By Kaleb Nghishidivali
LUANDA, Aug. 17 – President Dr Hage Geingob, the Outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, has handed over the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia. The handover was made at the 43rd anniversary of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) on August 17, 2023.
President Geingob expressed his gratitude to the Heads of State and Government for their support of the important work of the Organ. He confirmed that Namibia will diligently continue its role as the Outgoing Chair in the upcoming year.
The SADC Protocol places on the Chairperson the responsibility for the overall policy direction and achievement of the objectives of the Organ in promoting peace and security in the SADC region, in consultation with the SADC Troika.
In his speech, President Geingob stated that the Organ has continued to discharge its functions in line with Article 10A (3) of the SADC Treaty, and mentioned the progress that had been made during the year. He highlighted areas the Organ should focus on such as interventions in support of the territorial integrity of the DRC and the Republic of Mozambique and the completion of the implementation of national reforms in the Kingdom of Lesotho, and the initiation of national dialogue in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Geingob also expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Chairperson of the Organ, Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, and incoming Chairperson, Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia.
The SADC community commemorated 43 years of progress in pursuit of development, peace, security, and economic growth. The work of developing the region as part of the second phase for economic liberation and for the prosperity of all citizens continues. There is still much work to be done, such as fighting poverty and inequality and addressing the challenges of climate change, pandemics, transnational crime, and environmental degradation.
According to Geingob, Namibia will continue to play its part in regional integration by enabling trade and commerce for the landlocked neighbours. “The country is committed to the free movement of people in the region, and with the recent introduction of the use of national ID cards for travel between Namibia and Botswana, Namibia is demonstrating its commitment to an integrated SADC region,” he emphasized.
In conclusion, President Geingob expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders for their unwavering support and commitment to the SADC agenda. “Together, SADC can build a prosperous Southern Africa where all citizens can enjoy the benefits of inclusive and sustainable development,” he noted. – Namibia Daily News
