Dar es Salaam. In an urgent response to the escalating political unrest in Mozambique, President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania convened an emergency virtual summit on Sunday as the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security Cooperation.
The meeting brought together the Heads of State and government from the Organ Troika, including leaders from Zambia and Malawi, alongside key Tanzanian officials such as Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Mahmoud Kombo and Defence Minister Dr Stergomena Tax.
The summit was prompted by widespread turmoil following the contested results of Mozambique’s general elections held on October 9 of last year.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, the discussions centered on SADC’s role in assisting Mozambique to navigate its political challenges.
Since the opposition rejected the election results, Mozambique has faced significant unrest, with violent protests leading to loss of life and severe damage to infrastructure.
Sunday’s summit aimed to review strategies for enhancing regional cooperation and implementing peacebuilding measures to stabilize the situation.
President Dr Samia urged all involved parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could exacerbate the violence.
She reaffirmed SADC’s dedication to facilitating peaceful resolution through established mechanisms and called for an immediate end to hostilities.
In her previous statement, President Dr Samia emphasized the need for constructive dialogue, asserting that it is crucial for addressing grievances and fostering national reconciliation.
“The restoration of peace in Mozambique is essential not only for the country’s stability but also for the Southern African region, which shares deep economic and social ties,” she noted.
The SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) reported that the elections were conducted peacefully, with citizens actively participating in the democratic process.
However, the aftermath has been overshadowed by violent protests and civil unrest across various regions of Mozambique, leading to significant casualties and extensive damage.
President Dr Samia expressed grave concern over the humanitarian crisis resulting from the unrest.
“We are alarmed by the ongoing loss of lives, injuries to innocent civilians, and the destruction of property and infrastructure. The current situation poses substantial economic challenges, disrupts cross-border trade, and impedes the free movement of people,” she stated.
As a matter of fact, the Organ Troika leaders committed to intensifying their support for Mozambique through coordinated regional initiatives.
The summit concluded with a collective aspiration to restore harmony and stability in Mozambique, aligning with SADC’s vision of good governance, social cohesion, and sustainable development across the region.
Ambassador Kombo reiterated SADC’s ongoing commitment to addressing the crisis in Mozambique, emphasizing the importance of dialogue among political factions.
“SADC is dedicated to finding sustainable solutions and has been consistently monitoring the situation,” he stated.
