Leaders from across southern Africa have gathered in the Zimbabwean capital for the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit, which commenced on Saturday.
Among the heads of state and government attending the summit are Angolan President João Lourenço, President Mokgweetsi Masisi (Botswana), President Felix Tshisekedi (Democratic Republic of Congo), King Mswati III (Eswatini), Prime Minister Sam Matekane (Lesotho), President Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar) and President Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi).
Others are President Filipe Nyusi (Mozambique), President Nangolo Mbumba (Namibia), President Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), President Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania) and host President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa is expected to take over the SADC chairmanship from Angola’s Lourenço who has chaired the regional organisation since August 2023.
The summit is being held under the theme “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialised SADC.”
Under its chairmanship over the coming year, Zimbabwe is expected to champion the role of innovation in promoting industrial development within SADC as well as push for the operationalisation of the proposed SADC Regional Development Fund, a facility envisaged to wean the region of its dependence on donor nations for funding of its programmes.
It is also expected to promote the attainment of peace and stability in DRC and Mozambique, which are battling insurgency in parts of their countries.
The leaders are expected to participate in high-level events on the summit’s sidelines, including visits to the Museum of African Liberation.
JN/APA