In a surprising turn of events, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema did not attend the Southern African Development Community (SADC) organ troika summit in person. Instead, he addressed the summit through a video link from Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. His decision not to attend in person has raised many questions and sparked discussions, especially due to the complex relationship between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The SADC organ troika summit is an important event where leaders from the region come together to discuss key topics such as politics, defense, and security cooperation. These discussions play a vital role in shaping the future of the Southern African region. President Hichilema, who was the outgoing chairperson of the SADC organ on politics, defense, and security cooperation, had an important role to play at this summit. He was supposed to hand over the leadership to the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Many people expected Hichilema to travel to Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, where the summit was being held. However, instead of making the short trip, which would have taken just 30 minutes by plane, Hichilema stayed in Lusaka and joined the summit through a video link. His decision has left many wondering why he did not attend in person.
Up to now, there has been no official explanation for why Hichilema chose not to travel to Harare. As a result, people have been coming up with their own reasons. Some believe that it could have something to do with the sometimes tense relationship between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Others think there may have been concerns about security or health issues. But nothing has been confirmed yet.
During his video speech, President Hichilema spoke about the work the SADC organ has done under his leadership. He mentioned how they have focused on promoting democracy, working on resolving conflicts, and ensuring security in the region. According to Hichilema, all these efforts are crucial for bringing peace and stability to the Southern African region.
Hichilema emphasized that the SADC organ has worked hard to promote democracy in the region. This includes supporting countries to hold free and fair elections and encouraging good governance. He also talked about the organ’s role in helping to resolve disputes between countries, as well as internal conflicts within countries. He said that all of this work is key for keeping the region stable and secure.
Even though he did not attend the summit in person, Hichilema still formally handed over the chairmanship to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. He expressed his confidence in her ability to lead the SADC organ and continue the work that has been started. Hichilema noted that Tanzania has a strong history of helping to promote peace and stability in the region. He said that he is sure the organ will be in good hands with President Hassan as its new chairperson.
Hichilema’s decision not to attend the summit in person has raised more questions than answers. People are left wondering if there are deeper issues at play, such as unresolved tensions between Zambia and Zimbabwe, or if it was simply a matter of convenience for Hichilema to stay in Lusaka. Without any clear explanation from Hichilema or his office, it is difficult to know why he chose not to travel to Harare.
What is clear, however, is that the SADC organ plays a very important role in the region. The challenges of promoting democracy, helping to resolve conflicts, and maintaining security are not easy tasks. But these are issues that the leaders of the SADC countries must continue to work on for the benefit of the region.
As President Hassan takes over as chairperson of the SADC organ, many people will be watching to see how she leads the organization. She now has the responsibility to guide the group and continue the important work that was started by President Hichilema. People are eager to see how she will handle this role and what direction the SADC organ will take under her leadership.