BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat has expressed confidence in working closely with His Majesty King Mswati III as he prepares to assume the Chairpersonship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi said the regional bloc looks forward to working with the King in advancing peace, security, democratic governance and regional stability.
Magosi made the remarks during the SADC Organ Troika Summit held in Durban, South Africa, on Sunday, where His Majesty King Mswati III attended as the incoming Chairperson of the Organ.
“Warm congratulations” were extended to the King as Eswatini prepares to take over the leadership role from Tanzania.
“We look forward to working closely with His Majesty in advancing our shared objectives of peace, security, democratic governance, and regional stability,” Magosi said.
The remarks position His Majesty King Mswati III to play a central role in guiding the region’s peace and security agenda during his tenure.
The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation is responsible for promoting peace and security in the region and forms a key part of the bloc’s regional peace and security architecture.
Magosi said the Organ remained a cornerstone of SADC’s efforts to strengthen peace, security and stability, which he described as essential foundations for development, economic growth and shared prosperity.
He said the region remained generally stable and free from inter-state conflict, but acknowledged that several security and political challenges continued to require collective attention.
Among the major issues confronting SADC is the security and humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which Magosi described as deeply concerning.
He said SADC remained committed to efforts aimed at securing a peaceful and durable political solution to the conflict, while restoring stability and creating conditions for sustainable development.
The eastern DRC crisis was also highlighted by Malawi’s Second Vice-President, Right Honourable Enock Kanzingeni Chihana, who represented Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika, the current Chairperson of the Organ.
Chihana said the people of eastern DRC had “not known peace for too long”, stressing that achieving peace would require collective regional efforts.
He pointed to initiatives involving the East African Community and the African Union, as well as the Washington Accords and Doha Peace Framework, as important efforts towards addressing the conflict.
The Malawi Vice-President also raised concern over the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, saying the health crisis was compounding the security situation.
He commended Angola, South Africa and Zimbabwe for providing financial resources towards efforts to combat the outbreak.
Madagascar was another key issue before the Troika Summit, with SADC continuing to support efforts aimed at restoring constitutional order and political stability in the country.
Magosi said SADC had remained actively engaged through diplomatic engagement, mediation and the work of its Panel of Elders.
Chihana also commended the shuttle diplomacy mission led by former Malawi President Joyce Banda and called for continued support for nationwide consultations ahead of the country’s general elections.
In Mozambique, SADC welcomed the launch of an Inclusive National Dialogue following the 2024 elections.
Magosi said the dialogue represented an important step towards strengthening national cohesion, democratic participation and political consensus.
Chihana said it was encouraging that the Mozambican Government and opposition were engaged in national dialogue aimed at addressing political challenges and violence that erupted after the elections.
He also noted ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in Cabo Delgado, saying it was in the region’s common interest to eliminate terrorism.
Beyond individual conflicts, the incoming leadership of the Organ will also have to oversee broader efforts to strengthen democratic governance and regional preparedness.
Magosi said SADC Electoral Observation Missions had been deployed to Malawi, Seychelles, Tanzania and Zambia during the past year, reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to credible, transparent and peaceful elections.
He also highlighted progress towards establishing the SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot in Botswana.
Once operational, the facility is expected to strengthen the region’s ability to respond rapidly to peace support operations, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters.
As Tanzania concludes its tenure on the Organ Troika, Magosi commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her contribution to regional peace and security, particularly in relation to peace efforts in eastern DRC and the orderly withdrawal of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
He also acknowledged Mutharika’s leadership of the Organ during his tenure.
Magosi said SADC was confident that the Organ would continue advancing its mandate under the King’s leadership, with the Secretariat ready to work closely with him.
The Troika Summit is being held ahead of the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, where regional leaders are expected to deliberate on matters affecting the bloc.
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