Several heads of state have arrived in Maputo, Mozambique for the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) scheduled for Wednesday, June 23.
The summit, which will be chaired by the current SADC chairperson, President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi is expected to discuss regional integration, cooperation and development issues.
The summit will consider the proposed SADC regional response and support to the Republic of Mozambique to address terrorism and acts of violent extremism in the Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique.
President @edmnangagwa has arrived in Mozambique to attend a SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Govt.The Summit will also mark the regional commemoration of SADC’s 40th Anniv @albertchekayi @lizmaggz @EMupoperi @JustinMahlahla @oleen_ndori pic.twitter.com/pNWjR5SXjE
— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) June 23, 2021
According to Daily Maverick, this would be the third time in a matter of weeks that the 16-nation bloc will attempt to reach this crucial decision.
“Agreement has so far eluded them, mainly, it seems, because the Mozambique government is reluctant to allow a proposed regional force on its soil.
His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa has arrived in Maputo, Mozambique for the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community. The Summit is a follow up of the Extraordinary SADC Double Troika Summit that took place on 27 May 2021.#BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/ITmH8ZU8vx
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) June 23, 2021
“There is still no clarity on Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi’s thinking on a regional military intervention, though most commentators and analysts believe he remains reluctant,” the report said.
Dozens of people died following an attack by Islamist militants, who targeted shops, banks, and a military barracks in Palma in March.
Militants linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) group were behind the conflict in the predominantly Muslim region.
According to BBC, the fighting has left 2 500 people dead and 70 000 displaced since the insurgency began in 2017.
President @LAZARUSCHAKWERA has arrived in Maputo for #SADC Summit. He was welcomed by Mozambique’s minister of Education Carmelita Namashula, Foreign Affairs Minister @EisenhowerMkaka and Veronica Chidothe, Charge d’Affaires for #Malawi in Maputo. @SKChilima @MwNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/WOTIUt7tn2
— Malawi Government?? (@MalawiGovt) June 23, 2021
A SADC Secretariat statement issued on Sunday, said the leaders will also discuss regional food and nutrition security, gender and development, and progress in the regional response to HIV and Aids and the Covid-19 pandemic.
SADC flags and those of SADC member states will be flown at half-mast during the summit and preceding meetings in honour of the late founding president of Zambia, Dr Kenneth Kaunda who died on Thursday last week.
Kaunda played a pivotal role in the formation of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), the forerunner to SADC.
PICTURE: Twitter/@zanupf_patriots
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
