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Zambia has pledged its unwavering support for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership in fostering peace and stability across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond. This commitment was made during the 34th session of the Zimbabwe-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security, which concluded yesterday in Victoria Falls.
The high-level meeting brought together top security officials from both nations, with Zimbabwe’s delegation led by Minister of State for National Security Lovemore Matuke, accompanied by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Permanent Secretaries Aaron Nhepera and Ambassador Raphael Faranisi. Zambia’s team was headed by acting Defence Minister Dr. Douglas Syakalima, alongside Home Affairs Minister Jacob Jack Mwiimbu and senior government officials.
In a joint statement, Matuke and Syakalima emphasized Zambia’s role as a member of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, reaffirming its commitment to backing President Mnangagwa’s peace initiatives.
By Ruvarashe Gora
“The Zambian delegation congratulated His Excellency, Dr. Mnangagwa, on assuming the SADC Chairmanship. As a member of the SADC Organ Troika, Zambia stands ready to support his efforts in ensuring peace and security in the region and beyond,” the statement read.
The commission acknowledged the relative stability across the region but raised concerns over ongoing security threats, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It noted the challenges posed by terrorism, human and drug trafficking, poaching, and other transnational crimes affecting SADC member states. The two nations agreed to strengthen cooperation and adopt new strategies to counter these security risks.
Additionally, the commission called for urgent regional efforts to address the escalating conflict in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province. It also praised Zimbabwe and other SADC nations—Botswana, Eswatini, DRC, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa—for successfully conducting elections since the commission’s last meeting in 2022.
In a show of solidarity, the commission renewed its call for the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, emphasizing the country’s ongoing diplomatic efforts under its engagement and re-engagement policy.
With regional security challenges persisting, Zambia’s endorsement of President Mnangagwa’s leadership in peacebuilding reinforces SADC’s collective commitment to stability, development, and cooperation across Southern Africa.
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