Sadc deals anti-Zim bid a blow

Mr Elias Magosi said: “The summit commended member states that have committed additional pledges towards deploying the SAMIDRC.

“Summit reiterated the need for SADC to spearhead efforts towards mobilisation of resources for facilitating peace and security in the SADC region. These efforts include reviving discussions to establish and operationalise the SADC Peace Fund and engaging international co-operating partners.” The summit, he also said, received an update on polls in SADC member states and noted the report of the SADC Election Observer Mission to the harmonised elections in Zimbabwe held in August, as well as the general elections in Eswatini in September.

Added Mr Magosi: “Summit wished the Republic of Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo peaceful and successful elections as the two SADC member states hold their elections in November and December 2023, respectively, and reiterated SADC’s support through the deployment of the SADC Election Observer Mission.

“Summit reiterated the urgent need for all stakeholders, in particular political parties in the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Lesotho, to ensure that the reform process is brought to finality in the interest of national political, economic and security stability.”

The region also commended efforts by President Lourenço, as the designated facilitator by the African Union (AU), in bringing peace in eastern DRC.

The SADC chairperson, supported by the Organ Troika, was also mandated to intensify diplomatic efforts between the DRC and Rwanda to bring lasting peace in the DRC.

Other leaders who attended yesterday’s summit include DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema and President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania.

Also present were Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekane; Namibia Vice President Dr Nangolo Mbumba; Botswana Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Lemogang Kwape; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malawi Nancy Gladys Tembo; Mozambique Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Verónica Dlhovo; and Eswatini Principal Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Ms Thabisile Mlangeni.