President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has expressed gratitude to the SADC Panel of Elders and Mediation Reference Group for their commitment to serving the region. 

The panel is part of the SADC Mediation and Conflict Prevention and Preventative Diplomacy structure.  

Dr Masisi, who is the outgoing chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, said when officiating at the closing of the induction meeting and hand-over ceremony of letters of appointment of the panel here today, that resolving conflict was a time-consuming and frustrating process. 

As such, the region valued the commitment by the panel to assist in conflict prevention, its management and resolution, he said. He further urged SADC key policy and decision-making structures to fully make use of the panel as the region needed their invaluable expertise.

Dr Masisi said part of the groups’ agenda would be to find a lasting solution to acts of extremism and terrorism in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique, that had disrupted socio-economic order, resulted in injuries and death of citizens of the region; as well as civil disturbances in the Kingdom of eSwatini. 

Dr Masisi said SADC was expected to play a critical role of brokering a consensual national dialogue towards addressing the challenges facing eSwatini.  

President Masisi commended the selfless commitment of countries that contributed troops to the SADC Mission in Mozambique as well as to the entire SADC community for committing resources to enhance the peace-keeping mission.

The panel of elders and mediation reference group comprises former President of Tanzania Dr Jakaya Kikwete, former Vice President of Mauritius Mr Paramasivum Pillay Vyapoory, former Zimbabwean Minister of Finance and Investment Promotion Mr Patrick Chinamasa, and Botswana’s former Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning Mr Charles Tibone.  

The induction meeting was held to among others, enable a clear understanding of the mandate and functions of the SADC Mediation, Conflict Prevention and Preventative Diplomacy Structure and Framework by panel members as well as consider the SADC Draft Five Year Strategic Plan. Ends