DURBAN, South Africa: His Majesty King Mswati III has assumed the chairpersonship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
The King accepted the responsibility during the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held at the Durban International Convention Centre on Monday.
The SADC Organ is responsible for coordinating regional efforts on politics, defence, security, peacebuilding and democratic governance. The summit formally elected His Majesty as its chairperson.
Accepting the position, the King committed Eswatini to working with the outgoing and incoming leadership, the SADC Secretariat and all member states to maintain continuity and ensure that regional decisions are implemented effectively.
During Eswatini’s tenure, the Organ is expected to strengthen its ability to anticipate, prevent and respond to emerging political and security threats.
Its work will be guided by the SADC Treaty, the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, the Mutual Defence Pact and other relevant regional agreements.
Among the key matters requiring attention are the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and efforts to restore constitutional and political order in Madagascar. Regional security concerns in Mozambique also remain part of the Organ’s broader agenda.
Malawi’s Second Vice President Enoch Kanzingeni Chihana, who represented the outgoing chairperson, expressed confidence in Eswatini’s ability to lead the Organ.
Chihana praised the Kingdom’s readiness to take responsibility when called upon, including through its participation in SADC electoral observation missions. Malawi handed over the chairpersonship to Eswatini after leading the Organ during the previous term.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi said the region remained generally stable, although diplomatic efforts were continuing to address political and security challenges in some member states.
The 46th SADC Summit was held under the theme, “Translating SADC Vision 2050 into Action: Pathways Towards Solidarity, Equality and Shared Prosperity.”
The summit also saw President Cyril Ramaphosa assume the chairpersonship of SADC from President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe. South Africa will lead the regional bloc for the 2026 to 2027 term.
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