Leaders meeting in Malawi

Officials from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) began meeting in the Malawian business capital of Blantyre on Monday, to hammer out agreements on defence, security and politics, fisheries, the control of small arms, corruption and information, culture and sport, AFP reported. The five protocols are expected to be signed by heads of state from the 14-nation trading bloc at a three day summit, which begins on Thursday. The restructuring of the regional economy and rampant HIV/AIDS would also be discussed, Prega Ramsamy, the group’s secretary general told journalists. Southern African countries have among world’s highest HIV infection rates. The region’s productivity had declined, increasing numbers of people were dependent on welfare and the fabric of society was disintegrating, Ramsamy said. “AIDS is no longer a health issue but a development issue,” Ramsamy told journalists. The Southern African Development Community comprises South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Mauritius, Mozambique and Seychelles. All heads of state, other than Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, have confirmed they will be attending the summit.