SOUTH AFRICA — President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the strengthening of SADC institutions to drive meaningful regional integration and improve living standards across Southern Africa. Speaking at the Virtual Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government on Wednesday, the South African President emphasized that the bloc’s future relies on translating high-level commitments into actionable, measurable programs.
Strengthening Institutional Leadership and Integration
The virtual meeting, convened just two months after the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit held in Durban this past August, focused primarily on resolving critical leadership and institutional vacancies. Key agenda items included appointing the Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration and electing the new Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
Ramaphosa noted that these leadership roles are vital for executing the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020–2030 and the region’s long-term Vision 2050. He stressed that true regional integration must yield real-world benefits for citizens, including job creation, improved transport and energy grids, enhanced food security, and expanded trade.
“Regional integration should be more than a mere aspiration expressed in declarations. It must become a reality for the people living in Southern Africa,” Ramaphosa stated, calling for an organization that moves with greater urgency from strategies to tangible programs.
Prioritizing Peace, Security, and Stability
The election of the incoming Chairperson for the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation was highlighted as equally crucial, as political stability and security form the bedrock of the region’s economic prosperity.
Addressing ongoing humanitarian crises, the President pointed to the persistent instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He reaffirmed the region’s commitment to supporting the African Union and international partners to end the conflict and foster lasting peace.
Additionally, Ramaphosa advocated for inclusive dialogue, institutional reform, and a return to constitutional normality in Madagascar. He also recognized Mozambique’s ongoing efforts to promote development and combat terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
“These examples show that peace does not come easily. Peace must be nurtured, institutions must be strengthened, and the legitimate aspirations of our people must be addressed,” he remarked, underscoring the necessity of upholding democratic governance and the rule of law.
Tackling Climate Resilience and Disaster Preparedness
Shifting to environmental challenges, the President warned that climate-related disasters—such as severe droughts, floods, and tropical cyclones—pose a growing threat to the region’s economy, shared infrastructure, and food supplies.
He pointed to the devastating El Niño-induced drought of 2023 and 2024, which exposed the region’s vulnerability and left millions facing food and water insecurity. With new El Niño conditions looming for the upcoming agricultural season, Ramaphosa called for enhanced early warning systems, stronger disaster response capabilities, and increased investments in climate-resilient infrastructure to prevent the reversal of hard-won development gains.
During his address, Ramaphosa congratulated Mozambique’s President Daniel Francisco Chapo for successfully hosting the International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Africa in Maputo from October 13 to 15, 2026. President Chapo, who was selected by the African Union as its Champion for Disaster Risk Management, utilized the platform to mobilize investment and foster a proactive approach to risk management.
Ramaphosa urged SADC member states to build upon the Maputo conference’s outcomes by enhancing cooperation in water management, agricultural resilience, and disaster financing. “It requires us to recognise that our security is not only political and military. It is economic, environmental and human,” he noted.
Delivering Tangible Results for Citizens
Concluding his address, Ramaphosa reiterated that the shared challenges facing Southern Africa demand capable, effective institutions that can provide practical solutions. He called on member states to preserve the solidarity, consensus, and mutual respect that have historically characterized the organization.
Ultimately, the President asserted that the true metric for SADC’s success is not the volume of resolutions adopted, but the tangible progress made in elevating the daily lives of the region’s citizens. He expressed confidence that the summit’s decisions would strengthen the organization and serve the best interests of the Southern African people.
