The major event of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) at the start of 2024 is undoubtedly the holding of an extraordinary meeting bringing together the main players in the region. Under the chairmanship of Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia and in his capacity as Chairman of the SADC body responsible for cooperation in politics, defense and security, this meeting promises to address crucial issues for the security and stability of the region.
The discussions will focus in particular on the security situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the north of Mozambique, regions where peace and stability remain fragile. The progress of the SADC missions, the SAMIDRC deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the SAMIM in Mozambique, will also be reviewed. These missions aim to support local governments in restoring peace, security and stability, essential prerequisites for sustainable development.
The composition of the SADC Troikas, encompassing key countries such as Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo, demonstrates the commitment of the regional community in the search for solutions to current security challenges. Contributions from countries such as Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe to existing mission personnel highlight the regional cooperation needed to address common challenges.
This exceptional Summit is part of a dynamic of preparation, with preparatory meetings having preceded the event, showing the importance given to coordination and regional consultation. The security and stability of the SADC region remain top priorities, and the regional community is mobilizing to address them in a concerted and effective manner.
In parallel with the Summit, articles previously published on the blog could also feed readers’ reflection on current issues in SADC and the actions undertaken to meet security and development challenges. An article on SAMIDRC and SAMIM, for example, would shed additional light on SADC’s engagement in the region.
It is essential that the information provided at this Summit is relayed effectively and accurately, so that the public can understand the issues and the actions undertaken by SADC to ensure the security and stability of the region.