18 Aug 2022

Democratic Republic of Congo president, Mr Felix Tshisekedi is the new Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) chairperson.

President Tshisekedi, who hosted the 42^nd ordinary summit of SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, takes over the regional bloc’s rotational leadership from Malawi president Dr Lazarus Chakwera.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Tshisekedi expressed commitment to serving the region and assisting it to reach its goals.

“I fully acknowledge the task ahead and on behalf of the people of the DRC. I am ready to play my role and contribute in the SADC integration agenda,” he said.

President Tshisekedi said  the founding fathers and the organisation’s previous chairpersons had laid a solid foundation for the incoming generation to fully prosper.

He vowed to, among other things, continue with the SADC legacy, revealing that his roadmap would include promoting industrialisation through agro-processing, mineral beneficiation and regional value chain, for inclusive and resilience economic growth.

For his part, the outgoing chairperson, Dr Chakwera commended member states for the support they rendered during his reign.

“I finish my term, on behalf of the people of Malawi, a gratified man for the strides made this far. We are all confident of continued implementation of SADC policies and programmes under the incoming Chairmanship of President Felix Tshisekedi and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.

He said his tenure as chairperson brought to light, the strides made in strengthening SADC, in a bid to achieve regional integration.

Dr Chakwera said the integration, came at a time when SADC was growing into a global destination for investment, trade and tourism.

He said there was need for member states to collectively celebrate solidarity and consolidate their quest for shared prosperity.

Each of the 340 million people in the SADC region must cherish the unbreakable bond that connects us into a monolithic, social and economic structure, transcending ethnicity, geographic borders and political systems, Dr Chakwera said. 

He said the region had, since the inception of SADC, continued to be kept together by a bond steeped in shared values, urging member states to remain resolute in promoting macroeconomic stability, invest in human capital development, support peace and security across the region, while creating opportunities for its people to prosper. Ends