BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini wants to see a SADC that is characterised by peace and stability.
This is seen by the premier’s participation in the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, which is taking place in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is chairing the summit, as the current chairperson of the SADC region.
According to Eswatini Government, the prime minister yesterday (Wednesday, November 20, 2024) joined his fellow Heads of State and Government for the opening ceremony of the summit.
Eswatini Government continued to state that the main purpose of the summit was to review the peace and security issues in the SADC region. However, the Herald of Zimbabwe has stated that the peace and security issues to be reviewed will also focus on what is happening in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Zimbabwean newspaper has stated that during the summit, the SADC leaders will receive an update on the situation in the DRC. On December 15, 2023, SADC deployed a mission to that country, on a one-year mandate to restore peace, security and stability in that country to pave way for sustainable development.
DRC is facing displacement crises in the eastern part of the country, where the Congolese army is said to be at loggerheads with a rebel group known as the March 23 Movement (M23) for control of the eastern part of DRC. The crisis is said to have affected around 7.3 million people.
Tensions are said to have intensified this year, targeting civilians, schools, hospitals, and displacement camps.
According to a press statement issued by the SADC Head Office on the event, the Extraordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government was preceded by the Extraordinary SADC Organ Troika Summit, which was Chaired by H.E Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council representing Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics Defence and Security Cooperation.
Another notable conflict within the SADC region, which might be discussed during the summit, is the one that is obtaining in Mozambique.
This publication reported last week (November 12, 2024) that tensions ensued in that country after the October 9 presidential elections. The elections resulted in Presidential Candidate Daniel Chapo, who was FRELIMO’s candidate, winning the elections. He is expected to be inaugurated in January next year as Mozambique’s President, replacing current President Felipe Nyusi.
According to Mozambique’s National Elections Commission, Chapo won with 70.67 percent of the national vote, followed by independent candidate Venancio Mondlane, with 20.32 percent of the vote. The candidate of the opposition party RENAMO, Ossufo Momade, came third with 5.81 percent of the total votes.
According to international media outlets, the tensions resulted in the deaths of over 30 people now, as opposition candidates felt the elections were being rigged, with some natives of that country taking up arms on the matter.
