SADC Summit Kicks Off in Harare Amidst Regional Challenges
- Lavender Kurwara
- 20 Nov, 2024
SADC Summit Kicks Off in Harare Amidst Regional Challenges
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit commenced today in Harare, Zimbabwe, bringing together representatives from up to 10 heads of state and government. President Emmerson Mnangagwa will chair the summit, which includes leaders from Namibia, Malawi, Comoros, Lesotho, Tanzania, Angola, Eswatini, Seychelles, and South Africa.
Key issues on the agenda include the escalating violence in Eastern Congo, with the ongoing crisis in Mozambique also drawing attention, despite not being officially included in discussions. Notable attendees include newly elected Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko, Madagascar's Andry Rajoelina, and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.
The summit aims to review security concerns in the region, particularly the situation in Eastern DRC, and will receive updates on the SADC Mission's operations there. Cabinet officials confirmed that all preparations for the summit are complete, with Minister Jenfan Muswere reporting smooth arrangements for the event, which runs from November 16 to 20.
However, the summit's theme of innovation, economic prosperity, and development has been criticized for shying away from democratic and human rights issues bedevilling the region . Zimbabwe itself has lost a critical moment to demonstrate its commitment to democratic values and regional leadership, with over 80 political activists in detention on spurious allegations.
Despite this, the summit is seen as a significant event, legitimizing President Mnangagwa's government despite international and regional observer missions condemning the 2023 election SADC has chosen not to address Zimbabwe's human rights crackdown and electoral fraud.
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