Question NW1966 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
28 September 2021 - NW1966
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What are the (a) key strategic priorities of the Republic after assuming the role of organ of peace and security in the region at the 41st Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community and (b) budgetary implications in this regard?
Reply:
During the 41st Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on 17 and 18 August 2021 in Lilongwe, Republic of Malawi, the Republic of South Africa became the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
The overall objective and function of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security is the promotion of peace, security and stability as well as good
governance and democracy in the SADC Region.
The political and the security situation in the Region is relatively peaceful and stable, notwithstanding isolated challenges in some Member States (Kingdom of Lesotho, DRC, Mozambique and the Kingdom of Eswatini) and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the Chairship of South Africa, the Organ’s focus will be on the following key issues:
- The facilitation process in the Kingdom of Lesotho;
- The deployment of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM);
- The continuation of the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC);
- The situation in Eswatini; and
- Observation of elections in the Region.
- Operationalisation of the Mediation Reference Group and Council of the Elders.