MBABANE — The Kingdom of Eswatini has commenced a government wide induction programme to prepare national institutions for the country’s responsibilities as Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Honourable Senator Pholile Shakantu, met with a delegation from the SADC Secretariat as the induction programme got underway.
The SADC delegation was led by Professor Ishmael Kula Theletsane, Director of the Organ, and included Ms Barbara Lopi, Head of the Public Relations Unit, and Mr Terry Rose, Senior Officer responsible for Politics and Diplomacy.
The engagement provided an opportunity to review the responsibilities that come with Eswatini’s chairship and to establish the framework for the induction programme, which is being held from 8 to 10 September 2026.
The programme brings together ministries, departments and institutions whose mandates are central to the country’s role in advancing regional peace, security and democratic stability.
These include institutions responsible for foreign affairs, defence, state security, public security, policing, immigration, corrections, anti corruption, refugees, parks and wildlife, counter terrorism, as well as Women, Peace and Security.
Speaking on Eswatini’s assumption of the responsibility, Honourable Shakantu said the country accepted the role with a strong sense of responsibility towards the SADC region.
“The Kingdom of Eswatini accepts this responsibility with humility and a clear appreciation of the confidence placed in His Majesty King Mswati III and the Government by the SADC region. Our Chairship must be approached as a coordinated national undertaking. Every participating institution must understand its responsibilities, maintain the required level of readiness and contribute effectively to the peace, security and democratic stability of our region.”
Throughout the induction programme, government institutions are engaging with SADC experts on the mandate and working methods of the Organ.
The sessions are also covering the preparation and conduct of regional meetings, implementation of SADC decisions, management of sensitive information and the logistical and communication standards required from the Chair.
During its tenure, Eswatini will chair and host meetings involving the Organ’s political, diplomatic and security structures.
These include meetings of the Organ Troika, the Ministerial Committee of the Organ, the Inter State Politics and Diplomacy Committee and the Inter State Defence and Security Committee.
Prince Sicalo to chair SADC Organ Troika Senior Officials
His Royal Highness Prince Sicalo, who serves as Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, will take over the Chairmanship of the Organ Troika Senior Officials for the 2026/2027 tenure.
In his capacity as Principal Secretary, His Royal Highness provides senior administrative leadership within a ministry central to the work of the Organ and supports policy coordination and implementation in the defence and security sector.
His role places him at the centre of the technical and policy coordination supporting the Organ’s work during Eswatini’s tenure.
As Chair of the Organ Troika Senior Officials, His Royal Highness will guide deliberations among Senior Officials, facilitate the consolidation of national and regional inputs and help ensure that matters requiring political direction are properly prepared for consideration by Ministers and, ultimately, the Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The role calls for disciplined agenda management, close engagement with the SADC Secretariat and fellow Troika Member States, as well as sustained coordination among Eswatini’s institutions responsible for politics, defence, public and state security.
Through this leadership, Eswatini will support continuity in the Organ’s programme and timely regional responses to peace and security priorities.
The country will also work with relevant defence, state security, public security and Police and SARPCCO structures.
The chairship will involve a broad range of regional responsibilities, including migration and immigration, refugees, corrections and prisons, anti corruption, parks and wildlife, counter terrorism cooperation, conflict prevention, mediation, electoral observation and the advancement of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Eswatini will also undertake important operational responsibilities during its tenure.
In 2027, the Kingdom is expected to lead the SADC Electoral Observation Mission to the Republic of Angola during that country’s general elections.
Eswatini will also head the SADC Liaison Office expected to be established in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The office will support SADC’s engagement in Madagascar and facilitate coordination between the authorities of Madagascar, the SADC Secretariat and the Chairperson of the Organ.
Honourable Shakantu said the responsibilities attached to the chairship required continued vigilance, effective coordination and active regional diplomacy.
“These responsibilities demonstrate that the Chairship is not ceremonial,” Honourable Shakantu said. “It requires vigilance, sound diplomacy, institutional coordination and the ability to respond promptly to developments affecting peace, constitutional order and security within our region.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, through the Organ National Contact Point, will serve as the central coordination link between the Government of Eswatini and the SADC Secretariat.
All participating institutions are expected to designate appropriately empowered focal persons, prepare coordinated national positions, identify capacity and resource requirements and ensure that regional decisions are followed through to implementation.
“The success of Eswatini’s Chairship will ultimately be measured by the quality of our leadership, the discipline of our coordination and the contribution we make towards a more peaceful, secure and stable Southern African region,” concluded Honourable Shakantu.
