Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Editor
PEACE and security remain the foundation of regional integration and economic development, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation has reaffirmed.
The resolution emerged from the 28th Session of the SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, which concluded in Salima, Malawi.
The meeting adopted a broad range of measures aimed at strengthening regional stability, including combating corruption and organised crime, while preserving Southern Africa’s liberation heritage.
Speaking after the meeting, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Dr Amon Murwira, said the deliberations focused on safeguarding one of SADC’s core pillars.
“Without peace and security, SADC integration will not be possible because trade requires a stable, predictable environment where member states work together. These are preparatory meetings ahead of the SADC Summit in August,” he said.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Professor Murwira held bilateral talks with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Honourable Ronald Lamola, and Madagascar’s Foreign Minister to strengthen cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
He said the engagements also reflected growing international recognition of Zimbabwe following its election to the United Nations Security Council.
“Our counterparts congratulated us on Zimbabwe’s overwhelming election to the United Nations Security Council. This demonstrates that Zimbabwe is part and parcel of the international community, in line with His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement policy announced in November 2017. We have now achieved that objective,” he said.
The committee’s resolutions will be presented to SADC Heads of State and Government at the regional summit scheduled for Durban, South Africa, where leaders are expected to consider measures to strengthen peace, regional integration and sustainable development across Southern Africa.
