Physical Address
Indirizzo: Via Mario Greco 60, Buttigliera Alta, 10090, Torino, Italy
Faced with current economic and geopolitical challenges, Algeria continues its unwavering commitment in favor of the economic and political integration of the continent, and this by strengthening continental solidarity and sovereignty, and pleads for an Africa capable of speaking one voice on the world scene.
This was said by Selma Bachta Mansouri, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of African affairs, on the occasion of the celebration of the 45ᵉ anniversary of the Development Community of Southern Africa (SADC).
Ms. Mansouri immediately said that “this anniversary reminds us of the timeless value of unity, resilience and shared goal”. Returning to the historical foundations of the SADC, born in 1980 in the context of liberation struggles and the quest for sovereignty of the peoples of southern Africa, she recalled that the SADC was first of all a solidarity front against apartheid and colonial injustices, before transforming into a central actor in continental development and cooperation.
This passage illustrates the path traveled by Africa, that “from the fight against colonial dominations to the construction of autonomous models of prosperity”, she underlined in a speech pronounced, in the evening this Monday, at the headquarters of the Embassy of Madagascar in Algiers, on the occasion of the celebration of 45e Anniversary of the creation of SADC.
The Secretary of State continued her speech, declaring that “today, the SADC illustrates the capacity of Africa to organize, to structure itself and to propose a model of regional integration based on cooperation, industrialization and economic complementarity”.
She supported her remarks by quoting the tangible achievements of the organization, like cross -border projects in terms of energy, transport and infrastructure, as well as industrial development and the strengthening of regional value chains. She explained that these initiatives not only boost intra-African trade but also to give Africa a more assertive place in the world markets.
Mansouri also argued that “competitiveness, diversification and innovation are now at the heart of African economic dynamics”, adding that this approach is all the more essential as the continent seeks to redefine its place in an international context marked by geopolitical rivalries and rapid economic changes.
Replacing the SADC in the broader framework of Pan -African ambitions, the Secretary of State spoke of the agenda 2063, a strategic roadmap to build “a united, prosperous and peaceful Africa”. She recalled that the continent is now engaged in the implementation of its second ten-year plan (2024-2033), described as “decade of acceleration”, with a view to transforming ambitions into concrete results. This plan thus emphasizes industrialization, connectivity, democratic governance, but also on the importance of youth and innovation as levers of change. “He calls us to ambitious and transformative actions to respond to the aspirations of our peoples,” she said.
At the heart of this project is the continental African free trade area (Zlecaf/AFCFTA), qualified by Ms. Mansouri as “engine of African transformation”. This mechanism, by opening the markets, by stimulating industrialization and by promoting intra-African exchanges, embodies the spirit of integration that the SADC has defended since its origins. The diplomat has highlighted the importance for African countries to fully appropriate this tool in order to build an integrated, resilient and autonomous continental market, capable of competing with the major global economic blocks.
In the continuity of this vision, the diplomat announced that Algeria will host, from September 4 to 10, the intra-African trade fair (IATF 2025). This major continental event will bring together businesses, investors, innovators, young people and women entrepreneurs to highlight African potential and build new partnerships. She assured that “it will be a showcase of African trade and an opportunity to assert our economic autonomy”, while calling the SADC member countries in active participation.
In addition, this celebration was also marked by a symbolic moment. That of the relay passage between Zimbabwe, represented by Vusumuzi Ntonga, outgoing president of the SADC group in Algiers, and Madagascar, now represented by Jeannie Rafalimanana.
The Secretary of State praised “the clarity of vision and determination” of the Zimbabwe ambassador in his mandate, and expressed her “full confidence” to the ambassador of Madagascar to continue this mission at a crucial time of African integration. She assured that Algeria would continue to provide unwavering support to the work of the SADC group in Algiers, a symbol of South-South Fraternity and Cooperation.
In conclusion of her speech, Ms. Mansouri launched an appeal vibrating to “remain faithful to the principles of unity, solidarity and integration” which have been the action of the SADC for 45 years. “It is together, speaking with one voice, that Africa will be able to defend its interests and trace its way to prosperity,” she said, recalling that the future of the continent will depend on its ability to unite in the face of global challenges.