Chapter Fifteen
LANGUAGE
ARTICLE 37
The working languages of SADC shall be English and Portuguese and such other languages
as the Council may determine.
Chapter Sixteen
SAVING PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 38
A Sectoral Committee, Sector Coordinating Unit or any other institution, obligation or
arrangement of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference which exists
immediately before the coming into force of this Treaty, shall to the extent that it is not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Treaty, continue to subsist, operate or bind Member
States or SADC as if it were established or undertaken under this Treaty, until the Council or
Summit determines otherwise.
Chapter Seventeen
SIGNATURE, RATIFICATION, ENTRY INTO FORCE, ACCESSION
AND DEPOSITARY
ARTICLE 39
SIGNATURE
This Treaty shall be signed by the High Contracting Parties.
ARTICLE 40
RATIFICATION
This treaty shall be ratified by the Signatory States in accordance with their constitutional
procedures.
ARTICLE 41
ENTRY INTO FORCE
This Treaty shall enter into force thirty (30) days after the deposit of the instruments of
ratification by two-third of the States listed in the Preamble.
ARTICLE 42
ACCESSION
This Treaty shall remain open for accession by any state subject to Article 8 of this Treaty.
ARTICLE 43
DEPOSITARY
1. The original texts of this Treaty and Protocols and all instruments of ratification and
accession shall be deposited with the Executive Secretary of SADC, who shall transmit
certified copies to all Member States.