The Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairperson, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has expressed confidence that the ongoing dialogue facilitated by the Eastern African Community (EAC) and SADC will bring sustainable peace and stability to eastern DR Congo. Mnangawa told heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to Zimbabwe at a belated New Year reception at State House in Harare on Friday that dialogue is the panacea to a lasting solution to the problems besetting eastern DR Congo. “We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities as well as the pursuit of dialogue as a panacea for sustainable peace and stability in the region,” Mnangagwa told diplomats. He said Zimbabwe stood open for progressive dialogue with all nations. SADC terminated its mission in DR Congo to purse the option of dialogue in unison with the EAC and supported the African Union. This was after the South African-led SADC forces surrendered after failing to stop the Alliance fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) rebels from seizing key territory in eastern DR Congo. The SADC troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi, were part of the Congolese army coalition that also comprised hundreds of European mercenaries, Rwandan genocidal militias known as FDLR, Congolese ethnic militias called Wazalendo, Burundian armed forces, as well as UN peacekeepers. FDLR is a DR Congo-based terrorist militia founded by remnants of the masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Its plan is to return to Rwanda, forcefully, and continue its genocidal agenda. Following the surrender of SADC troops in January, an agreement for their withdrawal was reached on Friday, March 28, during a meeting that held between SADC and the AFC/M23 in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province which the rebrls seized on January 27. The meeting ended up with a deal that ensures the cessation of hostilities, a ceasefire, and the withdrawal of SADC troops. Mnagagwa told diplomats accredited to Harare that tackling a myriad of pressing global challenges and resolving conflicts amicably needs fostering a culture of constructive dialogue on the international stage. Zimbabwe, he said, continued to position itself as a friend to all and enemy to none, guided by the foreign policy of engagement and re-engagement. “My Government’s foreign policy thrust of engagement and re-engagement has seen responsive policies which harness opportunities and manage divergence. Undoubtedly, the ongoing engagements have opened new frontiers of cooperation and partnerships,” Mnanagwa said. “Together, let us do more as we entrench a culture of dialogue in our international relations cooperation frameworks. We are open for business, and your nationals are welcome to pursue investments in our mining sector. Further, leveraging our strategic central location in the southern region, we are determined to work with our neighbours and investors to expand and modernise the North-South Corridor to enhance global supply chains and logistics.” Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was committed to the protection of multilateralism and upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter, while rallying for support in its bid for a non-permanent United Nations Security Council seat. “The principles of equality and respect for each other’s interests should always guide us in our interactions. There are no big or small nations,” he said. The Dean of the diplomatic corps, Rwanda's envoy to Zimbabwe, Amb. James Musoni, said they would continue rallying behind President Mnangagwa. Musoni congratulated Mnangagwa on Zimbabwe’s assumption of the SADC chair saying: “Your Excellency, we take this opportunity to extend our warmest congratulations to you and the people of Zimbabwe in general for assumption of the Chairmanship of SADC. This esteemed position is a recognition of Zimbabwe’s unwavering commitment to regional integration, economic growth, and sustainable development. Under Zimbabwe’s leadership, we are confident that SADC will continue advancing its objectives of economic prosperity, peace, and security for all member states.” The Dean of the diplomatic corps congratulated Zimbabwe’s former sports minister for being elected as the president of the International Olympic Committee. “We would like to congratulate you once again Your Excellency for the election of Honourable Kirsty Coventry as the first female president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), this is Zimbabwe's testament to multilateralism and international engagement. This victory will not only uphold high the flag of Zimbabwe but also that of Africa in general,” Musoni said.
