PRETORIA – 20TH JULY, 2015 – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has commended Zambia and five other countries in the region for conducting peaceful, free and fair elections.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana- Mashabane who is also Chairperson of the SADC Ministerial Committee on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation said in Pretoria, South Africa today that there was need for all member states to continue to adhere to guidelines which promote peaceful elections.
Ms. Nkoana-Mashabane was speaking during the official opening of the 17th SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
Other SADC countries that conducted peaceful elections during the past one year are; Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius and Lesotho.
She reiterated the need for SADC to continue to help some of the countries in the region which are still having challenges in trying to maintain peace.
She said the region has been working as a family and that it will be important to continue with the same spirit so that more achievements can be recorded.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba, Deputy Defence Minister Christopher Mulenga, Army Commander Paul Mihova, Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani and Zambia’s out-going High Commissioner to South Africa Muyeba Chikonde are attending the meeting.
The meeting which takes place annually will review the political and security situation during the past one year with the view of addressing challenges that may be threatening peace and security in the region.
The Ministerial Committee meeting will prepare a report which will be submitted to the SADC Summit in Gaborone, Botswana next month.
Issued from Pretoria, South Africa by Dorcas Ilunga- Chileshe
Public Relations Officer
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS