Eswatini’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Senator Pholile Shakantu has officially stepped in as the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
Her appointment comes as the Kingdom of Eswatini prepares to assume the Chairmanship of the SADC Organ Troika under His Majesty King Mswati III, placing the country at the centre of regional efforts to promote peace, political stability and security across Southern Africa.
Shakantu is representing Eswatini at the 28th Meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ in Salima, Malawi, where ministers responsible for foreign affairs, defence, state security and public security are meeting to deliberate on regional peace and security matters. 
The Ministerial Committee of the Organ is a statutory body of SADC tasked with coordinating the bloc’s responses to political, defence and security challenges affecting member states.
The committee plays a critical role in conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping initiatives and strengthening democratic governance across the region.
Addressing delegates, Shakantu reaffirmed Eswatini’s readiness to provide leadership that prioritises cooperation, dialogue and unity among SADC member states.
“As the Kingdom of Eswatini prepares to assume the Chairmanship of the Organ Troika by His Majesty King Mswati III, Eswatini reaffirms its commitment to principled, inclusive, and collaborative leadership,” she said.
The minister said the Kingdom was looking forward to strengthening cooperation with fellow member states and regional institutions to ensure the Organ continues delivering on its mandate.
“We look forward to working closely with our Troika partners, all member states, the SADC Secretariat, and all relevant stakeholders in advancing the Organ’s mandate and strengthening peace, security, and political stability across our region,” she said.
Shakantu further pledged that Eswatini would champion consultation and consensus-building throughout its tenure.
“The Kingdom of Eswatini pledges robust engagement with all stakeholders and an unwavering commitment to consensus-building, consultation, and African solutions to African challenges,” she added.
The meeting was officially opened by Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Dr George Chaponda, who currently serves as Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ.
The gathering follows a meeting of Senior Officials held from July 13 to 14, where technical experts prepared reports and recommendations for consideration by ministers before key decisions are adopted.
The delegation includes Eswatini’s High Commissioner to Mozambique, Mlondi Dlamini;
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Dorcas Dlamini; Deputy National Commissioner of the Royal Eswatini Police Service Mumcy Dlamini;
Deputy National Commissioner for State Security Vusi Edgarson Mkhabela;
Under Secretary for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vulindlela Kunene;
Brigadier General and Chief of Defence Intelligence Petros Bhembe; Royal Eswatini Police Commissioner Nomkhosi Fakudze; Director of the SADC Unit in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development Thobile Mavuso;
International Cooperation Coordinator Zandi Dlamini; Defence Attaché at the High Commission of the Kingdom of Eswatini in Pretoria Nombuso Dlamini; and Assistant Socio-Political Analyst Bagcinele Maphanga.
