SADC Troika Organ concludes its two-days Summit

SADC Troika Organ concludes its two-days Summit

Prepared by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago 

The SADC Troika Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation last Friday concluded its two-days Summit chaired by H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.  The chief agenda of the Summit was to review and consider the political and security situation in the region, in particular the latest developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Madagascar and the Republic of Zimbabwe.

The two-days Summit began with Ministerial-Level meeting led by Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation on the 9th of January, 2013 in Hyatt Regency- Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam and later followed by the meeting of the Heads of State and Government on the 10th of January, under the Chairmanship of President Kikwete. 

While discussing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Summit received a progress report on the deployment of the Neutral International Force (NIF) in the eastern DRC.  It also welcomed the pledges made by the Republic of Malawi, Republic of Namibia, Republic of South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania to contribute to the deployment of NIF and urged those who have not yet done so, to do so as a matter of urgency.

The Heads of States and Government also noted with appreciation the good collaboration between SADC and the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) on the developments in the Eastern DRC.

Further, the Summit called for an urgent attention to the grave humanitarian situation in the Eastern DRC and expressed its readiness to work with the UN and welcomed its support for the deployment of the NIF through the UN Framework Concept for an intervention Brigade in the eastern DRC.

After receiving brief from President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar regarding the current transition and political developments in that country, the Summit re-emphasized the need to implement a roadmap as a viable mechanism for ending political crisis in Madagascar.  Further, the Summit commended President Kikwete and former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique as SADC Mediator for their diligent efforts towards finding solutions and restoring constitutional normalcy in the country.  President Kikwete currently sits as a Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

In respect to Zimbabwe, the Summit commended President Zuma of South Africa as the SADC Facilitator on Zimbabwe Political Dialogue for for his efforts in engaging political stakeholders in the country and for overseeing that peaceful, credible, free and fair upcoming elections take place in Zimbabwe.

In concluding, the Heads of State and Government thanked President Kikwete and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania for their warm hospitality provided during the meeting.

The Organ Troika is consisted of the Heads of State and Government of Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) that are President Kikwete as Chair (Tanzania), President Hifikepunye Pohamba (Namibia), President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (South Africa), and President Armando Emilio Guebuza as current chair of the SADC (Mozambique). The Summit was also attended by the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão.

End.