The SADC region remains stable and peaceful despite a few
security challenges and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that has claimed
thousands of lives, the Sadc chairman of the Organ on Politics, Defence and
Security Cooperation, President Mnangagwa, has said.
But there was need to explore innovative ways of ensuring
that member states were able to conduct credible elections during the Covid-19
pandemic, one of whose preventive measures was to avoid crowds and gatherings.
Officially opening the virtual Troika summit, President
Mnangagwa commended member states for consistently demonstrating commitment to
strengthening democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
“I note with satisfaction that, notwithstanding a few
political and security challenges and the ongoing pandemic, our region remains
stable,” said President Mnangagwa.
Other members of the SADC Organ Troika are Botswana
President Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi, the incoming chairperson, and Zambian
President Edgar Lungu.
Zimbabwe will remain a member as Botswana takes over as the
immediate-past chair.
SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax
attended the meeting.
In his address, President Mnangagwa said while elections
held in the region satisfied SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing
Democratic Elections, there was need to explore innovative ways to hold
credible elections during pandemics such as Covid-19.
“It is equally important to ensure the safe and efficient
deployment of SADC Election Observation Missions during such difficult
conditions. Our organisation must also pursue sustainable and predictable means
of funding election observer missions,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said as part of SADC’s liberation war heritage and
historical legacy, the regional bloc was set to consider mechanisms of
honouring its founding fathers as recommended by the Ministerial Committee of
the Organ.
“In recognition of the contribution made by the founding
fathers to the liberation of our region, it is my fervent hope that this
mechanism will go a long way in inculcating a sense of patriotism, self-love
and belonging among the peoples of our region, in particular the youths,” said
President Mnangagwa.
After the opening address, the Troika Summit went into a
closed-door discussion where it received reports from the Council of Ministers.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attended
yesterday’s meeting as SADC facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho which was
represented by its Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro.
In their closing remarks, Dr Masisi and Dr Lungu commended
President Mnangagwa for steering the Organ well during his tenure.
Dr Masisi said as incoming chairperson, he had a lot to
learn from President Mnangagwa’s leadership that he demonstrated during his one
year tenure.
In his last remarks, President Mnangagwa said the
consolidation of democracy in the SADC region through holding of regular
elections was commendable.
“I wish to urge the SADC secretariat to work closely with
the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Seychelles and other
countries that will be holding elections during the Covid-19 pandemic towards
safe and peaceful electoral processes,” he said.
Earlier on, Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo chaired a virtual meeting of the Ministerial
Committee of the Organ where reports and recommendations were tabled for the
consideration of the 40th SADC summit of Heads of State and Government to be
held on Monday.
Dr Moyo was joined by his Zambian and Botswana
counterparts, Mr Joseph Malanji and Mr Unity Dow. Herald
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