THE Southern Africa’s Peoples Solidarity Network (SAPSN) has expressed concern with the unsustainable sovereign debts in the region that have heavily burdened the livelihoods of women, youths and children.
In a communique delivered, SADC SAPSN focal point person Gershom Kabaso said that inhumane plunder of public resources through illicit financial flows, extravagance and corruption has affected the provision of social protection and financing for sustainable development.
He said that indigenous farmers in the region continue to face increasing challenges such as land grabs and displacement of traditional settlers, poor trade policies and weak tenure regimes as SADC member states.
Mr. Kabaso further expressed concern with the recurrence of attacks on African nationals in some SADC countries and the proliferation of pro capital labour laws in some countries.
He added that this has led to intensification of labor exploitation in the form of unfair labor practices and precarious employment conditions.
“The continued attacks by political ruling elites on the citizens of the region with their own state security agencies as is the case of mass shootings and attacks in the Kingdom of Eswatini is a source of great concern,” he said.
He further called on SADC countries to open borders for cross borders to travel freely and enhance market linkages for all especially women and youths in the region.
Drawn from grassroots movements, community based organizations and human rights networks and other social movements in the region gathered at the SADC Peoples summit at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe Malawi from 17-19 August 2021.
