By Maxwell Mapungwana
Harare, (New Ziana) – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding peace, consolidating democracy and advancing regional stability and integration following the a virtual Extraordinary Troika Summit of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation held on 22 June 2026.
The high-level meeting reviewed progress on peace-building efforts across the region and underscored the importance of collective action in addressing emerging political and security challenges.
The Summit was chaired by Right Honourable Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana, Second Vice President of Malawi, representing President Arthur Peter Mutharika in his capacity as Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
Participation included member states of the Organ Troika, with Malawi serving as current Chair, the Kingdom of Eswatini as incoming Chair, and Tanzania as outgoing Chair. Eswatini was represented by Prime Minister Russell M. Dlamini on behalf of King Mswati III, while Tanzania’s Vice President, Ambassador Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
In a statement, SADC said the key focus of the Summit was the implementation of decisions adopted by SADC Heads of State and Government during their meeting on 17 December 2025 which, among other things, endorsed deployment of missions to Madagascar, called for the strengthening the coordinating roles of the SADC Secretariat, the Mediation Reference Group (MRG), and the Panel of Elders (PoE).
“Building on the decisions of the SADC Heads of State and Government meeting of 17 December 2025, which endorsed the deployment of missions to Madagascar and reinforced the roles of the SADC Secretariat, the Mediation Reference Group (MRG), and the Panel of Elders (PoE), the Summit welcomed the progress achieved in advancing dialogue and reconciliation.
Since the December SADC Summit, the Panel of Elders has successfully undertaken three missions to the Republic of Madagascar from 26 January – 01 February 2026; from 23 February – 06 March 2026; and from 02 – 12 May 2026,” noted the statement.
It said the diplomatic missions also engaged former Mozambican President Dr Joaquim Alberto Chissano in his capacity as SADC Envoy to Madagascar, examining the continued relevance of the 2011 Roadmap for Ending the Crisis in Madagascar alongside ongoing national processes.
SADC said the engagements demonstrate the regional bloc’s determination to re-establish a strong presence in Madagascar, reinforce intervention mechanisms and support sustainable peace-building initiatives.
The Summit further deliberated on the final report prepared by the SADC Panel of Elders under Dr Banda’s leadership. The report will be submitted by the Chairperson of the Organ to the forthcoming SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government for consideration.
Turning to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), leaders expressed deep concern over the resurgence of the Ebola outbreak in the country’s eastern region and reiterated solidarity with the Congolese people.
The Summit also noted the worsening security environment in eastern DRC, warning that continued instability poses a threat not only to national peace but also to broader regional integration efforts.
Member states urged all parties to respect and implement commitments under the Doha and Washington Accords, particularly ceasefire provisions, while stressing that African-led peace initiatives, supported by international partners, remain essential for achieving lasting stability, resilience and sustainable peace.
To strengthen regional engagement and intervention efforts, the Summit agreed on recommendations that will be presented to the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government for consideration.
New Ziana
