APM sets stage for Sadc wisdom

President Peter Mutharika, chairing the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security, yesterday hosted the Sadc Panel of Elders (PoE), led by former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, to advance regional conflict resolution efforts. Emphasising the need for unity and “home-grown” solutions, Mutharika urged the inclusion of local citizens in peace processes to ensure long-term stability across Southern Africa. A brief State House Press Office statement made available to Weekend Nation last evening said during the talks, President Mutharika also stressed the need for the bloc to remain united.

Chaired by former Tanzania president Jakaya Kikwete, the PoE also includes former Malawi president Joyce Banda. Banda also leads a Sadc mediation team in Madagascar to resolve that country’s domestic unrest, which culminated into a military-led regime change last October driven by deep-seated economic failures, corruption and violent suppression of dissent, among other cited triggers. While commending the vital role the panel is playing in fostering peace and stability across the region, President Mutharika said more needs to be done to find home-grown solutions by including locals in conflict resolution efforts.

“We are all connected as a region and conflict in one Member State affects us all. Maintaining regional peace and political stability is, therefore, of paramount importance,” he said. He added: “It is highly recommended that the citizens in the countries affected by the conflicts are part of the solutions.

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In so doing, they own the process and the resolutions.” In his remarks after the meeting that took place at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, Kikwete said the gathering was aimed at briefing the Malawi President on the works the panel is doing in countries like Mozambique, Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of Congo and, most recently, in Madagascar. “We have had extensive discussions on precise direction we must take on the work we are doing. We are coming out of this meeting re-energised and expect to see a re-energised panel of elders,” he said.

According to Kikwete, it was important to have an audience with Mutharika as he is in-charge of all security matters within the bloc. “For Malawi, the meeting is important since President Mutharika chairs the Sadc Organ on Defence and Security—meaning he is in charge of all security matters across the Sadc region,” he said. On her part, former president Banda expressed gratitude to Mutharika for endorsing her name to lead mediation talks in Madagascar.

“Today is a special day for me as since my appointment, I finally have the opportunity to meet and discuss with my chair who also happens to be my president. For that, I feel greatly honoured,” she said.

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