BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Eswatini has been hailed for stepping up to shoulder key responsibilities within the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation ahead of formally assuming the Organ’s chairship.
The recognition came from Malawi Second Vice-President Enock Kanzingeni Chihana during the closing remarks of the SADC Organ Troika Summit held in Durban on Sunday.
Chihana, speaking on behalf of Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika, said Eswatini had demonstrated its readiness to assume responsibility whenever the situation required during Malawi’s tenure as chair of the Organ.
He said Eswatini’s willingness to step in was demonstrated barely a month after Malawi joined the Troika as the incoming chair.
At the time, Malawi was preparing for its General Elections, while Tanzania, which was the outgoing chair, was also preparing for its own general elections.
According to Chihana, Eswatini willingly stepped in to take responsibility for leading the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to Malawi.
The mission was subsequently delivered, with Chihana describing it as having been meticulously carried out.
“Eswatini willingly stepped in to shoulder the responsibility of heading SEOM in Malawi, a task which was meticulously delivered,” Chihana said.
He said Eswatini subsequently deployed to additional electoral observation missions in Tanzania and Seychelles.
The deployments took place as Eswatini served as the incoming member of the Organ Troika, with the Kingdom working alongside Malawi as the current chair and Tanzania as the outgoing chair.
Chihana said Eswatini’s performance in these assignments had contributed to Malawi’s confidence as it handed over the chairship of the Organ.
“We are, therefore, confident that we are leaving the mantle in good and tested hands as the Kingdom assumes the Chairship of the Organ Troika,” he said.
The acknowledgement comes as Eswatini prepares to take over the leadership of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation from Malawi.
The Organ is responsible for matters relating to politics, defence and security within the regional bloc, including supporting peace, security, democratic governance and stability among member states.
Chihana also expressed Malawi’s gratitude to Eswatini for the close cooperation and collaboration during Malawi’s chairship of the Organ.
He said the Kingdom’s readiness to assume responsibilities when required had been demonstrated through its participation in regional electoral observation efforts.
The SADC Electoral Observation Missions form part of the regional bloc’s mechanisms for supporting peaceful and credible electoral processes across member states.
During the past year, SADC deployed observation missions to several member states, including Malawi, Tanzania and Seychelles, with Eswatini taking a role in leading or participating in missions during its tenure as incoming chair.
Chihana’s remarks also marked the conclusion of Tanzania’s three-year tenure as a member of the Organ Troika.
He expressed gratitude to Tanzania for serving the Organ from 2024 to 2026, including chairing it from 2024 to 2025.
He said Tanzania had served the region during a period marked by significant activities and challenges arising from the situation in Mozambique and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Tanzania also led crucial SADC Electoral Observation Missions to various elections in the region during its tenure.
Chihana further thanked the SADC Secretariat for its technical and administrative support throughout Malawi’s chairship of the Troika.
He also expressed appreciation to South Africa for providing facilities in Durban that enabled the successful hosting of the meetings.
The Troika Summit adopted recommendations intended to provide strategic guidance on peace and security, constitutional order, democracy and people-centred governance in the region.
As Malawi concludes its role as chair, the Organ’s leadership is set to pass to Eswatini, which will now assume responsibility for guiding its work within the SADC peace and security architecture.
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