Gaborone - The prevailing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) directly affects the whole development and integration process of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço said Friday in Gaborone, Botswana.
Speaking at a meeting with senior officials of the SADC Executive Secretariat, the Angolan president said the organization's main concern, in terms of peace and security, continues to be the situation in the DRC, where there has been a worrying worsening of the conflict in the east of the country.
João Lourenço stressed the organization's commitment to send a detachment of SADC Brigade forces to help the DRC find the quickest path to stability and total pacification in the region.
The SADC chairperson stressed that, still in the context of peace and security, it is possible to see that the current situation in Mozambique is considerably calmer thanks to the deployment of SADC forces in the country.
João Lourenço praised the support provide to Mozambican defense forces in the fight against terrorism and extremism in Cabo Delgado province and saluted the member states that contributed financially and sent personnel to these two missions and expressed solidarity with the families of the soldiers who had lost their lives during these missions.
"The successes recorded so far would not have been possible if SADC did not count on the support and commitment of each of the states and each of the soldiers deployed in these areas," Lourenço said.
On behalf of the organization, he conveyed his deepest condolences to the authorities and people of Malawi for the tragic loss of the country's Vice-President, Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash on June 10.
João Lourenço also mourned the death of the former Prime Minister of Angola and Speaker National Assembly, Fernando França Van-Dúnem, that occurred Wednesday in Lisbon, Portugal.
Lobito Corridor
During his speech, the Angolan President highlighted the importance of the Lobito Corridor for the SADC region, as it contributes to the revitalization and boosting of various enterprises, with an impact on the regional economy.
Lourenço praised the stance of the SADC Secretariat in complying with the organization's directives and for carrying out a very consistent gender equality policy.
The Angolan Head of State also highlighted the institution's stance in constantly showing a high level of vigilance and attention to all the occurrences and phenomena that have taken place in the region and, as a result, triggering rapid and effective actions, initiatives and responses.
João Lourenço visited the SADC headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana, in his capacity as chairman of the regional organization, and unveiled the plaque marking this first visit to the organization's headquarters. IZ/ART/AMP
