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Experts believe that during the 12 months that Angola has chaired the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the country, under the leadership of President João Lourenço, has demonstrated a strong commitment to the goals set by the organization.
The main responsibilities of the Angolan management are to organize and hold summits and ministerial meetings, as well as to oversee the agenda and programs of the Southern African Development Community, functions that, according to Oswaldo Mboko, are carried out efficiently.
However, international relations experts stressed that it is important to emphasize that the SADC chairmanship does not imply unilateral responsibility for solving all the organization’s challenges.
“Rather, the outcome depends on the joint efforts of all member states, which must work in a coordinated manner to achieve common goals,” said Oswaldo Mboko.
Analysing the mission in Angola, he said that “it is clear that the country has managed to maintain continuity in the work of the Southern African Development Community, as reflected in the transition to Zimbabwe, where the leadership motto follows the same priorities set by Angola”.
He added that themes such as peace and security, industrialization, human and financial capital remain the fundamental pillars of the SADC 2020-2030 Plan, which requires the concerted efforts of all members.
Diplomatic Rise
Mboko said Angolan diplomacy was particularly active during this period, especially with regard to the conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique.
He said SADC’s mission in Mozambique and its mediation role in the Democratic Republic of the Congo highlighted Angola’s influence and commitment in the search for peace and lasting solutions in the region.
However, experts say Angola still needs to make further progress on the SADC free trade agreement, bearing in mind the country’s weak industrialization and the destruction of its infrastructure during the civil war that lasted about 30 years, which is seen as one of the factors hindering this progress.
He said that although Angola no longer holds the SADC chairmanship, it continues to play an important role in mediating the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“In fact, as far as we know, President Joao Lourenço embodied this commitment by being in Rwanda for the inauguration of President Paul Kagame, and he also held important diplomatic meetings with Rwandan politicians during the ceremony and subsequently with the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix Tshisekedi,” he said.
He believes that these efforts reflect the continuity of Angola’s work to safeguard peace in the region, in accordance with the African Union’s mandate.
Excellent performance
Francisco Kitkuro Afonso believes that Angola’s diplomacy has achieved remarkable results during its chairmanship of SADC, but still faces challenges, especially in the areas of industrialization and free trade.
The political scientist also said that Angola’s ongoing efforts, in addition to mediating the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, strengthen the country as an influential player in promoting peace and stability in the southern region and across the African continent.
Francisco Afonso highlighted the talks held this week in Luanda between the Presidents of Angola, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, aimed at establishing peace and order in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He added that the discussions will cover the cessation of hostilities, withdrawal and disarmament of armed groups, tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the role of the international community in supporting the peace process, and regional security and development strategies.
The goal, he said, is to promote a peaceful, sustainable solution to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Calls for continued peace efforts
In his handover speech in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, highlighted the main achievements and challenges faced by Angola during its chairmanship of the organization.
The Angolan Head of State stressed Angola’s commitment to SADC objectives, such as promoting peace and security, industrialization and the development of human and financial capital in the region.
He stressed the importance of Member States working together to achieve those goals and expressed confidence that those efforts would continue under the current presidency of Emmerson Mnangagwa.
João Lourenço also discussed Angola’s efforts to mediate conflicts, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and stressed that the country is committed to continuing to play an active role in the search for peaceful solutions in the region.
The 44th ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held in Harare, Zimbabwe on the 17th.
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