The SADC summit in Kinshasa this week has signalled the challenges faced by the region, from political instability to regional security threats, and the need to resolve some of the problems urgently.
It was attended by the heads of state and government and/or their representatives of Eswatini, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kingdom of Lesotho, Angola and Madagascar.
Elias Mpedi Magosi, the SADC executive secretary, was also in attendance, while Dr Vera Songwe, the secretary-general of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, delivered pre-recorded remarks.
Internal elections:
DRC President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo was elected as SADC chairperson.
Namibian President Hage Geingob was elected as chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation.
The outgoing chairperson of the…