Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimpapers Politics Hub
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation tomorrow officially opens its 27th Ordinary Meeting in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, aimed at promoting regional peace and security.
The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation recognises that peace, security and political relations are critical factors in creating a conducive environment for regional cooperation and integration.
In a statement on Monday, the regional bloc said member states were mandated to coordinate mechanisms that enhance the promotion of peace and security in line with Article 5 of the SADC Protocol of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
The meeting is being chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mr Mahmoud Thabit Kombo as the country ends its rotational chairmanship, a position it assumed during the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in August last year in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, in yesterday’s official statement, revealed that the meeting will also examine measures to enhance conflict prevention, management and resolution systems, including strengthening the early warning system that monitors political, security and socio-economic threats across the region.
Among other key issues, the 27th MCO will review progress in the implementation of the decisions of the previous meetings of the MCO, Council of Ministers and Summit of Heads of State and Government, the political situation and consolidation of democracy and good governance in the SADC region.
Under Tanzania’s leadership, four SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOMs) were deployed between October and November 2024 to Mozambique, Botswana, Mauritius and Namibia.
