by Kizito Sikuka in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – SANF 14 no 37
Presidents Armando Guebuza of Mozambique and Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia are expected to bid farewell as southern African leaders at the 34th SADC Summit Heads of State and Government Summit in the resort town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Both leaders are serving their second and last terms in office as per their national constitutions.
The two countries are preparing to hold general elections later this year to choose new government leaders. The elections in Mozambique are set for 15 October, while Namibia is scheduled to go to the polls in November.
Guebuza and Pohamba, who head their respective political parties, are not participating in the elections. Therefore, the 34th SADC Summit on 17-18 August will be their last in that capacity.
According to the SADC Summit programme, Guebuza is expected to deliver his farewell statement first, followed by Pohamba, chronicling some of the main achievements as well as challenges they experienced while leading SADC.
Both leaders have been instrumental in pushing the regional integration agenda forward, and are firm believers in the notion that SADC member states have a lot to gain from working together.
In his tenure as chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Pohamba was key to promoting peace and stability in the region, particularly the return to constitutional order in Madagascar and the ongoing efforts to achieve peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Guebuza oversaw the completion and launch of the SADC Regional Infrastructure Master Plan in 2012. The regional blueprint guides the development of key infrastructure projects in southern Africa.
The two leaders became Heads of State in 2005 following their inauguration after winning general elections held the previous year in their respective countries.
Pohamba and Guebuza have had the opportunity to chair SADC in 2010 and 2012, respectively.
Pohamba currently chairs the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and is expected to brief fellow SADC leaders during the summit on the general political situation in the region.
His report is expected to include a review of the situation in the eastern part of the DRC as well as an update on the situation in Lesotho.
Eastern DRC slid into political turmoil in 2012 when anti-government rebels invaded and captured the city of Goma, causing displacement of people and loss of lives and property.
However, the situation is being closely monitored by SADC, who have deployed peacekeeping forces in the country together with the United Nations.The situation is Lesotho is a little tense as the coalition government led by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane is experiencing some challenges. However, at their recent meeting with President Pohamba, the leaders of the Coalition Government pledged to working together in addressing the challenges.
The 34th SADC Summit meetings are held from 8-18 August, with the actual Summit of Heads of State and Government set for 17-18 August.
Prior to this, there are meetings of senior officials, followed by the Council of Ministers, who will adopt the agenda for the leaders.
The theme for the summit is “SADC Strategy for Economic Transformation: Leveraging the Region’s Diverse Resources for Sustainable Economic and Social Development through Beneficiation and Value Addition.”
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe becomes the SADC chair at this Summit for the coming year, taking over from his Malawian counterpart, President Peter Mutharika. sardc.net
