By Lwazi Dlamini
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini was in high spirits as he joined Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders for the opening ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
The Premier is representing 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).
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.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi thanked the leaders for convening for the Summit which he said has been convened to take stock and appreciate the progress made in the eastern DRC,
where over 6.9 million people have been displaced internally, countless civilians have been killed, and women, girls and the disabled face an endless dire humanitarian crisis because of armed conflict.
“The Summit will also receive an update on the post-election political and security situation in the Republic of Mozambique following the violence that erupted immediately after the elections.
We do not expect that election processes could deteriorate to the extent of serious conflict, disruption of economic activity, threat to human lives, and even loss of lives, as well as damage to property and infrastructure.
There are appropriate structures under the electoral laws and constitution of Member States that deal with complaints and any misgivings about elections.
We plead with all those that are aggrieved with the election process to follow these lawful procedures and ensure the safety of citizens and the stability of the country.”
Magosi added: “As I have said before, the attainment of lasting peace in the eastern DRC needs complementary response strategies, including multiple political and diplomatic interventions such as the Luanda process,
led by His Excellency President João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, and the African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa, to address the core issues and conclude an agreed set of resolutions relative to the conflict.
I believe that we should focus more effort and the limited resources at our disposal, on dialogue between the parties, especially given the financial constraints we have.
And, with a great sense of humility, I advocate for Your Excellencies to consider having very robust but intimate and in-camera conversations with those Member States experiencing conflict as well as other stakeholders outside our region who are negatively affecting our peace and stability.”
