Story by ZBC Reporter
SOUTHERN African Development Community Chairperson (SADC), President Emmerson Mnangagwa has implored Member States to remain vigilant and alert to emerging challenges that threaten the general stability of the region.
In a statement to mark the Southern Africa Liberation Day this Sunday, the SADC Chair said the day was set aside to honour the brave, courageous heroes and heroines of the region who sacrificed their lives to bring about independence, freedom, democracy and sovereignty.
President Mnangagwa urged the regional bloc to stand in solidarity against the imposition of illegal sanctions, use of coercive measures or any other actions that undermine Member States sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“As we commemorate this annual event, we deeply reflect on where we stand in the context of our historical struggles
whose aim was to give us full ownership of the means of production in our economies and, consequently, to be masters of our own destiny as well as to restore our dignity,” the President said.
“I urge us all, as independent peoples of SADC, to remain vigilant and be alert to the emerging challenges that threaten our hard-won independence and the general stability of our region.
“We must, continue to stand in
solidarity against the imposition of illegal sanctions, use of coercive measures and or any other actions that undermine our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The SADC Chair said on this historic day, the region stands in solidarity with people of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic who are still being denied the right to determine their own destiny, adding that Africa will not be free until the Western Sahara is liberated.
President Mnangagwa reiterated calls for a lasting peace in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), saying it is now time to silence the guns as well as engage in dialogue to secure mediated outcomes for long-lasting peace in the DRC.
“I reiterate our call for lasting peace in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.
“The situation in Eastern DRC, undermines the aspirations bequeathed to us by our Founding Fathers and outlined in the SADC Constitutive Act and Vision 2050.
“The time to ‘silence the guns’, de-escalate tensions and
hostilities as well as to engage in dialogue to secure mediated outcomes for long-lasting peace in DRC is now.”
In the face of climate change-induced disasters, President Mnangagwa noted the need for the region to enhance early warning systems, build resilience and adaptation capacities, leveraging on the deployment of science, technology and innovation.
“Over the years, our region, has been greatly affected by recurring climate change induced disasters, leading to far reaching consequences for our people, economies, and environment.
“The extreme weather patterns have resulted in frequent and severe droughts, threatening food security
and livelihoods across our region, It is our collective responsibility to take decisive action to mitigate and manage the effects of these natural disasters.
“To this end, the need to enhance our early warning capabilities, build
resilience and adaptation capacities, leveraging on the deployment of science, technology, and innovation cannot be over-emphasised.”
President Mnangagwa said a modern, industrialised, and integrated SADC we all want will be realised through hard-honest work, focus, commitment, unity of purpose, and collective determination.
