SADC leaders meet for an emergency meeting of heads of state

Leaders of member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have today met in an informal session to discuss various issues concerning the welfare of their countries, especially health issues.

The Tanzania Prime Minister Hon. Kassim Majaliwa has represented the President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan at an emergency meeting of member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held online.

The meeting opened by the President of Angola, Joao Manuel Lourenco, who is the Chairman of the Association, had only one agenda to discuss the outbreak of cholera in the SADC region.

Speaking from his office in Mlimwa, in the city of Dodoma today (Friday, February 02, 2024), Prime Minister Majaliwa has said that Tanzania recommends that it is good for the SADC region to take integrated measures by involving all cross sectors including the water sector and urban planning to bring about a permanent solution to deal with cholera and other epidemic diseases.

"This is based on the fact that society as a whole and every citizen has the responsibility to take precautions by ensuring that he observes the rules of hygiene (WASH) for personal benefit, society and the entire region."

"We advise that a lot of energy be directed to improving the systems and access to clean and safe water in our communities in order to have positive results in controlling this outbreak."

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa representing the President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan at the meeting through the Internet, accompanied by other government officials

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Health, Ummy Mwalimu; The Minister of Water, Jumaa Aweso together with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mbarouk Nassor Mbarouk.

Earlier, opening the meeting, the SADC Chairman, President Lourenco emphasized the importance of member countries to strengthen communication between their experts to help each other control the spread of the disease, especially in border areas.

In addition, he emphasized that the leaders of member countries should prioritize new technology and research to deal with epidemics. "We must ensure our health systems can face these challenges of epidemics."

The presidents who participated in the meeting are Phillipe Nyusi (Mozambique), Lazarus Chikwera (Malawi), Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Haikande Hichelema (Zambia) Felix Tshisekedi (DRC). Others are representatives of Heads of State from South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Seychelles and Madagascar.