Southern African MPs debate OACPS funding priorities

May 10, 2026

Prince Lindani and co-chairpersons preside over the Southern African regional parliamentary group meeting in Ezulwini, where parliamentarians discussed the Samoa Agreement and key sub-regional priorities. | Photo: OACPS Secretariat

Ezulwini – Parliamentarians from the Southern African block under the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) exchanged views on their priorities and key issues relating to the implementation of the Samoa Agreement, high on the list being a mechanism for funding for its independence from outside influence.

The countries agreed that the Samoa Agreement, which came into force in November 2023, provides a broad framework for the cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union, including on issues such as peace and security, human and social development, economic growth, climate change, governance and migration.

The Samoa Agreement supersedes the Cotonou Protocol and emphasises the significance of regional communication while acknowledging the role of parliaments in contributing to the development process, according to OACPS Secretary General Doreen Walsweer, who described the agreement’s history.

Southern African regional parliamentary group meeting in Ezulwini, where parliamentarians discussed funding independence, the implementation of the Samoa Agreement and key priorities for the sub-region under the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.| Photo: OACPS Secretariat

She also said the 120th session of the OACPS Council adopted the rules of procedure for the joint institutions and the guidelines governing partnership dialogue under the Samoa agreement. This places the implementation of the Samoa agreement as a high priority.

Country representatives submitted that the rules will need to be adopted at this joint council level so the work of the joint council can begin.

“This step will allow the assembly to receive the necessary support through the governance structures of the regional protocol level, which will provide for the respective ministers to address our assembly,” Walsweer said.

Other points of discussion included identifying the key priorities for the Africa region that will guide and inform the broader reflection at the level of the OACPS Africa region parliamentary group.

It was also discussed that members may wish to share views on the main priorities for Southern Africa within the framework of the Samoa agreement.

“Our objective today, colleagues, is therefore to identify the main concerns and priorities of the sub-region that could help inform our broader regional engagement going forward,” the chairperson said.