Necessary arrangements are on-going to recruit the successor to Paulina Mbala Elago, the Executive Secretary of SACU who will be completing her term of office in October 2022, Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of Botswana and chairperson of the summit of the SACU Heads of State or government has revealed.
Although there is no clear candidate yet to succeed Elago, Business Express understands that the regional bloc has been highly satisfied with the work that has done during her reign.
Elago joined the SACU Secretariat in 2014.
At the recently concluded 7th summit of the SACU Heads of State and/or government, Masisi highlighted Elago’s professionalism, dedication and commitment in leading the Secretariat and implementing SACU’s regional agenda.
SACU is not only a source of significant revenue for Namibia, but through the free movement of goods, SACU helps to build regional value chains, and thereby propel the region to tap into global value chains. It has been reported that for the financial year 2021/22, Namibia’s share of the SACU receipts will decline by about 34% to N$14.8 billion, down from N$22.3 billion in 2020/21.
“As I recall, Ms Elago had to facilitate the revitalization of the SACU work programme after an extended period of a stalemate in its implementation, as well as coordinating engagements amongst the Member States. This was her first assignment when she joined the Secretariat in 2014.
“Other notable achievements during her term include the conclusion of the negotiations of the AfCFTA; SACU, Mozambique and United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement as well as the implementation of the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement and SACU-EFTA Free Trade Area Agreement. The implementation of the SACU Customs Modernisation Programme is another successful key initiative she has overseen including the recently adopted Strategic Plan for 2022-2027,” Masisi said in awe of Elago adding that he was pleased to note that SACU’s visibility as a regional economic vehicle for industrialisation has been enhanced through various engagements and initiatives continentally and beyond, including in respective member states.
“The Secretariat has also successfully hosted the respective Chairpersons of the SACU Summit at the Headquarters, in Windhoek. Through this initiative, the Chairpersons (myself included), were able to appreciate the operations of the organisation, the challenges faced and measures to address them through the respective institutions of SACU as well as meeting the key resource of the organisation, the staff of the Secretariat.
“Thank you, Ms Elago, for all your hard work in getting us to where we are as an organisation. May the lord bless you abundantly in your future endeavours,” Masisi said.
Also speaking at the event, Elago expressed gratitude saying: “As this is my last Summit, given the end of my term of office in October 2022, I wish to extend my gratitude and appreciation to the Summit for the support they have over the years given to the Secretariat to facilitate implementation of your programmes. I look forward to your continued support as well as to my successor.”
She also noted that the implementation of the AfCFTA is a major priority for SACU as it presents the best opportunity for the region to achieve its integration objectives at both the regional and continental levels.
“For SACU, the key is to position herself strategically to take full advantage of the export opportunities and ultimately diversify and broaden its industrial capacity to supply the African Continent and beyond. Currently our main priority is the finalisation of the Rules of Origin and Tariff Offers. Having submitted an initial tariff offer, we are now working to conclude the offer that meets the 90% level of ambition,” Elago said further stating that the work the Union is implementing now, represents notable progress and attainable development prospects and successful implementation will create the necessary momentum to further deepen regional integration and stimulate growth.
Among other issues and based on the guidance provided by the Summit, the Council of Ministers has been directed to ensure that the finalisation of the Implementation Plan and review of the Organisational Structure of the Secretariat are expedited in order to facilitate the implementation of the strategic plan.
The Summit also reaffirmed that the necessary resources will be availed to ensure a successful fruition of this process. It will however be critical that we engage, collaborate and strengthen partnerships with our Development Partners for the financial support that would make all this a reality, considering the economic challenges that we are currently facing, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.