President Hichilema leaves for SADC summit in Angola, set to become committee chairman

President Hakainde Hichilema is today, Wednesday, expected to attend the 43rd Ordinary Summit of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government in Luanda, Angola.

The meeting would run from August 16 to August 17, 2023.

The announcement was made by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Stanley Kakubo, in Lusaka on Wednesday.

Kakubo said the Summit would be hosted by Angolan President, João Lourenço, and convened under the theme “Human and Financial Capital: The Key Drivers for Sustainable Industrialization of the SADC Region”.

He said during the regional summit, Hichilema would assume the Chairmanship of the SADC Organ for Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, taking over from Namibian President Hage Geingob.

Kakubo explained that Zambia’s assumption of the Chairmanship holds immense benefits for both the nation and the broader SADC community.

He added that this would elevate Zambia’s international standing, positioning the nation as a force for positive change and a beacon of regional leadership.

“Furthermore, the pursuit of peace and security under President Hichilema’s guidance will catalyse economic growth, enable social development, and reinforce the SADC region’s commitment to collaboration and cohesiveness,” he said.

Kakubo said ahead of the 43rd Ordinary Summit, Hichilema was expected to attend the Organ Troika Summit on August 16, 2023.

At the Summit, Kakubo, said the President would also hold bilateral meetings with regional leaders on margins of the Summit.

“The SADC Summit is expected to review progress on the implementation of the SADC regional integration agenda as outlined in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020-2030, which seeks to promote a peaceful, inclusive, competitive, and middle-to-high income industrialized bloc,” he said.

The Minister added that the 43rd Ordinary Summit was preceded by the meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers which took place on August 13, 2023.

“To this end, Hichilema’s participation in the SADC Summit is poised to reaffirm Zambia’s historical prominence in the region, bolstering the collective welfare of the People of Zambia and the extended SADC family,” he said.

Hichilema is expected to return to Lusaka immediately after his engagements.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.