Tanzania invites SADC observers
MADAGASCAR: VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr Philip Mpango has extended an invitation to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM) to deploy a team of observers ahead of the General Election scheduled for 29 October 2025.
The Vice-President affirmed that preparations are already in place to ensure the election is conducted in a free and fair manner.
Dr Mpango extended the invitation yesterday while officiating at the ongoing SADC Organ Troika Summit of Heads of State and Government, taking place at the Ivato International Conference Centre in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The VP is representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the summit.
He noted that over the past year, Tanzania has achieved significant milestones during its chairmanship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
During President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s one-year term as Chair of the SADC Organ Troika, the region made notable progress in promoting democracy and good governance.
Dr Mpango explained that Tanzania successfully organised and led four SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOM) to member states holding elections, namely Mozambique, Botswana, Mauritius and Namibia.
“The elections were conducted peacefully and in full compliance with SADC regulations and guidelines governing democratic processes. I would like to acknowledge the SADC Organ Troika members for their invaluable support in leading these successful missions,” said Dr Mpango.
He further discussed ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), highlighting the unification of the Luanda Peace Process and the Nairobi Peace Process into a single initiative through joint meetings between SADC and the East African Community (EAC), a historic first since SADC’s establishment.
Dr Mpango emphasised the importance of resolving emerging conflicts in Africa through African-led solutions, stressing that this requires genuine commitment and dedication from all involved countries.
He also highlighted that tackling security challenges, particularly terrorism, is essential to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
The VP also stressed on the need to strengthen the Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre (RCTC), which was established to manage all terrorism-related issues, including training and information sharing.
Despite the progress made, Dr Mpango acknowledged that SADC still faces security challenges that hinder efforts to create a peaceful and stable region.
“Issues such as human trafficking, terrorism, corruption, internal conflicts and the illegal smuggling of weapons continue to affect certain areas, highlighting the need for a unified and coordinated response,” he said.
He stressed that peace and security are essential for achieving the region’s current cooperation agenda. Dr Mpango said that Tanzania has already fulfilled its obligations and made significant progress in advancing the region’s collective goals.
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He reaffirmed Tanzania’s strong commitment to working closely with the incoming Chair of the Organ Troika, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, along with other member states to ensure the effective implementation of agreed-upon activities and decisions aimed at strengthening peace and security across the SADC region.
For his part, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmaoud Thabit Kombo said Tanzania has received numerous accolades from SADC member states for President Samia’s one-year leadership in the SADC Organ.
