Staff Reporter
The attainment of peace and security in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region remains central to the bloc’s integration agenda, enabling citizens to unlock their full potential, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, emphasized yesterday.
He was addressing the SADC Council of Ministers on the second day of their meeting at Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
The gathering of ministers is laying the groundwork for the SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled to convene tomorrow.
The summit's primary focus is the security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where ongoing conflict has displaced over 6.4 million people, disproportionately affecting women, children, and vulnerable groups.
“Our meeting underscores our unwavering commitment to a stable and secure SADC. Peace and security are vital for the success of our regional development agenda. They create an environment conducive to cooperation, integration, and prosperity for our people,” Prof Murwira said.
Prof Murwira told the media that the council’s deliberations centered on the security situation in the eastern DRC, informed by a Field Assessment Mission Report.
“We are deeply concerned about the security and humanitarian crisis in the DRC. Our collective efforts must bring lasting peace and stability to our brothers and sisters,” he added, while commending member states with deployed troops for their dedication in combating violence and terrorism.
Prof Murwira stressed that achieving peace, security, and stability was a shared responsibility for all member states and expressed confidence that the meeting would yield positive outcomes for the region.
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa is set to chair the SADC Extraordinary Summit tomorrow, which will address regional peace and security issues, as well as the bloc’s industrialization strategy.
Yesterday, SADC Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi, briefed the President at State House in Harare on the summit’s preparations.
Magosi told the media that he and President Mnangagwa discussed preparations for the summit, including the President’s expected visit to the SADC headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana.
Magosi commended Zimbabwe’s progress in industrialization, noting that the nation’s efforts in developing products and reducing raw exports are exemplary for the region.
“Zimbabwe is leading by example in the industrialization process. We hope other member states can learn and benefit from these strides,” he said.
The summit will also review regional elections, including recent polls in Mozambique and Botswana, and prepare for Namibia’s upcoming elections in early November.
