President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia’s decision to skip the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Harare spoiled President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ascension to the helm of the regional bloc.
The summit, which Zimbabwe had been touting as a regional endorsement following last year’s disputed elections, was dealt a blow by Hichilema’s absence.
While most SADC leaders were making their way to Harare on Friday, Hichilema chose to attend two events in Mumbwa town and the University of Zambia (UNZA) where he was conferred with an honorary doctorate. He later officiated at this year’s Builile traditional ceremony in Chienge district of Luapala, The Standard has reported.
Hichilema, the outgoing chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, was represented at the Summit by Zambian Foreign Affairs minister Mulambo Haimbe. He addressed the SADC Organ on Politics, Peace and Security virtually as its outgoing chairperson.
His absence was seen by many as a pointed comment against Mnangagwa’s government. Stephen Chan, a professor of world politics, said, “However, there was much offence taken in Zambia, quietly and diplomatically, over Mnangagwa’s opportunistic overture to Putin that the US was militarising in Africa through Zambia — when all that was happening was some basic military liaison that has led to nothing.”
Chan added, “Zambian public opinion was that this was a form of cheap politics on Mnangagwa’s part. Hichilema is showing his public that he shares their sense of grievance, but it is also a message to Mnangagwa that under Hichilema’s presidency Zambia is an open society, but Zimbabwe is not.”
Political analyst Mcdonald Lewanika echoed similar sentiments, saying, “His absence, regardless of reasons given and proxies sent is not a diplomatic, but an overt message of displeasure from Lusaka around how Harare conducts itself, has conducted itself in the past and the egregious human rights infractions it continues to perpetrate in full view of the world, and expecting that world to stay silent.”
“Hichilema has decided not to be part of the charade and his absence speaks louder than words could do,” Lewanika added.
Another political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya said relations between Harare and Lusaka had plunged to an all-time low. “The deliberate absence of Hichilema from Sadc Harare is a bold statement that Sadc should not pay lip service to democratic fraud and electoral shenanigans,” he said. “Zambia has made a statement.”
The SADC election observer mission led by former Zambian vice president Nevers Mumba discredited Zimbabwe’s elections, saying they failed to meet regional standards. Mumba’s explosive report triggered an angry response from Mnangagwa’s administration and Zanu PF.
They hurled fierce attacks against Mumba, claiming that he was advancing the West’s regime change agenda in Zimbabwe and supporting the opposition Citizens Coalition from Change (CCC).
South African opposition leader Mmusi Maimane criticised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for attending the summit, saying, “I salute the presidents who chose to skip the Sadc summit in Zimbabwe hosted by Mnangagwa.”
“Unfortunately President Ramaphosa keeps enabling oppression and death next door while claiming to care about human rights on the global stage,” Maimane posted on X.
“What is worse is that South Africa carries the tab of oppression and dictatorship in Zimbabwe. The first country that Zimbabweans have to run to because of Zanu PF is South Africa. The Zimbabwean crisis in now a local crisis, but instead of standing for the people, instead of fighting for human rights, Cyril Ramaphosa enables the continuing crisis in Zimbabwe.”
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa thanked the regional leaders for standing with Zimbabwe in the face of long-standing western sanctions in his address at the summit.
“May I once again express my sincere appreciation to you all, for your calls for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by our detractors. We strongly condemn the use of sanctions and other coercive measures as a foreign policy tool,” he said.
Sadc executive secretary Elias Magosi raised alarm over the devastating impact of the 2023/24 rainfall season on the region. Magosi said the season has been particularly challenging due to the adverse effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which have wreaked havoc across much of Southern Africa.
