SALIMA, Malawi — Eswatini is preparing to take on a key regional leadership role as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, participates in the 28th Ordinary Meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation in Salima, Malawi.
Shakantu is attending the meeting as the incoming chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ, the SADC body responsible for coordinating regional efforts to promote peace, security, democracy and political stability across the bloc’s 16 member states.
The meeting, taking place from 16 to 17 July at the Livingstonia International Conference Centre, was officially opened by Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr George Thapatula Chaponda, who currently chairs the committee.
The MCO brings together ministers responsible for foreign affairs, defence, state security and public security to assess regional security challenges and provide strategic direction ahead of the annual SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The ministerial session follows a Senior Officials Meeting held from 13 to 14 July, where technical delegations from member states reviewed the region’s security landscape and prepared recommendations for ministers.
Eswatini’s Commitment
According to Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials discussed several pressing regional issues, including the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar’s political and electoral transition, and the implementation of the SADC Mutual Defence Pact.
Addressing delegates, Shakantu reaffirmed Eswatini’s commitment to providing inclusive and collaborative leadership as the Kingdom prepares to assume the Chairmanship of the Organ Troika under His Majesty King Mswati III.
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“As the Kingdom of Eswatini prepares to assume the Chairmanship of the Organ Troika by His Majesty King Mswati III, Eswatini reaffirms its commitment to principled, inclusive, and collaborative leadership,” she said.
“We look forward to working closely with our Troika partners, all member states, the SADC Secretariat and all relevant stakeholders in advancing the Organ’s mandate and strengthening peace, security and political stability across our region.”
Shakantu said Eswatini’s leadership would be guided by dialogue, consultation and regional cooperation.
“The Kingdom of Eswatini pledges robust engagement with all stakeholders and an unwavering commitment to consensus-building, consultation and African solutions to African challenges,” she said.
The Ministerial Committee of the Organ provides policy guidance and recommendations to the SADC Summit on matters relating to peace, security and governance. It also oversees the implementation of regional initiatives aimed at conflict prevention, democratic governance and political stability.
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Once formally confirmed at the SADC Summit in August, Eswatini will assume a central role in coordinating the regional bloc’s response to several complex challenges, including the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC, Madagascar’s political transition and Mozambique’s continued post-insurgency stabilisation efforts.
Eswatini delegation
Shakantu is leading a high-level multi-sector delegation comprising senior officials from government, security agencies and the diplomatic service:
- H.E. Mlondi Dlamini, High Commissioner to Mozambique
- Dorcas Dlamini, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
- Mumcy Dlamini, Deputy National Commissioner, Royal Eswatini Police Service
- Vusi Edgarson Mkhabela, Deputy National Commissioner for State Security
- Vulindlela Kunene, Under Secretary (Political), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
- Brigadier General Petros Bhembe, Chief of Defence Intelligence
- Nomkhosi Fakudze, Commissioner, Royal Eswatini Police Service
- Thobile Mavuso, Director of the SADC Unit, Ministry of Economic Planning and Development
- Zandi Dlamini, International Cooperation Coordinator
- Nombuso Dlamini, Defence Attaché at the High Commission of the Kingdom of Eswatini in Pretoria
- Bagcinele Maphanga, Assistant Socio-Political Analyst, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The diverse composition of the delegation reflects the broad scope of the Organ’s work, which requires close coordination between diplomatic, defence, intelligence, policing, justice and development institutions.
The outcomes of the ministerial meeting will be submitted to the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in August, where Eswatini is expected to formally take over the Chairmanship of the Organ Troika, placing the Kingdom at the forefront of regional peace and security initiatives.
