TRADE AND MONETARY TIES
MDC Alliance targets closer links with regional bodies
The MDC's bold plan to join Southern African customs and currency blocs has implications beyond Zimbabwe's borders, write Catherine Grant Makokera and Brian Mureverwi
If it came off, a proposal by Zimbabwe’s official opposition to join the oldest customs union in the world, one that is anchored in SA’s membership, would be far-reaching. Even more profound would be the move to join the region’s monetary union. The recently released "Smart" manifesto of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance proposes that Zimbabwe will join both the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) and the Southern African Common Monetary Area (CMA) should the party be successful in July’s elections. These bold moves would have implications beyond the borders of Zimbabwe. They are particularly relevant this week as the Sacu heads of state meet in Gaborone. Sacu is a little understood but critical regional structure in Southern Africa. Its members are Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, SA and Swaziland. These five countries have been joined together in this partnership for 108 years, making the group the oldest customs union in the world.
The CMA of Southern Africa (a...
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