BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE– Eswatini has pledged to lead the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation through collaboration, consultation and consensus-building as the Kingdom prepares to assume the chairmanship of the regional security body.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Senator Pholile Shakantu made the commitment while representing Eswatini at the 28th Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation held in Salima, Malawi, on Thursday.
Shakantu, who is the incoming chairperson of the MCO, said Eswatini’s leadership would be anchored on inclusive engagement with SADC member states, the Secretariat and other stakeholders.
“As the Kingdom of Eswatini prepares to assume the Chairmanship of the Organ Troika by His Majesty King Mswati III, Eswatini reaffirms its commitment to principled, inclusive, and collaborative leadership,” Shakantu said.
She stated that the Kingdom would work closely with Troika partners and all SADC member states to strengthen peace, security and political stability in the region.
“We look forward to working closely with our Troika partners, all member states, the SADC Secretariat, and all relevant stakeholders in advancing the Organ’s mandate and strengthening peace, security, and political stability across our region,” she said.
Shakantu further pledged that Eswatini would prioritise dialogue and cooperation during its tenure.
“The Kingdom of Eswatini pledges robust engagement with all stakeholders and an unwavering commitment to consensus-building, consultation, and African solutions to African challenges,” she said.
The MCO is a statutory structure of SADC responsible for coordinating regional peace, security and political stability matters. It brings together ministers responsible for foreign affairs, defence, state security and public security from member states.
Eswatini is set to assume the leadership of the SADC Organ Troika following the current chairmanship held by Malawi. Tanzania is the outgoing chairperson of the MCO, while Eswatini is the incoming chair.
The transition places Eswatini at the centre of regional discussions on peace and security, with the Kingdom expected to provide political guidance and facilitate cooperation among member states.
The meeting was officially opened by Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr George Chaponda, who is the current Chairperson of the MCO.
Chaponda said the meeting was taking place at a time when the regional and global environment continued to change rapidly, requiring sustained cooperation among SADC countries.
“While SADC has made commendable progress in promoting peace, democratic governance and regional cooperation, we remain mindful that sustaining these achievements requires continued vigilance, dialogue and collective action,” he said.
He described the Ministerial Committee as one of the key pillars through which SADC advances its vision of a peaceful, secure and stable Southern Africa.
“The matters before us require thoughtful consideration and a shared commitment to finding practical and forward-looking solutions,” Chaponda said.
He encouraged member states to engage openly and constructively, guided by the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, consensus and a shared commitment to peace and development.
The ministerial meeting followed a Senior Officials Meeting held on July 13 and 14, 2026, which prepared reports and recommendations for consideration by ministers.
Eswatini’s delegation included senior officials from government and security institutions involved in regional cooperation and national security matters.
The delegation comprised Eswatini’s High Commissioner to Mozambique His Excellency Mlondi Dlamini; Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Dorcas Dlamini; Deputy National Commissioner of the Royal Eswatini Police Service Mumcy Dlamini; Deputy National Commissioner responsible for State Security Vusi Edgarson Mkhabela; and Under Secretary Political in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vulindlela Kunene.
Also part of the delegation were Brigadier General Petros Bhembe, Chief of Defence Intelligence in the Ministry of Defence and Security; Commissioner Nomkhosi Fakudze of the Royal Eswatini Police Service; Director of the SADC Unit in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development Thobile Mavuso; International Cooperation Coordinator Zandi Dlamini; Defence Attaché at the Eswatini High Commission in Pretoria Nombuso Dlamini; and Assistant Socio-Political Analyst Bagcinele Maphanga.
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(Courtesy Pic)
