His Excellency the President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi has gone out as the Chairperson for SADC Committee on Politics, Defence and Security. Masisi was giving way to His Excellency the President of South Africa- Mr. Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa.
The rotational chairship was previously held by His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe- Dr. Emmerson Dambuzo Mnangagwa. Botswana will now assume the position of the Outgoing chair, while the incoming chair will be held by His Excellency the President of Namibia- Mr. Hage Geingob.
On his closing remarks yesterday, President Masisi noted the progress which the Committee made, challenges, as well as what still needs to be done. As the Chairperson of the Organ, the highlight was the ongoing terrorism acts at Mozambique of which SADC has currently deployed an forces to combat.
“On the political front, it is encouraging to note that our region continues to make significant progress towards the consolidation of democratic ideals. This is particularly evidenced by the commitment by the Member States to continue to honour their constitutional obligations, especially on conducting regular elections. Even the COVID-19 pandemic has not deterred the Member States in this regard. We also received the Report on the Comprehensive Reform Process in the Kingdom of Lesotho, from the Facilitator, His Excellency President Ramaphosa of South Africa. The Report shows commendable progress in the implementation of SADC Decisions on Lesotho. We encourage the Government of Lesotho to continue prioritising the reforms agenda. Your Excellencies, our quest to maintain peace and political stability in the region is in no doubt important, not only for our Regional Integration Agenda but also for the realisation of the Continental aspirations, as espoused in the African Union Agenda 2063. This is so because, as a Continent, our countries’ security, as well as the socio-economic and political systems remain inter-woven and mutually dependent.” President Masisi asserted.
The summit also ends with the appointment of Mr. Elias Mpedi Magosi as the SADC Executive Secretary. Magosi takes the baton from Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax after defeating Dr. Faustin Luanga Mukela of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
