By Chisomo Phiri
The Malawi government has called on Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to achieve lasting peace and security in the region.
Speaking at the ninth African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Conference in Morocco on Friday,Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Patricia Nangozo Kainga emphasized that political will is crucial for crafting durable, home-grown solutions to Africa’s complex challenges.
Kainga highlighted the need for inclusive and comprehensive Early Warning and Early Response mechanisms.
She cited Malawi’s experience with devastating tropical cyclones, which not only caused local destruction but also impacted food security in neighboring countries.
The deputy minister also advocated for enhanced security integration within the SADC region, empowerment of local peacebuilders, and a sustainable financial mechanism to support response strategies.
Africa, home to approximately 1.1 billion people, continues to face complex challenges, including violent extremism, transnational crime, governance-related tensions, and climate-induced insecurity.
The SADC region developed the APSA framework to address these multifaceted issues.
