16 Aug 2021

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has called for stronger solidarity among SADC member states which will enable the region to solve its own problems without external interference.

“Working together, we can timeously and comprehensively  address any potential and emerging threats before they could become fully blown problems,” he told a SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security troika meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi yesterday.

   In attendance were other organ troika members South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.

   Citing the deployment of SADC Mission in Mozambique, Dr Masisi said it was pleasing that the organisation moved with speed to support the country’s efforts in combating terrorism and acts of violent extremism in its Cabo Delgado region.

  Turning to the organ, the President said its 2020/21 focus had been on strengthening regional solidarity and collective effforts towards achieving sustainable peace, defence and security as well as democracy and good governance.

  He said only through unity could SADC build on a strong foundation for peace, security and democratic governance in order realise development goals enshrined in Vision 2050.

   On the June eSwatini civil unrest, Dr Masisi said he had shared the technical fact-finding mission report with King Mswati III.

  “The engagement with eSwatini will continue in order to find a long lasting solution to the recurring problem in the country,” he said.

    President Masisi said  the SADC region had done extremely well to maintain political stability which required consolidation of democracy.

 He said SADC had developed mechanisms to further enhance its democratic values and principles, particularly adherence to constitutional imperatives on elections which included the 2020 SADC Guidelines for Election Observation under Public Health   Emergencies.

  The President said it was heartening that the COVID-19 pandemic had not prevented member states from conducting regular elections citing Tanzania and Seychelles.

  Meanwhile the President will today join other SADC heads of state and government for the bloc’s 41st ordinary summit scheduled for August 17-18.

One of the summit’s highlights will be the election of a new executive secretary. 

Speaking during a pre-departure interview yesterday, President Masisi said Botswana had done due diligence in the campaign for the position.  

Botswana has fielded Permanent Secretary to the President and currently  ambassador at large Mr Elias Magosi against  Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Mr Faustin Mukela.

President Masisi expressed confidence that Mr Magosi would be elected to replace Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax whose term had ended.

Dr Masisi will also hand over the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security chairmanship to Mr Ramaphosa.

The President said during his one-year tenure, he effectively engaged other leaders to arrive at amicable solutions particularly on political and security issues.

“I have visited SADC countries, consulting other presidents and getting their diverse views. Some of such issues involved attacks by terrorist groups and other political unrest in the region. I have learnt a lot from my tenure, and I was able to strengthen working relationships with other SADC nations,” he said.   

Held  under the theme: Bolstering Productive Capacities in the Face of COVID-19 Pandemic for Inclusive, Sustainable Economic and Industrial Transformation, the summit will also assess progress made towards advancing the regional integration agenda.

 

Dr Masisi is accompanied by Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Dr Lemogang Kwape, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Mr Kagiso Mmusi and senior government officials.ENDS