19 Aug 2018

SADC new chairperson and also president of Namibia, Dr Hage Geingob says peace and stability are important for the regional bloc to realise economic growth and development.

Dr Geingob who took the chairpersonship of the regional block from President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa said in the absence of peace and stability, economic growth and development remained nothing but a dream on the horizon.

The 38^th regional bloc summit was held in Windhoek Namibia under the theme: Promoting Infrastructure Development and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development.

That withstanding, he took solace in the fact that, so far the SADC region was currently one of the most stable and secure regions in Africa.

“The political and security situation in the region remains relatively calm and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe for having organised harmonised general elections on July 30,” he said.

He was confident that although a dispute had ensued with regard to the outcome of Zimbabwe elections with the matter before the courts, peace would ultimately prevail in the Southern African nation notwithstanding the verdict.

The new chairperson noted with satisfaction, progress made thus far in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Kingdom of Lesotho and Madagascar following interventions and mediation efforts by SADC and international partners.

He thanked in particular President Joseph Kabila for having carried out the groundwork for elections set for the Democratic Republic of Congo scheduled for December 2018.

On other issues, Dr Geingob said it was fitting for the people of SADC to reaffirm their unwavering support and solidarity with the people of Saharawi Arab Democratic Republicin their struggle to achieve inalienable right to self-determination. ENDS