Harare, (New Ziana)-The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government convened on Wednesday at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, on the outskirts of Harare, to deliberate on issues relating to the peace and security of the region.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa opened the Summit, which is being attended by other regional leaders including Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), incoming SADC Chair Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), Duma Boko (Botswana), Fillipe Nyusi (Mozambique), Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, who came to represent Tanzanian President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation chairperson, and Vice President Paul Mashatile of South Africa. In his welcome remarks, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa who chairs the regional block, urged the leaders to face the regional security impediments head-on.
“Undoubtedly, peace is the cornerstone of all our collective endeavours towards sustainable development and our regional integration agenda.
It is, therefore, our collective and weighty responsibility to do all we can to address the common threats that jeopardise peace and security in our region. Let us remain steadfast as we face, head-on, the various impediments to the security and well-being of our peoples,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said it was high time the people of the DRC enjoyed peace and stability.
“The longstanding mantra “An injury to any one of our nations, is an injury to all SADC nations” rings true to this day,” he said, adding that SADC is indebted to the Troop Contributing Countries, Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa for deploying personnel and military equipment critical to restore peace and stability in the DRC where about 6.5 million people have lost their lives in three decades.
“As a region, we must boldly continue to work together to ensure that the people of the DRC are able to enjoy peace and tranquillity. Regrettably, the Report before us paints a grave picture of the security and humanitarian situation in the Eastern DRC. To date, over 6.5 million persons are internally displaced with civilians, women and children being most affected by the conflict.
“We have a duty to strengthen our resolve and chart a way forward that will see us win this fight for peace and the rights of the people of Eastern DRC to a good life and well-being, development, justice, as well as strong institutions,” he said.
President Mnangagwa emphasized Zimbabwe’s commitment to resolving the DRC conflict. He said as the Summit deliberates on the future of SAMIDRC, they should not be oblivious to other challenges impacting the region, particularly the climate change induced drought and public health emergencies.
New Ziana
