INTERNATIONAL relations experts cited poor planning and regional leaders' lack of confidence in Harare as key reasons why 12 out of 16 leaders snubbed the Sadc extraordinary summit convened by bloc chairman President Emmerson Mnangagwa this week.
It was one of Mnangagwa’s first major assignments since taking over as chairman in August.
But so peculiar was the emergency meeting that only four heads of state attended, with the rest represented in various capacities.
The attendance surprised many observers, including leading academic and political analyst Ibbo Mandaza, who described it as "unusual".
“For a purported extraordinary and would-be emergency meeting, it is highly unusual that there should be such a poor attendance of heads of state,” Mandaza told the Zimbabwe Independent.
The summit was expected to dwell on widespread discontentment in Mozambique, following disputed polls last month, but instead, delved on an equally important conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa prioritised the G20 summit in Brazil.
He was represented by his deputy Paul Mashatile. But without Ramaphosa – head of the region’s most powerful state - the bloc’s decisions generally won’t carry weight, according Stephen Chan, a World Politics professor at the University of London.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, chairperson of the Sadc Troika, sent Zanzibar leader Hussein Mwinyi.
Also conspicuous by his absence was Zambian leader Hakainde Hichilema, who missed the August summit, where Mnangagwa assumed the bloc’s leadership.
In the aftermath of Zimbabwe’s disputed 2023 elections; Harare and Lusaka have had an uneasy relationship. Sadc’s observer mission team, which was led by former Zambian deputy president Nevers Mumba, discredited the polls.
Heads of State who attended included outgoing Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, newly-elected Botswana President Duma Boko, Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina, and the DRC’s Felix Tshisekedi.
Walter Mzembi, who was briefly Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs minister before the 2017 coup, said: “The first shortcoming before we speculate on the outcome, which is obviously below the quorum of a normal extraordinary summit, is the planning.”
“When planning for an extraordinary summit, one would obviously quickly do a check with the region on the availability of the people that they intend to invite. I think there is an element of being presumptuous that once an extraordinary summit is called, everyone will respond automatically without checking the availability of concerned parties.”
Mzembi said Zimbabwe should have lobbied heads of state to attend.
“It is quite clear that the dates of this summit were also clashing with another major event - the G20 summit.
“Foreign affairs ministers’ meeting constitute the council so in this case, the summit was reduced to a council. Ambassadors slept on their jobs here as they would have quickly advised their government of the unavailability of the invitees.”
Another analyst Reuben Mbofana said the poor attendance showed the regional event was of little significance to its own members.
“The low turnout could be attributed to lack of seriousness on the part of Sadc,” he said.
“As we have already said, Sadc is practically toothless. I am sure there are leaders who understand that these extraordinary meetings yield nothing,” he commented, describing Sadc summits as ‘talk shows’.
Some analysts have argued that nothing of substance comes out of Sadc.
“So, leaders would rather not waste their time. That could be one reason (why the attendance was poor).”
Perceptions about Mnangagwa’s standing in the region also helped explain the absence of leaders, he said.
“It could be the chairman himself. Let us understand something about these positions that are rotational. You are not elected in terms of popularity. It is just your turn. So, if it is your turn, it does not mean your peers have respect for you. It does not mean your peers believe you are competent and capable. Only four leaders attend from a 16-member group.
"That is dismal. It may indicate that fellow heads of state have no confidence in Mnangagwa’s leadership.”
Mnangagwa has been at the centre of controversy over Mozambique’s civil unrest after he prematurely congratulated Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo before results were announced.
The unfolding disturbances in Mozambique pitting the army and civilians were triggered after the announcement that Chapo had won the October presidential elections with over 71% of the vote. Chapo’s rival Venâncio Mondlane, who polled 20% of the vote, fled the country in the wake of the civil unrest gripping Mozambique.
At least 30 people have died in the clashes.
The Wednesday summit applauded Mnangagwa for his commitment to peace in the region.
Part of a communique released at the summit reads: “Summit extended its appreciation to His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and chairperson of Sadc for hosting the extraordinary summit and for his commitment towards regional cooperation and attainment of peace, security, and stability in the region”.