SADC ministers call for regional peace

August 17, 2026

Ministers and senior officials from SADC Organ Troika member states pose for a group photograph during the Ministerial Committee meeting in Durban, South Africa. Photo: SADC.

Ministers from Malawi, Eswatini and Tanzania have called for stronger regional cooperation to protect peace and security in Southern Africa.

The ministers met in Durban, South Africa, on Saturday, 15 August 2026, as members of the SADC Organ Troika Ministerial Committee on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

The meeting reviewed political, defence and security developments across the region and prepared recommendations for the SADC Organ Troika Summit held on Sunday.

The committee called for greater use of regional solidarity, preventive diplomacy, mediation and coordinated responses to political and security challenges.

Eswatini’s Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Hon. Dr Tambo Gina, sits with Under Secretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Vulindlela Kunene, during the SADC Organ Troika Ministerial Committee meeting in Durban, South Africa. Photo: SADC.

Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr George T. Chaponda, chaired the meeting.

Chaponda called for collective action in dealing with the complex and interconnected challenges facing SADC member states. He said regional responses should be guided by the SADC Treaty and the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

He also thanked Tanzania for its contribution during its tenure in the Organ Troika, particularly during periods involving peace support operations and regional security challenges.

Chaponda welcomed Eswatini as the incoming chair of the Organ and pledged Malawi’s support for the Kingdom’s leadership.

SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi said the region remained largely peaceful and stable, although continued attention was required to promote lasting peace in Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Magosi commended the SADC Panel of Elders and the Mediation Reference Group for leading mediation efforts in Madagascar following political changes in 2025.

He called for continued unity, vigilance and cooperation among member states to deal with emerging political and security threats.

Magosi said peace remained essential for sustainable development and regional integration.

The meeting’s recommendations were presented to the SADC Organ Troika Summit of Heads of State and Government on 16 August 2026.

The leadership of the SADC Organ has since shifted from Malawi to Eswatini, with the Kingdom taking responsibility for guiding the regional bloc’s politics, defence and security cooperation agenda.