Zambia has formally concluded its two-year tenure in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ Troika on Politics, Defense, and Security Cooperation. Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe represented President Hakainde Hichilema at the summit held in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The summit, chaired by Tanzanian Vice President Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, convened regional leaders to review political and security developments in Southern Africa.
Delivering Zambia’s closing statement, Minister Haimbe reaffirmed the country’s commitment to regional peace and stability. He described the handover as a reaffirmation of collective responsibility to uphold democracy, security, and cooperation within the bloc.
“Zambia assumed membership of the Organ Troika in August 2022 with humility and unwavering resolve, and worked tirelessly with Member states and the SADC Secretariat to advance the Organ’s mandate, focusing on conflict prevention, mediation, the consolidation of democracy in the region, and security cooperation,” Mr. Haimbe said.
During Zambia’s term, the country actively supported peace and political transitions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, and Lesotho. Minister Haimbe highlighted ongoing concern over deteriorating security in eastern DRC and expressed full support for the deployment of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC). He commended member states contributing troops, resources, and diplomatic support, noting it demonstrated regional solidarity and capacity to respond to threats against peace and sovereignty.
The Minister also emphasized Zambia’s leadership in facilitating SADC Electoral Observation Missions. He described these missions as critical for strengthening democratic architecture, ensuring electoral credibility, and promoting transparency. He praised the professionalism of observers and the cooperation of host countries in upholding SADC principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.
Minister Haimbe further addressed evolving threats such as cybercrime, terrorism, and transnational organized crime. He cited Zambia’s initiatives to promote intelligence sharing, capacity building, and border security cooperation during its Organ Troika tenure.
He expressed gratitude to fellow SADC leaders for their support and voiced confidence in the incoming leadership’s ability to sustain regional momentum toward peace, stability, and integration.
The SADC Organ Troika Summit remains a crucial platform for coordinating regional responses to political and security challenges, enabling member states to collectively uphold democracy, stability, and cooperation across Southern Africa.