Mnangagwa Hands Over SADC Chairmanship to Ramaphosa
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has formally handed over the SADC Chairpersonship to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit in Durban, South Africa.
In his farewell message, Mnangagwa thanked Ramaphosa for his leadership as interim SADC Chairperson and commended Malawi for steering the regional bloc’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
He also thanked SADC member states for their support in Zimbabwe’s successful bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, saying Africa’s voice remained strong on the global stage.
Mnangagwa expressed solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo amid ongoing security challenges and the Ebola outbreak, while paying tribute to former acting Zambian President Guy Scott.
Turning to the region’s economic future, Mnangagwa called for greater self-reliance and urged SADC countries to reduce dependence on donor funding and drive their own development.
He said true independence required local communities to benefit directly from the region’s vast natural resources through value addition and mineral processing.
Mnangagwa further called for greater investment in agro-processing, skills development, innovation and technology to strengthen regional food and economic security.
He highlighted the Kazungula Water Project as an example of what regional cooperation can achieve, linking Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia in efforts to strengthen water security and trade.
He also called for stronger regional early-warning systems for climate-related disasters and funding to complete the permanent SADC Standby Force headquarters in Botswana.
“Together, as a united SADC, we will build a resilient, industrialised and self-reliant region,” Mnangagwa said, as he congratulated Ramaphosa on assuming the SADC Chairpersonship.