By Development Reporter
The SADC People’s Summit a unification of non state actors, private entities, farmer’s and the general SADC population has blasted the region’s political, social and economic bloc, SADC as a conduit for unfair trade, suffering of the general population among other vast irregularities at its parallel summit held this week in Madagascar.
The people’s summit blasted the 2025 theme, “Advancing Industrialization, Agricultural Transformation and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”, as a tool that elites would use to exploit the vast resources within the region with no benefit for the general population who continue to suffer as the region experiences debts and illicit financial transactions.
“While this agenda is framed as a response to the region’s complex crises, it dangerously reinforces a toxic, extractivist model (which includes mining, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, oil, gas, and our other commons.) that serves the elite and corporate interests, entrenches inequality, and displaces communities especially women, youth and indigenous peoples from their lands, livelihoods and dignity.” The press statement said.
Furthermore, “We denounce the new scramble for “critical minerals” as defined by imperial powers, driven by the Global North’s rush for decarbonization, digitalization, and weapons production which is already fueling land grabs, displacement, and militarization in the region. This extractivist “transition” is not a solution, it is a new form of green colonialism and privatization of the commons.” The statement further highlights.
On the other hand, “The People’s Summit has amplified the lived realities and collective struggles of Southern Africa’s people against worsening debt burdens, illicit financial flows (IFFs), structural inequality, political and ecological crises, and the erosion of democratic space.” The statement highlighted.
The bloc which has been critical of SADC urged member states to be considerate of it’s people, the region’s environment with calls for payment of legacy environmental dilapidation orchestrated by the global North while ensuring African peoples sovereignty is key before any interest.
“As delegates of the 2025 People’s Summit, we, therefore, reject any development model that excludes communities, workers and trade unions, criminalizes human and environmental defenders, and commodifies nature.”
Moreso. “Reclaim our economies from the chains of debt, neocolonialism and corporate capture.• Protect our people from austerity, extractivism, violence, and ecological collapse.• Deliver justice through reparations, feminist economic policies, and democratic governance.• Stand with us in building a just, sovereign, and united Southern Africa grounded in people power, regional solidarity and ecological sustainability.” The statement emphasised.
Furthermore, “Full compensation for the ecological debt owed by the Global North, including for historical emissions and resource extraction. Support and financing for agro-ecology, local seed and food sovereignty in the region.Feminist and just climate financing that prioritizes community-led adaptation, loss and damage, and resilient public infrastructure.”
Moreover, “A regional protocol affirming the Right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and the Right to Say No. Urgent review and cancellation of predatory Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and trade deals that undermine people’s sovereignty.”
The worsening gap between the rich, 1% and the general population continues to widen globally, Southern Africa included, owing to corruption, neocolonialism, mismanagement and it remains to regional blocs that they may reign in these uncouth operational standards government’s have adopted.