Zimbabwe’s Foreign Minister Amon Murwira has warned that regional development in southern Africa will remain unattainable without peace and security, cautioning that instability in parts of the region threatens to derail economic integration and trade.
Speaking at the opening of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers meeting in Madagascar on Tuesday, Murwira said peace and security form the foundation upon which all other pillars of development are built. “The threats to the peace we enjoy as a region, if not contained, will undermine intra-SADC trade and the very fabric of our integration agenda,” said Murwira who is outgoing chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers.
He cited ongoing conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and northern Mozambique as key challenges.
Murwira also urged member states to accelerate the ratification of SADC protocols and agreements, warning that delays threaten the region’s ability to establish a robust, rules-based framework for integration.
This delay is not just a procedural concern – it strikes at the very heart of our shared vision for a united, prosperous, and resilient region.”
Reflecting on Zimbabwe’s tenure as Council Chair, Murwira highlighted progress in health, education, infrastructure and gender equality, while calling for greater investment in industrialisation and regional value chains.
He commended Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe for implementing visa exemptions to promote free movement and urged other member states to follow suit.
JN/APA