Malawi Hosts SADC Ministerial Meeting on Regional Security

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened in Salima, Malawi, for a series of high-level diplomatic sessions focused on regional peace and security. Senior officials began preparatory expert deliberations on July 13 and 14 at the Livingstonia International Conference Centre to establish recommendations for the 28th Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

These senior officials are reviewing the SADC Mutual Defence Pact and addressing specific crises, including the humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the conflict in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Province, and the electoral transition in Madagascar. The agenda also includes efforts to preserve regional liberation history and strengthen democratic governance.

The preparatory phase, chaired by Malawi's Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will lead into the main ministerial meeting on July 16 and 17. Chaired by Malawi's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. George Thapatula Chaponda, the ministerial session will involve representatives from all 16 SADC member states. This sequence of meetings serves as a critical precursor to the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled for August.