SADC unity and prosperity: President Mnangagwa’s vision for the Region
By Dumisani Ndlovu
Zimbabwe assumed the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) during the 44th Heads of State and Government summit in Harare. Outgoing chairperson, President Joao Lourenco of Angola, handed over the badge of power and gavel to incoming chairperson, President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.
Accepting the chairmanship, President Mnangagwa emphasized the importance of regional unity and solidarity. “Let us never sacrifice our unity, solidarity or African culture for political or economic expediency. Ultimately, the burden and responsibility to build our countries and the region as a whole, for sustainable prosperity, lays with us, the great peoples’ of SADC,” he said.
President Mnangagwa called for the immediate lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and condemned the use of sanctions as a foreign policy tool. He also appealed for an end to the conflict in Palestine and respect for UN resolutions on the two-state solution and Western Saharawi independence.
Highlighting Zimbabwe’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, President Mnangagwa said: “We firmly believe in dialogue and diplomacy as the sustainable route for the resolution of conflict and disputes. We, thus, stand ready to play our part for consolidating the peace, unity, security and stability of our SADC region and ‘Silencing the Guns’ on our African Continent.”
The summit theme, “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC,” resonated with President Mnangagwa’s vision for the region. He emphasized the need for SADC countries to leverage human capital to spur technology and innovation.
In Zimbabwe, several innovation hubs have been established to ensure youth and entrepreneurs embrace the technology and innovation revolution. President Mnangagwa also called for investment in transformative agriculture and food systems, considering the region’s vulnerability to climate change-induced natural disasters.
He expressed hope that SADC would accelerate the implementation of regional projects and programs, including cross-border energy projects, transport infrastructure development, and climate-proofing agriculture.
