Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been appointed Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Troika on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation.
The appointment was made during the 44th ordinary SADC summit of heads of state and government held on August 17, 2024, in Mount Hampden, Harare, Zimbabwe.
President Hassan’s new role involves overseeing and managing regional political, defence, and security issues
within the SADC framework. She succeeds Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, who previously held the position.
President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnanagagwa, reaffirmed his country’s support and firm commitment to the Sahrawi people’s cause in his speech upon assuming the presidency of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) during its 44th Summit held in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, from August 17 to 18.
In his address, President Mnanagagwa emphasized the SADC’s commitment to its core principles, which include liberation and solidarity, underscoring its steadfast support for the Sahrawi people’s just struggle for freedom and independence.
The African leader expressed his absolute support for his group’s position on the Sahrawi cause, noting that these values are at the heart of the principles on which the group is founded.
A Sahrawi delegation is participating in the summit, consisting of Sahrawi Ambassador to South Africa in charge of African Affairs, Mohamed Yeslem Beissat, and Sahrawi Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Eluali Moussa.
SADC’s membership includes South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Seychelles, Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar.
Representatives from the 16-member countries from Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands are meeting in this Summit to discuss significant regional issues and enhance mutual cooperation.
This summit comes at a crucial time as the Southern African Development Community continues to strengthen its efforts towards sustainable development and regional cooperation, with ongoing support for justice and human rights issues.
