By Ncaba Ntshakala
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, on Tuesday, departed the country for Harare, Zimbabwe, to represent His Majesty King Mswati III and the nation at the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government.
This high-level gathering is set to review the security situation in the region, with a particular focus on the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
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The Southern African Development Community (SADC) stated that the summit, chaired by Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, will provide an update on the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
This mission, deployed in December 2023 with a one-year mandate, aims to restore peace and stability in the conflict-affected areas of the DRC, creating an environment conducive to sustainable development.
The summit will also feature the Extraordinary SADC Organ Troika Summit, chaired by Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, representing Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan in her capacity as Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation.
“The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will convene an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government on 20th November 2024, in Harare, Republic of Zimbabwe, to review the security situation in the region, with a focus on the situation in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” reads part of the statement.
“The Summit will be chaired by His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and Chairperson of SADC.
The Summit will receive an update on the progress of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC).
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The SADC region deployed the SAMIDRC on 15th December 2023 on a one-year mandate as a regional response to address the security situation in the DRC and restore peace, security, and stability to pave the way for sustainable development.”
Following his engagement in Harare, the Prime Minister will proceed to Kumasi, Ghana, for the silver jubilee of King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II of the Ashanti Empire.
This celebration also was said to mark the centenary of King Prempeh I’s return from exile in Seychelles.
