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Lloyd Gumbo in VICTORIA FALLS
Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi has taken over as Sadc chairperson of the Council of Ministers from his Malawian predecessor Dr George Thaputula Chaponda.The Council of Ministers meeting is now underway with several Zimbabwean ministers and permanent secretaries also present.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Emerson Mnangagwa, Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha were also present during the handover of the chairmanship to Minister Mumbengegwi.
In his speech, Minister Mumbengegwi said the Sadc region is defined by its common history, challenges, culture, ideal and future.
He said the common question among people in Sadc is what the regional bloc is doing to uplift the quality of their lives and redeem them of poverty, underdevelopment and other social ills.
“Clearly we have a responsibility and indeed an obligation to answer their question,” he said.
“Their answer cannot be an event, it has to be a process, a process that is inclusive of all our member states, process that is all inclusive of all our people.”
In his outgoing speech, Dr Chaponda said his country was highly indebted to Sadc countries for standing by them during their tenure of chairing Sadc.
Online Reporter