The Pan Afrikanist Watchman

SADC leaders have finally approved the Mandate for the SADC Standby Force Mission to the Republic of Mozambique, to be deployed in support of Mozambique to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism in Cabo Delgado.

This came to light at the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held at Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique, on the 23rd June 2021.

The decision is part of the recommendations of the Report of the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi who is slso President of Botswana.

Other decisions emanating from the Extraordinary Summit and carried in the post-summit communiqué were that:

Summit urged the Member States in collaboration with Humanitarian Agencies to continue providing humanitarian support to the population affected by the terrorist attacks, in Cabo Delgado, including the internally displaced persons.

Summit commended the Republic of Mozambique for offering to host SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) in Nacala, Mozambique, a centre that is expected to enhance regional preparedness, and timely response.

Summit launched the SADC at 40^th Publication, and urged SADC citizens to use the Publication to appreciate the history of SADC.

Summit committed to enhance SADC regional and national capacities in research and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and other essential drugs and medicines, promotion of traditional and alternative medicines, and the development of vaccines.

Summit urged SADC Member States and the International Community to support the proposal for a temporary waiver of certain provisions of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to allow more countries to produce COVID-19 vaccine, for more efficient response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summit called upon the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to finalise negotiations on the waiver of certain provisions of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and expedite its operationalisation.

Summit called for the end of vaccine nationalism and for equal access to vaccine by all countries.

Summit urged all SADC citizens to continue observing and adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures.

Summit called upon countries that are limiting SADC residents to travel to their countries based on origin and type of vaccine they received to reconsider their positions.

Summit commended H.E. President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, for championing the proposal to waive certain provisions of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), so as to enable more countries to produce COVID-19 vaccine and facilitate access to all.

Summit urged Member States to strengthen and expand coverage of social protection and safety nets programmes to cater for increasing numbers of food insecure population, and to promote value addition through agro-processing.

Summit urged Member States to domesticate the Regional Food and Nutrition Security Strategy into National Food and Nutrition Security Strategies to address the growing rates of malnutrition; and to strengthen and expand coverage of social protection and safety nets programmes;

Summit reiterated its call on the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on the Republic of Zimbabwe, and support Zimbabwe in the ongoing socio-economic strengthening efforts.

Summit expressed sympathy and solidarity with the Government and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo following the Nyiragongo volcanic eruption in Goma, which caused the destruction of property, loss of life and displacement of people.

Summit commended H.E. President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi for outstanding leadership in spearheading the work of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

Summit commended the Republic of Mozambique for organising a successful Business Forum on the margins of the Extra-Ordinary SADC Summit.

Summit commended H.E. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique and Chairperson of SADC for his leadership in spearheading the regional integration agenda despite the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Summit noted the invitation by the Incoming Chairperson of SADC, H.E. Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi to the 41^st Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in Lilongwe, Malawi in August, 2021.

Summit expressed deepest condolences to Former President Dr Kaunda’s family, His Excellency Dr. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Government and the People of the Republic of Zambia following the passing on of H.E. Dr Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda, first President of the Republic of Zambia and the last surviving founding father of SADC and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the forerunner of the African Union (AU); and paid tribute to late former President Dr. Kaunda for the pivotal role he played in the liberation struggle, and for laying a solid foundation for regional integration of Southern Africa.

Summit also expressed heartfelt condolences to Dr. Magufuli’s family, Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Government and the People of the United Republic of Tanzania on the passing of His Excellency Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, the 5^th President of the United Republic of Tanzania, a Visionary leader who championed the development of Africa, the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe and the introduction and recognition of Kiswahili, a language which was used during the liberation struggle; and stood for the political and economic independence of the Continent, and the use Africa’s natural resources for the benefit of its peoples.

Summit also expressed deep condolences to Government of His Majesty, people of Eswatini, and the Dlamini family on passing of the Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini, His Excellency Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, an experienced leader and businessman who served the Kingdom of Eswatini, and the SADC Region with utmost diligence.

Summit was officially opened by H.E. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique and Chairperson of SADC, and attended by the following Heads of State and Government and/or their representatives:

Botswana:                                H.E. President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi

DRC                                         H.E. President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo

Lesotho:                                  The Right Hon Prime Minister Dr. Moeketsi Majoro

Malawi:                                    H.E. President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera

Mozambique:                           H.E. President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi 

South Africa:                            H.E. President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa 

 United Republic of Tanzania:     H.E. President Samia Suluhu Hassan

Zimbabwe:                              H.E. President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

Eswatini:                                 Senator Themba Masuku, Acting Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini

Angola:                               Hon. Eugenio Cesar Laborinho, Minister of Interior Affairs, representing H.E. President João Manuel Gonçalves       Lourenço

Comoros:                               Hon. Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Union of Comoros

Madagascar:                           Hon. Dr Djacoba Tehindrzanarivelo, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Namibia:                                 Hon. Dr. Albert Kawana Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, safety and Security  

Mauritius:                                H. E. Mr J. P. Jhumun, Head of Mission at the High Commission of Mauritius in Maputo, Mozambique

Zambia:                                  H. E. Mr Mwansa Kapeya, Zambia’s High Commissioner to Botswana

Also in attendance was H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, SADC Executive Secretary.