Luanda, Angola – Outgoing SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation (OPDSC) Chairperson, President Hage Geingob of Namibia, has highlighted the Organ’s achievements in promoting regional peace and security during his tenure.
In a statement delivered at the 43rd SADC Ordinary Summit in Luanda on August 17, 2023, President Geingob said the Organ convened three extraordinary summits to discuss and find solutions to the challenges of peace and security in the region.
“We assisted the Kingdom of Lesotho to negotiate vital government reforms and to undertake a peaceful transition of political power in 2022,” he said.
President Geingob also noted that several member states in the region will undertake general elections in the coming months, and expressed confidence that they will be held in a climate of peace.
Looking ahead, President Geingob said the Organ should focus on strengthening its interventions in support of the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Mozambique.
He also called for the completion of national reforms in Lesotho and the initiation of national dialogue in Eswatini.
Finally, President Geingob said the Organ should find options for the sustainable funding of SADC Electoral Observation Missions.
He thanked his colleagues in the Organ Troika, outgoing Chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and incoming Chairperson Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, for their support and cooperation during his tenure.
President Geingob also thanked the Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) and the SADC Secretariat for their work in promoting peace and security in the region.
The 43rd SADC Ordinary Summit is being held in Luanda, Angola, from August 17-18, 2023. The summit is expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including regional integration, economic development, and peace and security.
