The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers convened in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Tuesday, with regional leaders reaffirming their dedication to peace and security as crucial elements for fostering integration and development.
In his inaugural speech as the new chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers, Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Frederick Shava underscored the necessity of continuing the regional development plan based on peace, security, and good governance. Shava, who succeeded Angola’s Tete Antonio in the role, highlighted the importance of stability for achieving the SADC’s transformative goals. “Peace and stability are fundamental ingredients for a regional transformative agenda. Without them, our aspirations and vision will be gravely compromised,” he stated.
The two-day meeting serves as a precursor to the 44th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, scheduled for Saturday in Harare. Shava expressed concern over the impact of terrorism-related conflicts in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, asserting that these issues hinder the regional development agenda.
The SADC faces a range of challenges, including climate change, epidemics, extreme poverty, conflicts, gender inequality, terrorism, illicit resource flows, and low intra-regional trade, which continue to impede progress.
Elias Magosi, Executive Secretary of the SADC, reiterated the bloc’s commitment to socioeconomic integration and the maintenance of peace and security. “SADC recognises that peace and good governance provide pathways for integration and socioeconomic development of the region. To this end, SADC continues to make timely interventions to consolidate peace and stability in the region,” Magosi noted.
The meeting’s outcomes and discussions will set the stage for the forthcoming summit, where further strategies and commitments for regional advancement are expected to be addressed.
