[DEBATE] : South Africa helping negotiate a SADC EPA

[Thomas Deve]

Dear Comrades
Do you recall that we circulated a communiqué from the SADC people's summit
wherein the participants noted that "We are particularly concerned that the
EU's plan for so-called Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA's) with our
countries is having the effect of splitting SADC into two groups and
undermining the potential for our future co-coordinated regional programmes
for mutual economic and social development. We call on all the governments
of SADC to reject this divisive plan by the EU which is designed to serve
the interests of their own exporters and investors."
It has come to our attention that African governments are under pressure to
sign an EPA agreement with the EU. In order to hasten their process,
governments in the south have secured the help of South Africa in their
current negotiations. What are implications of this when we know very well
what the TDCA stands for.
We are keen to find out if any of you have started monitoring the EPA review
process and would want to share strategies on how we can mobilize to "Stop
the EPAs". Your interventions even off the list will be greatly appreciated.
We have to campaign against these proposed FTAs.

In solidarity

DEVE T