A man walks on a main road in Harare in August 2023. Zimbabwe is hosting the 44th ordinary SADC summit in Harare next month. (JOHN WESSELS / AFP)
- Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to take up the rotational annual chairpersonship of SADC at a meeting in Harare next month.
- Preparations have included villas for delegates, planting trees, and rounding up potential troublemakers.
- The Zimbabwean government has spent over R3.8 billion giving Harare a facelift in preparation for the two-day event.
Zimbabwe is gearing up for the 44th ordinary SADC summit of heads of state and government with new roads, villas, luxury coaches, and a call for a demonstration-free week. President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to assume leadership of the regional bloc from Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema. The event presents a significant image-building opportunity for the government, showcased by extensive preparations costing billions. Despite criticisms of misplaced priorities, the summit signifies a major milestone for Zimbabwe’s leadership and international relations. However, concerns about political suppression and human rights violations persist, with opposition activists facing arrests and crackdowns ahead of the summit. As the country invests in infrastructure improvements and elite accommodations, questions remain about the government’s commitment to addressing pressing social issues and prioritizing the welfare of its citizens.