focus on the financial status of member state contributions, engagement with development partners, and the implementation of the financial statement for the 2023/24 fiscal year. The session also centered on identifying financial resources to fund regional projects, which are critical to the economic and social development of the SADC region.
Other significant issues discussed included the Additional Budget and Transfer of Budget Articles, as well as the budgetary impact of human resources. The committee also reviewed the Central Revenue and Expenditure Plan for the period 2023/24-2026/27 and examined the SADC Audit Committee Report.
The outcomes and recommendations from this session will be submitted to the SADC Council of Ministers, which is scheduled to meet on August 13-14, 2024. The council will deliberate on these recommendations and provide further guidance on the financial and operational strategies for the SADC.
With the region navigating economic challenges and seeking sustainable growth, the commitment of member states like Tanzania to fulfilling their financial obligations is crucial for ensuring the stability and success of SADC’s initiatives. The upcoming Council of Ministers meeting is expected to reinforce these commitments and offer a clear roadmap for the community’s future activities.
