STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL DURING STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS FOR THE SADC MODEL LAW ON PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, WITH LINE MINISTRIES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF ACCOUNTANTS GENERAL
15 Fév 2022 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumOur Keynote Speaker, Hon. Maureen Hinda- Mbuende,Deputy Minister of Finance ,in the Republic of Namibia, a distinguished Finance practitioner in both private and public spheres
- Distinguished Gatekeepers and engines of our Ministries responsible for Finance, Economic Development, Good Governance and Institutional reforms, Planning Commissions, and Accountants General of SADC Member States and all Officials in their hierarchy;
- Mr Daniel Greenberg, Legal Drafter for the SADC Model Law on Public Financial Management;
- Meeting Facilitator, Mr Jason Rosario Braganza an Economist with over ten years’ experience working on international development in Africa specialising on trade and regional integration; finance for development and tax among others;
- Representative of Media Organisations;
- Distinguished Participants;
- Ladies and Gentlemen;
Dear Colleagues and distinguished participants,
- Introduction
Allow me to heartily welcome you as representatives of Line Ministries and Accountant General Departments to this consultative event held in the margins of the adoption of the SADC Model Law on Public Financial Management (PFM).
As you may be aware, the Forum is accustomed to engaging in multi-stakeholder consultative sessions prior to the adoption of its Model Laws in view of ensuring that the Model Law is as inclusive as possible taking into account the objective of the Forum to promote participatory democracy through the preparation of its legislative instruments.
In this respect, a series of consultations will be held with stakeholders and it has been deemed appropriate to engage representatives of Line Ministries and Offices of the Accountant General at an early stage in the consultation process in view of harvesting your crucial views on PFM from an administrative and governance perspective.
As you are aware, PFM involves diverse aspects all of which cannot be encapsulated in a single legislation. From procurement of contracts to financial instructions for Government to draw invoices, there is a range of PFM issues which prevail that needs to be mastered by representatives of Line Ministries and Accountants Generals.
You will find that the Model Law addresses PFM from the parliamentary angle, in other words from the effective oversight which may be exerted by Parliament over PFM processes which are conducted by the State through Line Ministries, the Accountant General or other statutory bodies. It is thus within this contextual framework that stakeholders present today should consider the provisions of the Model Law.
When examining the Model Law, you will thus be guided to comment on the interactions between Line Ministries and Accountants General on the one hand, and Parliament on the other hand.
- Why engage Line Ministries and Accountants General?
I shall now say a few words on the reasons for engaging representatives of Line Ministries and Accountants General today.
It is commonplace that Line Ministries and Accountants General are the implementers of the PFM system. Line Ministries prepare the budget, manage public debt, engage in State expenditures, and monitor the whole system for discrepancies. While Line Ministries also engage in policy on PFM, the Offices of the Accountants General disburse funds and pay to the interested parties pursuant to receiving instructions to that effect. The main fund used by Government, which is often called the Consolidated Fund in many SADC Member States, is managed by Line Ministries with disbursements made by the Accountant General. You will kindly find that the notion of Consolidated Fund, and its management, equally prevails in the SADC Model Law under Part 4.
Line Ministries and the Accountant General both comply with the appropriation ceilings approved by Parliament through Budget legislation and they adhere to the existing PFM framework. These aspects are covered under Part 5 of the Model Law.
In this respect, there can be no better than Line Ministries and representatives of Accountant General Offices to give their constructive views on the existing PFM framework and comment on the SADC Model Law in view of enhancing same for the guiding reference of Member States. Whilst you will note that the Finance Ministry is involved with nearly all Parts of the SADC Model Law, especially Parts 3 to 8, there is also the necessary reporting to Parliament which is conducted through Parliamentary Questions and the tabling of financial reports.
It is apt to add that from a policy perspective, all regulations pertaining to PFM are developed by the Finance Ministry, although the regulations may be mainly for logistical purposes where independent institutions such as the Office of the Auditor General or the Central Bank are concerned.
In addition, I wish to emphasize that Line Ministries will be the principal protagonists involved in the eventual domestication of the SADC Model Law on PFM after its adoption. Hence, it is imperative for representatives present today to understand the main provisions of the Model Law in view of working out how they compare with national legislation, and earmark the areas for improvement which could be made at national level at the appropriate legislative opportunity.
Furthermore, representatives of Line Ministries and Accountant General Offices also interact with Ministers and Parliamentarians, and are best placed to advise them on the reforms which need to take place to improve the PFM framework of Member States. You are permanent advisers and counsellors on PFM processes and since most of you are public officials, you remain unaffected by election cycles and thus stay on to advise successive governments. It
is thus quintessential that you are capacitated on the PFM Model Law well before the legal instrument is adopted and communicated to Member States through their domestic parliaments.
- Expectations from the audience
Charting the way forward, I would like to mention that today, a presentation will be made by the legal drafter on the PFM Model Law which will cover aspects that relate to Line Ministries and Accountants General. You are invited to engage comprehensively with the presenter and pinpoint any areas for improvement. In addition, you may also wish to submit your comments in writing after the end of the session. Same will considered by the legal drafter in view of alignment with international best practices and eventual incorporation in the Model Law.
You are also invited to comment on the adequacy of the Model Law and to express your views on the significance of this legislative instrument developed under the auspices of the SADC-PF.
- Way forward in terms of domestication
As mentioned earlier, the Model Law will be progressively domesticated at national level, with Line Ministries and Accountants General playing a crucial role to unpack the Model Law for the understanding of MPs and other stakeholders, as well as facilitate its acceptance at institutional level.
Progressive domestication will also be buttressed by the Forum’s dedicated organ in the form of the Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) which consists of MPs who are Chairpersons of all Standing Committees of the Forum. After the adoption of the Model Law, parliamentary Scorecards will be issued to Line Ministries to fill in view of setting a baseline and monitoring domestication progress. Representatives of Line Ministries and Accountant General Offices will thus be called upon to contribute to the Scorecards at the appropriate time.
- Conclusion
Dear Colleagues and distinguished participants,
I wish to end these introductory remarks by thanking you again for your participation. Ministries and departments such as the Offices of the Accountant Generals are significant scaffolds which tightly fasten together the structure of a healthy parliamentary democracy. If one part of the scaffold falters, the whole structure is put at risk and may threaten to collapse. Your roles are thus pivotal to PFM and your contributions today will likewise constitute important intel that will serve to steer the PFM Model Law to its right destination.
On this thankful note, I wish you all a pleasant session.
Thank you.
Ms. Boemo Sekgoma, Secretary General,
SADC Parliamentary Forum 15th February 2022
**
MEDIA ADVISORY: SADC PF KICKS OFF CONSULTATIONS ON DRAFT MODEL LAW ON PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT WITH SADC AUDITORS GENERAL
07 Fév 2022 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumWINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Monday 07 February 2022 – The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) will tomorrow, Tuesday 08 February 2022, kick off its series of consultative meetings on the draft SADC Model Law on Public Financial Management.
The SADC PF, through its Standing Committees, has identified various legal and regulatory gaps in PFM that weaken the public financial management system and impedes the State’s ability to address its national objectives as well as fulfil international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
African Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E) English Region CEO, Ms Meisie Nkau, will deliver the keynote address at the first virtual consultative meeting to be held with the Auditors General of SADC Member States.Mr Daniel Greenberg, the Legal Drafter of the Model Law, will present the draft.
About 15 consultative meetings are scheduled with representatives of stakeholders involved in the PFM value chain including SADC ministries responsible for finance, Revenue Authorities, Attorneys Generals, the police, and civil society organisations.
Details of the session are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 08 February 2022
Time: 10:00 to 14:30 Harare/Pretoria Time.
MEDIA ACCESS: Meetings of the SADC-PF are open to the media and journalists who are interested in covering them must register on the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuduuvqD4rE9POoIaurPNUdcrACIqOdH5H
The meetings will be streamed live on the SADC-PF social media platforms on the links below and broadcast live (or recorded for later broadcast) on DSTV Channel 408:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadcpf
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sadcpf
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCa0QZWjuXVxer_vm637pBmQ
ISSUED BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
Enquiries: Modise Kabeli +27 81 715 9969 or org"> [AT] </">
WINDHOEK-NAMIBIE, mercredi 2 février 2022 – Le Forum parlementaire de la Communauté de développement de l’Afrique australe (FP SADC) s’apprête à démarrer une série de réunions consultatives visant à élaborer un projet de loi type de la SADC sur la gestion des finances publiques (GFP) afin d’améliorer le contrôle parlementaire et de stimuler la transparence, l’ouverture et l’efficacité eu égard à l’utilisation des fonds publics dans la région.
Par l’entremise de ses commissions permanentes, le FP SADC a identifié dans la GFP diverses lacunes juridiques et réglementaires qui affaiblissent le mécanisme de gestion des finances publiques et entravent la capacité de l’État à atteindre ses objectifs nationaux et à honorer ses engagements internationaux, tels que les Objectifs de développement durable (ODD) et la Couverture santé universelle (CSU).
« La région de la SADC est confrontée à plusieurs lacunes juridiques et réglementaires qui fragilisent les fonctions législative, budgétaire et de contrôle des parlements, de sorte qu’elles compromettent la conception d’une gestion saine des finances publiques, mettant ainsi en péril l’existence même d’institutions démocratiques. Il va de soi que la bonne gouvernance, une GFP saine, l’absence de corruption et l’état de droit sont des concepts qui sont inextricablement liés et indissociables dans le contexte contemporain. À travers le monde, il est bien établi qu’une mauvaise GFP peut rapidement se transformer en symptôme d’une démocratie défaillante », a déclaré la Secrétaire générale du FP SADC, Mme Boemo Sekgoma.
Parmi ces lacunes figurent notamment la portée restreinte des rapports soumis au contrôle des Comités des comptes publics, les pouvoirs d’exécution insuffisants dont disposent ces Comités, la non-application des règlements sur la dette du secteur public, l’absence de budgets fondés sur les performances s’accompagnant d’indicateurs de performance fondamentaux clairs, l’usage abusif des budgets supplémentaires et l’absence de contrôle du parlement par rapport au nombre illimité de contrats publics qui peuvent être conclus par l’exécutif. S’y ajoute le manque notable d’harmonisation entre les objectifs fixés dans le budget et les engagements régionaux et internationaux ratifiés par l’État.
Par exemple, dans tous les pays de la SADC, les Comités des comptes publics ne disposent pas de pouvoirs d’exécution suffisants et, dans la plupart des cas, leurs rapports ne font l’objet d’aucun suivi une fois qu’ils ont été soumis au parlement. De plus, dans au moins quatre pays de la SADC, il existe des lois ou des directives administratives sur la gestion de la dette publique, fixant des plafonds tels que 50 % ou 60 % du produit intérieur brut, mais sans préciser de peine applicable au cas où le plafond est dépassé.
En outre, dans au moins cinq pays de la SADC, les Comités des comptes publics sont habilités à examiner uniquement le rapport du vérificateur général et non pas les rapports d’audit des organes statutaires ou des pouvoirs publics. « Cela signifie qu’en cas de mauvaise gestion des fonds publics par des organes statutaires, c’est le conseil de cet organe statutaire qui est tenu de prendre des mesures après avoir reçu le rapport d’audit et que ce rapport n’est pas soumis au parlement bien que le parlement puisse être en train d’allouer des fonds à cet organe statutaire par le biais du budget annuel », a indiqué la Secrétaire générale, Mme Sekgoma.
Un autre problème essentiel est le manque d’informations qui entoure les budgets annuels des États. Généralement, aucune exigence n’est formulée pour rendre compte des modalités selon lesquelles le budget contribue à appuyer l’égalité entre les sexes, les ODD, la CSU et de la façon dont le budget concorde avec d’autres programmes régionaux tels que l’Agenda 2063 de l’Afrique. Les documents relatifs au budget doivent s’écarter d’une « version purement comptable » pour apparaître comme des documents dynamiques et vivants, couvrant tous les aspects et illustrant les progrès accomplis par l’État en matière de développement.
La loi type de la SADC sur la GFP vise donc à revitaliser et à moderniser les cadres de GFP des parlements membres de la SADC à un moment où la responsabilité de l’exécutif dans la gestion des fonds publics est devenue une question centrale aux yeux de l’opinion publique. La loi type ouvrira la voie à une région de la SADC qui sera financièrement transparente, responsable et efficace, avec un parlement qui exercera un contrôle adéquat et opportun par rapport aux opérations financières de l’État tout en continuant à se montrer respectueux du sacro-saint principe de la séparation des pouvoirs. La loi type répondra aussi au besoin d’une législation sur les cryptomonnaies qui influenceront probablement les économies et les marchés financiers de la SADC au cours des prochaines décennies.
La rédaction de la loi type a été initiée par un rédacteur juridique ayant une expertise dans les affaires législatives qui travaille sous l’étroite supervision d’un groupe de travail technique composé d’experts en GFP. À l’issue de réunions successives du groupe de travail technique, un avant-projet de la loi type a été élaboré. Afin de progresser sur la voie de la finalisation du projet de la loi type, il est prévu que le FP SADC tienne environ 15 consultations avec des représentants de diverses parties prenantes engagées dans les multiples aspects de la gestion des finances publiques, y compris des ministères de la SADC chargés des finances, des vérificateurs généraux, les autorités fiscales, des procureurs généraux, des services de renseignement financier, la police, des procureurs et des organisations de la société civile, pour n’en citer que quelques-unes.
La première séance de consultations se tiendra le mardi 8 février à 10 h avec les vérificateurs généraux des 15 États membres de la SADC affiliés au FP SADC. Les parties prenantes sont encouragées à répondre aux invitations et à participer de la façon la plus active qui soit afin de veiller à ce que la loi type soit aussi inclusive que possible et reflète les attentes des citoyens de la SADC.
COMMUNIQUÉ PUBLIÉ PAR LE FORUM PARLEMENTAIRE DE LA COMMUNAUTÉ DE DÉVELOPPEMENT DE L’AFRIQUE AUSTRALE
Renseignements : Modise Kabeli +27 81 715 9969 ou org"> [AT] </">sadc">
MEDIA RELEASE: SADC PF TO FORMULATE MODEL LAW TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN SADC
02 Fév 2022 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumWINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Wednesday 02 February 2022 – The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) will soon kick off consultative meetings aimed at putting together a draft SADC Model Law on Public Financial Management (PFM) to heighten parliamentary oversight and boost transparency, openness as well as efficiency in the use of public funds in the region.
The SADC PF, through its Standing Committees, has identified various legal and regulatory gaps in PFM that weaken the public financial management system and impedes the State’s ability to address its national objectives as well as fulfil international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY STATEMENT FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL
10 Déc 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumIt is with immense pleasure that I release this Statement to celebrate Human Rights Day 2021.
Human Rights Day holds particular importance for the Forum and its Member Parliaments not only because the Forum is a steadfast advocate of human rights in Southern Africa, but because human rights lie at the very foundation and constitute a pillar of a healthy democratic framework. It is trite that without a vibrant culture of human rights, parliamentary sovereignty and the Rule of law would be at stake.
This is also to reiterate that the Forum is committed to promoting civil and political human rights (first-generation rights), as well as economic, social and cultural rights (second-generation rights), both of which are embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the African Charter for Human and Peoples’ Rights. Within its Vision to stand as the Flag-Bearer of Democratisation and Socio-Economic Development in Southern Africa, the SADC-PF harnesses core values and guiding principles that speak to the respect for all human rights in their generality. In addition, the Forum also acknowledges the interconnectedness of human rights, and the need not to leave any human right behind when achieving progressive development.
Today, Human Rights Day is also coinciding with the opening ceremony of the 50th Plenary Assembly of the SADC-PF which is a landmark event for the organisation and the Membership. The 50th Plenary Assembly will also be the illustrious platform for the deliberations on the adoption of the SADC Model Law on Gender-Based Violence, the latter being another landmark instrument to promote human rights for all, without discrimination.
In the decade to follow, the Forum pledges to continue leveraging parliamentary democracy and inter-parliamentary cooperation to implement human rights across the SADC region and beyond.
Happy Human Rights Day 2021!
ISSUED BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM SECRETARY GENERAL, MS BOEMO SEKGOMA
DECLARAÇÃO DA SECRETÁRIA-GERAL DO FÓRUM PARLAMENTAR DA SADC POR OCASIÃO DO DIA DOS DIREITOS HUMANOS 10 DE DEZEMBRO DE 2021
09 Déc 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumEstimados Colegas/Parceiros,
É com imenso prazer que divulgo esta Declaração para celebrar o Dia dos Direitos Humanos de 2021.
O Dia dos Direitos Humanos tem particular importância para o Fórum e para os seus Parlamentos Membros, não só porque o Fórum é um acérrimo defensor dos direitos humanos na África Austral, mas também porque os direitos humanos são a pedra angular e constituem um pilar de um quadro democrático saudável. Embora seja prosaico referi-lo, sem uma cultura vibrante de direitos humanos, a soberania parlamentar e o Estado de direito ficariam comprometidos.
Não é demais reiterar que o Fórum está empenhado em promover os direitos humanos civis e políticos (direitos da primeira geração), bem como os direitos económicos, sociais e culturais (direitos da segunda geração), ambos consagrados na Declaração Universal dos Direitos do Homem, e na Carta Africana dos Direitos do Homem e dos Povos. No âmbito da sua Visão de ser o Porta-Estandarte da Democratização e do Desenvolvimento Sócio-Económico na África Austral, o Fórum Parlamentar da SADC mobiliza valores fundamentais e princípios orientadores que falam do respeito por todos os direitos humanos na sua generalidade. Além disso, o Fórum também reconhece a interligação dos direitos humanos, e a necessidade de não deixar qualquer direito humano para trás na consecução de um desenvolvimento progressivo.
Hoje, o Dia dos Direitos Humanos coincide também com a cerimónia de abertura da 50ª Assembleia Plenária do Fórum Parlamentar da SADC, um evento histórico para a organização e para os Membros. A 50ª Assembleia Plenária será também a ilustre plataforma para as deliberações sobre a adopção da Lei Modelo da SADC sobre a Violência Baseada no Género, sendo esta última mais um instrumento de referência para a promoção dos direitos humanos para todos, sem discriminação.
Na próxima década, o Fórum compromete-se a continuar a potenciar a democracia parlamentar e a cooperação interparlamentar com vista a implementar os direitos humanos em toda a região da SADC e para além dela.
Feliz Dia dos Direitos Humanos de 2021!
Os melhores cumprimentos,
Sra. B. Sekgoma,
Secretária-Geral,
Fórum Parlamentar da SADC
10 de Dezembro de 2021
Chers collègues/partenaires,
C’est avec un immense plaisir que je publie ce communiqué destiné à célébrer la Journée des droits de l’homme en 2021.
La Journée des droits de l’homme est particulièrement importante pour le Forum et ses parlements membres non seulement parce que le Forum est un ardent défenseur des droits de l’homme en Afrique australe, mais aussi parce que les droits de l’homme constituent un pilier et le fondement même d’un cadre démocratique sain. Il ne fait aucun doute qu’en l’absence d’une culture vivante des droits de l’homme, la souveraineté parlementaire et l’état de droit seraient en danger.
Cette journée fournit aussi l’occasion de réaffirmer que le Forum est déterminé à promouvoir les droits de l’homme civils et politiques (droits de l’homme de première génération), ainsi que les droits économiques, sociaux et culturels (droits de seconde génération), les deux types de droits étant inscrits dans la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme et la Charte africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples. Dans le cadre de la Vision qui l’anime, l’amenant à se définir comme le porte-drapeau de la démocratisation et du développement socioéconomique en Afrique australe, le FP SADC mobilise des valeurs fondamentales et des principes directeurs qui prônent le respect de tous les droits de l’homme envisagés dans leur globalité. En outre, le Forum reconnaît l’interconnexion des droits de l’homme et la nécessité de ne pas négliger un seul d’entre eux sur la voie de la réalisation d’un développement graduel.
En ce jour, la Journée des droits de l’homme coïncide aussi avec la cérémonie d’ouverture de la 50e Assemblée plénière du FP SADC qui représente un événement historique pour l’organisation et ses membres. La 50e Assemblée plénière offrira également une plateforme de choix pour les délibérations en vue de l’adoption de la Loi type de la SADC relative à la violence basée sur le genre qui représente un autre instrument majeur destiné à promouvoir les droits de l’homme pour tous sans discrimination.
Au cours de la prochaine décennie, le Forum s’engage à continuer à s’appuyer sur la démocratie parlementaire et la coopération interparlementaire pour œuvrer au respect des droits de l’homme dans toute la région de la SADC et au-delà.
Heureuse Journée des droits de l’homme 2021 !
Veuillez agréer, chers collègues/partenaires, mes salutations distinguées.
Mme B. Sekgoma,
Secrétaire générale,
Forum parlementaire de la SADC
10 décembre 2021
Media Statement SADC Parliamentary Forum Statement on Travel Bans
29 Nov 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumMedia Statement SADC Parliamentary Forum Statement on Travel Bans
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA: Sunday, 28 November 2021 The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum is cognisant that the Covid-19 pandemic is causing worldwide fears and tensions, especially with the upsurge of new virus variants.
While public health remains a priority, the Forum considers that there is a need to rely at all times on verified scientific and empirical data, such as those shared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), before imposing travel bans that may seem unjust or harsh for some countries. The need for international cooperation to share information buttresses the recent action of the SADC Group at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held from the 26th-30th November 2021 in Madrid, Spain, which called for greater equality in the procurement and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.
This echoes the reflection made that nobody is safe until everybody is safe from Covid-19. Indeed, if vaccine equality was in place, the virus may have been long overwhelmed instead of mutating into more threatening variants in some countries.
The IPU General Debate unanimously debated this issue as an emergency Item, where all Parliaments of the world gathered. There is no doubt that policymakers, officials, as well as Parliamentarians from the SADC region are engaging counterparts to react to the travel ban and to find solutions for safe travel.
It is imperative that remedial measures be found, especially bearing in mind the human rights of travellers who are stalled in foreign destinations pending the re-opening of the flight routes back home. Perhaps the most important question currently is which vaccine would respond best to the new variants, and if this information is known, vaccine deployment strategies must be engaged to respond accordingly.
Travel bans are never favourable to the economy, whether it is the economy of the imposing country or one of the affected country. Travel bans are also devastating to airline companies who are struggling to stay afloat and to rebuild after almost 2 years of travel slowdown.
It is thus important for bans to be imposed only based on verified and reliable information that has been preferably endorsed by the WHO.
For scheduling media interviews with the SADC Parliamentary Forum Secretary General, Ms Boemo M SEKGOMA please contact: Modise Kabeli on Mobile: +27817159969 or Email:org" data-ep-a910c="media<smal"> or za"> [POINT]"> [P" data-ep-b8cc5="OINT] </small>go">
