On his Facebook platform, the outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation addressed the public to clarify why he attended the annual SADC meeting virtually. This statement comes as several Southern African Heads of State were hosted by President E.D. Mnangagwa in Zimbabwe. The absence of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema from the summit’s first day did not go unnoticed by the media.

President Hichilema explained that he chose to participate virtually in the SADC summit due to pressing internal issues in Zambia that required his presence. In his message, he extended an apology to the Zambian nation.

“Yesterday, we were honoured to virtually participate and Chair the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, during the Organ Troika Summit of Heads of State and Government currently underway in Harare, Zimbabwe. In our remarks, we regretted that we were unable to be in Harare due to pressing national matters that required our presence here at home,” said President Hichilema.

He also praised the incoming Chairperson of SADC, President Mnangagwa, and Zimbabwe for the support they provided to him and Zambia during their tenure as Chair of the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, and for the hospitality extended to the Zambian delegation in Zimbabwe.

“We, however, expressed our gratitude to His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the government, and the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe for the warm reception and gracious hospitality to the Heads of State and the Zambian delegation. We thanked their Excellencies for their invaluable support rendered to us and indeed Zambia during our tenure as Chairperson of the Organ,” said President Hichilema.

He described the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation as the backbone of the SADC organization, emphasizing its role in promoting peace, security, and political stability in the region.

“The Organ is the backbone of SADC, as it seeks to promote peace, security, and political stability, without which socio-economic development would not be realised in our region,” said President Hichilema.

In his virtual remarks during the SADC summit opening in Harare, Zimbabwe, President Hichilema noted that the political and security situation in the region has generally remained stable, despite challenges in a few member states. He also commended the recent elections in SADC member states, noting they brought about good leadership and encouraged all member states to maintain peace.

President Hichilema pledged his full support to the incoming Chairperson of the Organ, Tanzanian President H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, and vowed to continue playing his role as the outgoing Chair throughout the remainder of this year and into the next.

(Source: Facebook, Hakainde Hichilema)