By Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa
Harare – Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders gathered in Harare for an Extraordinary Summit focused on the security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Zimbabwean President and SADC Chairperson, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his welcoming statement, urged regional unity and decisive action.
“Your Excellencies and Dear Colleagues,” the SADC Chair, President Mnangagwa began, “It is my distinct honour and privilege to welcome you to Zimbabwe. In August 2024, we gathered here in Ordinary Session, to take stock of the progress of our august regional organisation, over the past year. Ambitious, yet achievable targets and strategies were adopted to harness the immense opportunities in our region as well as address our common challenges. Today, we convene specifically to deliberate on pertinent issues relating to the peace and security of our region.”
Acknowledging the demanding schedules of the attendees, Zimbabwe President and SADC Chairman HE Dr. Mnangagwa expressed gratitude for their prompt response to the summit invitation. He specifically welcomed Botswana’s President, Duma Boko, congratulating him on his recent assumption of office.
President Mnangagwa acknowledged the presence of DRC President Tshisekedi, saying, “this demonstrates that the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, have trust in our ability to work collectively, as the SADC family, to help manage threats, not only in the great country but, our region as a whole.”
Referencing the SADC mantra, “An injury to any one of our nations, is an injury to all SADC nations,” President Mnangagwa extended gratitude to Angolan President João Lourenço for his tireless mediation efforts in the eastern DRC, while expressing concern over the persistent violation of the Ceasefire Agreement. He also acknowledged the contributions of Troop Contributing Countries; Malawi, Tanzania, and South Africa; for their deployment of troops and equipment.
President Mnangagwa highlighted the displacement of over 6.5 million people, primarily women and children, in the eastern DRC. “As a region, we must boldly continue to work together to ensure that the people of the DRC are able to enjoy peace and tranquility,” he stated. He called for strengthened resolve and a clear path forward to secure peace, rights, and well-being for the people of the eastern DRC. The President reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to cooperating with member states for the realization of a peaceful, integrated, industrialized, and prosperous SADC.
Looking beyond the immediate crisis, President Mnangagwa acknowledged other regional challenges, including climate change-induced drought and public health emergencies. He urged unity and resolve in addressing these common challenges, emphasizing that the people of the DRC deserve peace, security, development, and prosperity.
President Mnangagwa concluded by welcoming the attendees to Zimbabwe and wishing them fruitful deliberations.
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