Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe made history over the weekend by hosting the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State, marking the highest level of Presidential attendance at the regional gathering in the past decade.
The summit, held in Harare, drew a remarkable number of leaders from across Southern Africa, underscoring Zimbabwe’s growing influence and leadership within the region.
Of the 16 SADC member states, only three Heads of State were unable to attend the summit in person and these were Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Comoros’ President Azali Assoumani, and Mauritius’ President Prithvirajsing Roopun.
However, President Hichilema chaired the Troika Summit of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs virtually on Friday.
The exceptional turnout was particularly noteworthy, given the attendance records of previous summits.
In 2015, six Heads of State were absent from the summit in Botswana, while five did not attend the gathering in the Kingdom of Eswatini the following year.
The South Africa summit in 2017 saw the absence of seven leaders, the highest in the last decade. The trend continued with six absentees in Namibia in 2018, four in Tanzania in 2019, and four in Mozambique in 2020.
The summits in Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo saw six and five Presidents absent in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Last year’s summit in Angola had four leaders missing, making Zimbabwe’s summit the most attended in ten years.
The record attendance was hailed as a testament to Zimbabwe’s diplomatic efforts and its strategic role in regional affairs.
Political commentators praised Zimbabwe’s hosting of the summit, highlighting the nation’s growing stature in the region.
Dr Tendai Mazorodze, commented, “This level of attendance demonstrates Zimbabwe’s ability to rally regional leaders together. It’s a clear indication that Zimbabwe is becoming a central player in SADC’s economic and political agenda.”
Another commentator, Professor Nyarai Mavhunga, emphasized the importance of the summit’s theme, stating, “By focusing on innovation and economic growth, Zimbabwe is setting the tone for the future of the region. The high turnout reflects the importance that SADC leaders place on these issues, and Zimbabwe is at the forefront of this movement.”
Tafadzwa Moyo, a regional affairs expert, also weighed in, saying, “Zimbabwe has shown that it can successfully host a major international event with the highest standards. This summit will be remembered as a turning point for Zimbabwe’s international image and its role in SADC.”
The success of the 44th SADC Summit not only highlights Zimbabwe’s leadership within the region but also reinforces its commitment to fostering economic growth and development in Southern Africa.
