SADC Summit Agree on Deploying Troops to Mozambique

Southern African leaders in Maputo on Wednesday approved the deployment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Standby Force to Mozambique “to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism.”

The Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held at Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique, on June 23, 2021.

It is a move that demonstrated regional progress in addressing the crisis. It also called for the lifting of Western sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

The Summit was officially opened by H.E. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique and current Chairperson of SADC.

Among the attendees are:

▪️ Angola: Hon. Eugenio Cesar Laborinho, Minister of Interior Affairs. representing H.E. President Joao Manuel GoneIves Lourengo

▪️ Botswana: H.E. President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi

▪️ Comoros: Hon. Dhoihir Ohoulkamal. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Union of Comoros

▪️ DRC: H.E. President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo

▪️ Eswatini: Senator Themba Masuku. Acting Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini

▪️ Lesotho: The Right Hon Prime Minister Dr. Moeketsi Majoro

▪️ Malawi: H.E. President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera

▪️ Mauritius: H. E. Mr J. P. Jhumun Head of Mission at the High Commission of Mauritius in Maputo, Mozambique

▪️ Madagascar: Hon. Dr Djacoba Tehindrzanarivelo, Minister of Foreign Affairs

▪️ Namibia: Hon. Dr. Albert Kawana Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, safety and Security

▪️ Zambia: H. E. Mr Mwansa Kapeya. Zambia’s High Commissioner to Botswana

▪️ Zimbabwe: H.E. President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa

Also in attendance was H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, SADC Executive Secretary.

Among other things, the summit:

▪️ expressed deepest condolences to Former President Dr Kaunda’s family. His Excellency Dr. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. the Government and the People of the Republic of Zambia following the passing on of H.E. Dr Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda, first President of the Republic of Zambia and the last surviving founding father of SADC and the Organization of African Unity (OAU). the forerunner of the African Union (AU); and paid tribute to late former President Dr. Kaunda for the pivotal role he played in the liberation struggle, and for laying a solid foundation for regional integration of Southern Africa.

▪️ expressed heartfelt condolences to Dr. Magufuli’s family, Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Government and the People of the United Republic of Tanzania on the passing of His Excellency Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, the 5th President of the United Republic of Tanzania, a Visionary leader who championed the development of Africa, the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe and the introduction and recognition of Kiswahili, a language which was used during the liberation struggle; and stood for the political and economic independence of the Continent, and the use Africa’s natural resources for the benefit of its peoples.

▪️ expressed deep condolences to the Government of His Majesty, people of Eswatini, and the Dlamini family on the passing of the Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini, His Excellency Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, an experienced leader and businessman who served the Kingdom of Eswatini, and the SADC Region with utmost diligence.

▪️ endorsed the recommendations of the Report of the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation and approved the Mandate for the SADC Standby Force Mission to the Republic of Mozambique, to be deployed in support of Mozambique to combat of terrorism and acts of violent extremism in Cabo Delgado.

▪️ urged the Member States in collaboration with Humanitarian Agencies to continue providing humanitarian support to the population affected by the terrorist attacks, in Cabo Delgado, including the internally displaced persons.

▪️ commended the Republic of Mozambique for offering to host SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) in Nacala, Mozambique, a centre that is expected to enhance regional preparedness, and timely response.

▪️ launched the SADC at 401, Publication, and urged SADC citizen to use the Publication to appreciate the history of SADC.

▪️ committed to enhancing SADC regional and national capacities in research and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and other essential drugs and medicines. promotion of traditional and alternative medicines, and the development of vaccines.

▪️ urged the SADC Member States and the International Community to support the proposal fora temporary waiver of certain provisions of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to allow more countries to produce COVID-19 vaccine, for a more efficient response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

▪️ called upon the World Trade Organization (WTO) to finalize negotiations on the waiver of certain provisions of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and expedite its operationalization.

▪️ called for the end of vaccine nationalism and for equal access to the vaccine by all countries.

▪️ urged all SADC citizens to continue observing and adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures.

▪️ called upon countries that are limiting SADC residents to travel to their countries based on origin and type of vaccine they received to reconsider their positions.

▪️ commended K E. President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa. President of South Africa. for championing the proposal to waive certain provisions of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), so as to enable more countries to produce COVID-19 vaccine and facilitate access to all.

The Summit also launched a publication titled: 40 Years of SADC: Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Integration, as part of commemoration of SADC’s 40th Anniversary. It was published to raise awareness about the regional community and its agenda for regional integration, pointing to its future plans as a building block of the African Union and the African Economic Community.