By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
On the occasion of Southern Africa Liberation Day, President E.D. Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) honored the region’s heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives for independence, democracy, and sovereignty.
In astatement, Mnangagwa reflected on the ongoing struggles for economic ownership and dignity, urging SADC citizens to remain vigilant against emerging threats to their hard-won independence.
He condemned the imposition of illegal sanctions and called for solidarity to maintain the region’s autonomy.
The President also expressed solidarity with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, stating, “Africa will not be free until Western Sahara is liberated.”
He pointed out that while SADC remains a largely peaceful region, the situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to hinder the aspirations laid out by the region’s founding leaders.
“The time to ‘silence the guns’, de-escalate tensions and hostilities as well as to engage in dialogue to secure mediated outcomes for long-lasting peace in DRC is now,” he stated.
Moreover, Mnangagwa highlighted the impact of climate change on the region, stressing the need for decisive action to combat extreme weather conditions that threaten food security and livelihoods.
“The extreme weather patterns have resulted in frequent and severe droughts, threatening food security and livelihoods across our region,” read part of the statement
He called for improved early warning systems and collaborative resilience-building efforts.
The President appealed for unity among SADC citizens, asserting that the region’s transformation depends on collective determination and hard work.
“Long live our solidarity,” he declared.