Chronicle Editor
Farirai Machivenyika, Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira yesterday underscored the critical role of peace and security in SADC’s integration agenda. He stressed that a stable and peaceful region is essential for unlocking the full potential of its citizens.
Professor Murwira made these remarks during his opening speech at a meeting of SADC’s Council of Ministers on the second day of the SADC’s Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, held at the new Parliament building in Mt Hampden.
The Extraordinary Summit was convened to address the security situation in eastern DRC, which has led to the massive displacement of over 6.4 million people, with women, girls, and children bearing the brunt of the conflict.
“Our meeting reaffirms our enduring commitment to a stable and secure SADC. You will agree with me that peace and security remain essential prerequisites for achieving our regional development agenda.
“Not only do they play a crucial role in regional co-operation and integration, but they also create a safe environment for our people to thrive,” Professor Murwira said.
He explained that the meeting aimed to consider the security situation in eastern DRC, as informed by the Field Assessment Mission Report, and to provide recommendations on the future mandate of the SADC Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC) to their Principals.
“We are deeply concerned about the security and humanitarian situation in the DRC. Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters who have been internally displaced. It is therefore imperative that we take urgent and decisive measures to bring lasting peace and stability to the lives of the people in eastern DRC.
“Our fellow Member States who have deployed troops in DRC deserve immense credit for their unwavering support in combating terrorism and other atrocities that have disrupted peace and security in the region. We pay tribute to our heroic sons and daughters who have lost their lives ensuring the region’s safety. We are indeed indebted to them. May their souls rest in peace,” he said.
The Minister commended the experts in the Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, led by Mr Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Co-operation and Chairperson of the Organ, for their technical preparatory efforts ahead of the Summit.
“We all have a duty to ensure peace, security and stability in all our Member States. I am confident that our deliberations will be fruitful and yield positive outcomes for the benefit of our people,” Professor Murwira said.
In his remarks, SADC Executive Secretary, Mr Elias Magosi, noted that since the deployment of SAMIDRC in December last year, the security situation in the Mission’s area of operation has remained relatively calm due to a series of political and diplomatic initiatives undertaken over the past four months, including a two-week humanitarian truce reached in July this year and a ceasefire deal between the Governments of Rwanda and the DRC on August 4.
“However, the security situation in the eastern part of the DRC remains a source of regional concern requiring constant monitoring,” Mr Magosi said.
He said that he had met with UN officials during the General Assembly in September and reiterated the need for international support to achieve lasting peace in the DRC.
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