DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA — The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security Cooperation convened its Ordinary Organ Troika Summit in Durban today on the eve of the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.
Presided over by the Right Honorable Enock Kamzingeni Chihana, Second Vice President of Malawi representing Organ Chair President Arthur Peter Mutharika, the high-level meeting focused on regional security crises, political dialogue, and democratic governance across member states.
Key Security & Humanitarian Directives
Delivering opening addresses, both SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi and Vice President Chihana outlined critical security interventions across the bloc:
- Eastern DRC Security & Health Crisis: The summit reaffirmed SADC’s commitment to finding a lasting political solution in Eastern DRC alongside the East African Community, African Union, Washington Accords, and Doha Peace Framework. Regional leaders also highlighted the urgent humanitarian response to a fast-spreading Ebola outbreak in the DRC, commending Angola, South Africa, and Zimbabwe for funding emergency relief.
- Mozambique Security Operations: Regional leaders praised ongoing security operations in Cabo Delgado Province aimed at eliminating terrorist cells, alongside inclusive national dialogue initiatives following Mozambique’s 2024 elections.
- Madagascar Constitutional Reforms: The Organ underscored ongoing national reconciliation efforts led by former Malawian President Dr. Joyce Banda, confirming the planned establishment of a dedicated SADC Liaison Office to support constitutional reform ahead of general elections.
- Electoral Governance: SADC highlighted successful election observation missions deployed across the region over the past year, including recent missions in Malawi, Seychelles, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Organ Troika Leadership Transition
The Durban summit also marked the formal transition of leadership within SADC’s security umbrella:
| Leadership Role | Country | Delegate Representative |
| Outgoing Chairperson | United Republic of Tanzania | Dr. Rimo Nyansaho, Minister of Defense & National Service (representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan) |
| Current Chairperson | Republic of Malawi | Enock Kamzingeni Chihana, Second Vice President (representing President Arthur Peter Mutharika) |
| Incoming Chairperson | Kingdom of Eswatini | Senator Polile Shakantu, Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (representing King Mswati III) |
To support rapid deployment for future peace operations and natural disasters, SADC leaders confirmed ongoing progress toward operationalizing the SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot in Botswana.
