Mohloai Mpesi
The ongoing national reforms process mandated to bring everlasting peace, transitional justice and reconciliation in the country has been extended with full six months.
This is according to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in its communiqué released following the sub-regional body’s 41st Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government which was held in the Republic of Malawi, Lilongwe on August 17 and 18 2021.
The summit was comprised of Botswana President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Madagascar President Andry Nirina Rajoelina, Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, Mozambique President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, South Africa President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, United Republic of Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Zimbabwe President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Namibia Vice President Dr Nangolo Mbumba, Eswatini Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini, Lesotho Deputy Prime Minister Mathibeli Mokhothu, Angola Ambassador Tete Antonio, Minister of External Relations of Angola, Comoros Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Zambia Mwansa Kapeya, Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to the Republic of Botswana and SADC.
Summit which received a progress report from the SADC Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho, Ramaphosa on the implementation of SADC decisions in Lesotho extolled the country for progress made in implementing SADC decisions in the on-going reforms.
“Summit also urged the Kingdom of Lesotho to expedite completion of the on-going reforms, and to continue with peace, transitional justice and reconciliation process to engender national unity, and bring about national healing and cohesion,†the statement reads.
“Summit recommended an extension of the mandate of the National Reforms Authority for a period of six months, from 30th October 2021 to 30th April 2022,†the statement continues.
The summit commended the SADC Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho H.E. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, for his dedication and continued facilitation, and extended his mandate as the SADC Facilitator until the 42nd Summit of Heads of State and Government.
In a related topic, the conference reviewed a report about the security instability in Northern Mozambique, Cabo Delgado province.
“Summit received updates on the Security Situation in Cabo Delgado Province, in the Northern part of the Republic of Mozambique, and commended SADC Member States for pledging personnel and providing financial support towards the deployment of the SADC Standby Force to Mozambique,†the statement reads.