Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
AMID an increasingly complex regional and global political and security environment, SADC’s Panel of Elders and the Mediation Reference Group have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening mediation, conflict prevention, and preventive diplomacy in the Southern African region.
The Panel of Elders held their joint statutory meeting in South Africa, attended by former Tanzanian president Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who is also the Chairperson of the Panel, former president of Malawi Dr Joyce Banda, former vice president of Mauritius Paramasivum Pillay Vyapoory, MRG members and the SADC Secretariat.
In his remarks, Dr Kikwete underscored the importance of strengthening SADC’s early warning system in light of the increasingly evolving regional and global political and security landscape.
“He called for increased and sustainable financial support to the Panel of Elders and MRG to effectively operationalise the SADC Mediation, Conflict Prevention and Preventive Diplomacy Structure, designed to prevent and resolve significant inter- and intra-state conflicts in the SADC region,” said the SADC Secretariat in a communiqué yesterday.
The SADC Panel of Elders is part of the SADC Mediation and Conflict Prevention and Preventive Diplomacy structure that was established by the SADC Heads of State and Government in 2004, to foster political and security stability in the region through the prevention and resolution of significant inter-state and intra-state conflicts.
This structure comprises eminent personalities that include former Heads of State and Government who were appointed for their reputable and demonstrable political and technical expertise in conflict resolution, preventative diplomacy and mediation.
On his part, SADC Secretariat Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, presented an overview of the political and security situation in the SADC region.
He noted that while the SADC region remains broadly peaceful and stable, isolated peace and security challenges persist and require collective regional action, including the timely interventions of the Panel of Elders and MRG.
“Prof Theletsane acknowledged the invaluable role of the SADC Panel of Elders and MRG in supporting regional efforts towards the consolidation of peace and security across the SADC region,” said SADC.
The joint meeting endorsed and validated the revised SADC Mediation, Conflict Prevention and Preventive Diplomacy framework to be submitted for consideration at the next ordinary meeting of the Ministerial Committee of Organ (MCO) and Council of Ministers in July and August, respectively.
The framework is aimed at strengthening SADC Mediation, Conflict Prevention, and Preventive Diplomacy structures, such as the Panel of Elders, the MRG and the Network of Women Mediators in the SADC region.
Former President Banda presented an overview of her work in leading the SADC regional mediation process in Madagascar, in accordance with the decision of the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to deploy the Panel of Elders and MRG to support the restoration of political stability, constitutional order and democratic governance.
“The Panel of Elders and MRG members commended the leadership of H.E. Dr Joyce Banda in advancing the SADC mandate in Madagascar.
“The meeting welcomed the presentation made by Professor Vasu Gounden, Founder and Executive Director of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), on capacity strengthening in conflict prevention and mediation, highlighting that the presentation provided valuable insights and key principles for effective conflict management and resolution.
“The meeting congratulated Brigadier General (Retired) Joel George Martins of the Republic of South Africa on his election as the MRG Chairperson and Ambassador Mpeo Mahase-Moiloa of the Kingdom of Lesotho on her election as the MRG Vice Chairperson,” said SADC.
The Panel of Elders and MRG members called for continued monitoring of the political and security situation in the region with a view to finding a lasting solution to the inter- and intra-state conflicts in the SADC region.
