Southern African officials gathered in Zambia on Thursday to discuss regional conflict resolution, with a focus on Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), at the 26th two-day meeting of the (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security Cooperation.
The meeting also reviewed recent elections in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and Madagascar, expressing optimism for upcoming elections in Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, and Namibia. Zambia's Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe praised the progress in political and security situations in the eastern DRC, Lesotho, and Mozambique.
Haimbe commended the SADC Mission in DR Congo (SAMIDRC) for its commitment to addressing insecurity in the eastern part of the country and noted that the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) has made "great strides in restoring peace and security in the Cabo Delgado province."
The Executive Secretary of SADC, Elias Magosi, "highlighted that peace and stability are at the heart of the SADC integration and development agenda."
"The ultimate solution to the Eastern DRC conflict can only be found in our ability to consolidate the multiple political and diplomatic endeavors to address core issues and conclude an agreed set of resolutions relative to the conflict," he said.
Haimbe reaffirmed the region's commitment to fighting terrorism and protecting all Member States from the scourge, even with the SAMIM's removal. The After Action Review will take place "to draw lessons and make recommendations to inform enhancement of the operational effectiveness of SADC-mandated missions."
Last Friday, the closing ceremony was held in Pemba, Cabo Delgado's capital, as SADC concluded counterterrorism efforts in northern Mozambique.
During the meeting, the Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation expressed condolences to the Republic of Malawi on the passing of vice president Saulos Chilima and eight others, including First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, who died in a plane crash in June. MCO also expressed condolences to the "governments and families of soldiers who lost their lives in the course of duty while on deployment to the SADC Mission."
The MCO thanked Angola for supporting SAMIDRC and facilitating the Luanda process and appreciated the UN Secretary General's efforts to investigate SAMIDRC support alternatives.
Moreover, the MCO advised member states that have not enacted legislation against trafficking in persons to do so, following the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime model law against trafficking in persons, and those that have identified gaps in their legislation concerning child abduction protection to address them.
The MCO further applauded Zimbabwe for building a Pan-African multi-country institution to highlight African Liberation history and asked member states to donate materials and artifacts to the Museum of African Liberation.