Zimbabwe will host an Extraordinary Summit of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government in Harare next week.
The summit, scheduled for November 16-20, 2024, will be chaired by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who currently holds the position of SADC chairperson. The meeting will focus on regional political developments, including recent elections in Mozambique and Botswana, as well as upcoming elections in Namibia.
At a post-cabinet briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere announced the summit and its agenda, stating:
“The nation is informed that an Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government will take place in Harare from November 16th to 20th, 2024, to address pressing regional issues.”
The summit is expected to receive updates on the political situation in Mozambique, where violence erupted following the disputed October 9 elections. The FRELIMO party, led by Daniel Chapo, was declared the victor, but the outcome has sparked significant unrest. Lawyer Elvino Dias, who represented opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane, was shot dead in Maputo, along with another opposition figure, Paulo Guambe. Mondlane, who claims to have narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, has since fled to South Africa.
Human Rights Watch reports that at least 11 people have been killed by security forces during protests against the election results, with 50 others suffering serious injuries. Protests continue in various regions of Mozambique, and tensions remain high throughout the country.
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