The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), His Excellency Mr Elias M. Magosi paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, the President of the Republic of Botswana, on 04th April 2024.
The courtesy call was aimed at appraising the President on the operations of the Secretariat and the status of implementation of regional programmes, and to present the Annual Report of the Executive Secretary of SADC covering the period, 2022/23.
During the meeting, the SADC Executive Secretary briefed H.E. Dr Masisi on key high-level achievements that the SADC Region is making towards regional integration and Cooperation as articulated in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030). The Executive Secretary also briefed the President on matters of peace and security in the region.
President Dr. Masisi welcomed the SADC Executive Secretary and his delegation to the Office of the President and reiterated that the Government of Botswana, as a host to the SADC Secretariat, was available to render any support required to strengthen the operations of the Secretariat.
H.E. Dr Masisi commended the SADC Executive Secretary for the excellent work he has been doing throughout his tenure and highlighted that the Government of Botswana remained committed to the SADC principles and foundation of fostering peace and security for the region to achieve regional integration and sustainable socio-economic development.
President Dr. Masisi, who was accompanied by Dr Lemogang Kwape, the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation and senior government officials, highlighted that, as the host of the SADC Secretariat, the Government of Botswana wishes to engage more with the organisation and provide the necessary support to make the organisation more effective. The President also reiterated the need for SADC to report on outcomes and impact on the region, and that the region should also learn from its past experiences and work hard to innovate and progress towards the ideals of the Community.
H.E. Magosi is the seventh Executive Secretary of SADC who assumed his position on 1st September 2021, following his appointment at the 41st SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in August 2021.
H.E. Magosi was accompanied by Directors for the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, Prof. Kula. I. Theletsane, Dr Mubita Luwabelwa for Policy Planning and Resource Mobilisation, the Head of Communications and Public Relations Ms Barbara Lopi, and the Executive Assistant to the Executive Secretary Ms Kelejwang Moichubedi from the SADC Secretariat.
