Harare, (New Ziana) – Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi arrived in Zimbabwe on Wednesday on a campaign for compatriot
Elias Magosi to become the next executive secretary of the regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc.

SADC holds its next summit in August where a change of guard at its secretariat is expected, with current executive secretary Stergomena Lawrence Tax stepping down after serving two terms.

The executive secretary is, among other things, responsible for strategic planning, coordination and management of SADC programmes.

Botswana’s Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation said the visit will allow President Masisi to engage President Emmerson Mnangagwa on other pressing bilateral, regional and continental issues.

“His Excellency the President will use the opportunity to present Botswana’s candidate for the position of SADC Executive Secretary, Mr Elias Epedi Magosi,” the ministry said.

President Masisi has already visited South Africa and Zambia to present Magosi.

If appointed, Magosi will become the first Batswana to head the regional body in its 41-year history.

SADC is headquartered in Botswana.

The ministry said President Masisi, who is the current chairperson of SADC’s Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, will use the visit to “explore common solutions to the pressing socio-economic challenges occasioned by Covid-19.”
New Ziana