OUTGOING
Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairperson and Botswana
President Seretse Khama Ian Khama has toasted President John Magufuli
for his victory in last year’s general election.
Mr Khama is in
Swaziland for the 36th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government that
kicked off yesterday in Mbabane, Swaziland.
The summit ends
today and President Khama, who is the current SADC chairperson, is
expected to pass the baton to King Mswati III of Swaziland. President
Magufuli was represented at the summit by the Vice-President, Ms Samia
Suluhu Hassan.
The Botswana
president said growth of democracy to SADC member states was increasing
at high speed and that it was important to boost those efforts.
President Khama
said he had much trust in leaders within the SADC grouping such as Dr
Magufuli of Tanzania, who were elected through transparent and peaceful
means that would help foster development in the regional bloc.
Heads of States
from SADC witnessed during the meeting presentation of awards to
students who won essay writing competition as well as journalists who
were recognized for their news and feature stories on various issues in
the bloc.
The leaders at
the 36th meeting are today expected to elect the Chairperson and Deputy
Chairperson in addition to the Chair for the SADC Organ on Defense,
Security and Politics (SADCTroika).
They are also scheduled to receive drafts on amendments of a number of conventions to be presented by the Ministerial Council