Assessing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) requires evaluating his leadership in advancing the bloc’s objectives, particularly in fostering regional integration, economic development, peace, and security. His term, which began in August 2024, has been marked by significant regional challenges, including conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique, energy poverty, and climate-related issues. Below is an analysis of his tenure, considering both achievements and shortcomings, while critically examining the establishment narrative.
Achievements
- Focus on Peace and Security in the DRC
Mnangagwa has prioritized addressing the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, a major security crisis in the region. He has chaired multiple extraordinary summits, including the virtual summit on March 13, 2025, to discuss the deteriorating security situation. His leadership has emphasized dialogue, calling for adherence to ceasefire agreements like the Luanda Process and condemning attacks on SADC peacekeeping missions, such as those by the M23 rebel group. SADC, under his chairmanship, has also collaborated with the East African Community (EAC) to push for peace, as seen in joint summits like the one held in Dar es Salaam in February 2025. These efforts demonstrate a proactive stance on regional stability, though tangible progress in resolving the DRC conflict remains limited. - Response to Post-Election Violence in Mozambique
Mnangagwa’s tenure has seen SADC respond to post-election violence in Mozambique following the October 2024 elections, where the ruling Frelimo party’s victory was contested. He has called for dialogue and respect for judicial rulings, such as the Constitutional Council’s decision, to restore stability. SADC’s readiness to assist Mozambique in consolidating democracy, as expressed by Mnangagwa, reflects an attempt to uphold the bloc’s principles of peaceful dispute resolution, even if the effectiveness of these interventions is still unfolding. - Infrastructure and Security Enhancements
Mnangagwa has overseen significant steps to strengthen SADC’s operational capacity. A notable achievement is the groundbreaking ceremony for the SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot in Botswana in December 2024, aimed at improving the bloc’s ability to respond swiftly to crises. This addresses past failures, such as delays in deploying forces during the 2021 Mozambique insurgency, and signals a long-term commitment to regional security, though funding challenges remain, with only $15 million of the required $45 million secured. - Energy Transition and Regional Development
Under Mnangagwa’s leadership, SADC has pushed for a just transition to sustainable renewable energy, addressing energy poverty, particularly in rural areas. A summit in February 2025 saw over 500 participants from SADC member states discuss accelerating this transition, highlighting Mnangagwa’s role in advancing regional development agendas. This aligns with SADC’s broader goals of economic integration and sustainable development, though implementation challenges persist. - Symbolic and Diplomatic Engagement
Mnangagwa’s chairmanship has been symbolically bolstered by gestures such as the dedication of the Africa’s Hall of Faith at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, recognizing his leadership and that of other SADC leaders. While symbolic, this reflects efforts to elevate SADC’s international profile and foster unity, though it has little direct bearing on policy outcomes.
Shortcomings
- Limited Progress in Resolving DRC Conflict
Despite Mnangagwa’s focus on the DRC, the security situation has continued to deteriorate, with ongoing attacks on peacekeeping missions and violations of ceasefires. The establishment narrative, as reflected in SADC communiqués, emphasizes dialogue and peace processes, but critics argue that Mnangagwa’s leadership has not translated into concrete results. The complexity of the DRC conflict, involving external actors like Rwanda (accused of backing M23) and internal governance issues, may limit SADC’s effectiveness, but Mnangagwa’s tenure has yet to demonstrate decisive action or innovative strategies beyond convening summits. - Challenges in Mozambique
While Mnangagwa has called for dialogue in Mozambique, the post-election violence, which has claimed over 100 lives according to human rights organizations, highlights the limitations of SADC’s influence under his leadership. The bloc’s response has been criticized as reactive rather than preventive, and Mnangagwa’s reliance on judicial rulings to resolve political disputes may not address underlying grievances, potentially undermining long-term stability. - Funding and Implementation Gaps
The Regional Logistics Depot project, while a significant initiative, underscores funding challenges under Mnangagwa’s tenure, with appeals for international support indicating a lack of self-sufficiency within SADC. Similarly, energy transition goals, though ambitious, face implementation hurdles, particularly in resource mobilization and coordination, raising questions about the effectiveness of Mnangagwa’s policy direction. - Perception and Legitimacy Concerns
Mnangagwa’s domestic record, including criticisms of his government’s handling of elections and human rights in Zimbabwe, may undermine his credibility as a regional leader. Some regional analysts, as reflected in posts found on X, question whether his SADC chairmanship is more about personal legacy-building than genuine regional progress. This perception could weaken his ability to unify member states or push for bold reforms, though such sentiments are inconclusive without broader evidence. - Regional Challenges Beyond His Control
Mnangagwa’s tenure has coincided with broader regional challenges, such as drought, climate change (??), and geopolitical tensions, including the impact of external actors like the incoming Donald Trump administration. While these issues are largely beyond his control, his leadership has not yet demonstrated a clear strategy to navigate them, potentially limiting SADC’s overall effectiveness during his term.
Critical Examination of the Establishment Narrative
The establishment narrative, as presented in SADC communiqués and state-aligned media, portrays Mnangagwa’s chairmanship as proactive and committed to regional stability, development, and integration. However, this narrative often downplays the lack of tangible outcomes, particularly in conflict resolution, and may overstate symbolic achievements, such as the Bethlehem dedication, to bolster his image. A critical perspective highlights that while Mnangagwa has maintained SADC’s diplomatic momentum, his tenure has not yet overcome systemic challenges, such as funding shortages, member state divisions, and external influences in conflicts like the DRC. Furthermore, the narrative’s focus on dialogue and legal processes in Mozambique may obscure the need for deeper structural reforms to address political instability.
Conclusion: Success or Failure?
Mnangagwa’s tenure as SADC Chairperson cannot be definitively labeled as a success or failure, as it is ongoing and outcomes are still unfolding. He has achieved some successes, particularly in maintaining diplomatic engagement, initiating infrastructure projects, and addressing energy poverty, but these are tempered by significant shortcomings, especially in resolving regional conflicts and securing adequate resources. His leadership has been proactive in convening summits and setting policy directions, but the effectiveness of these efforts remains limited by implementation challenges and external factors. A balanced assessment suggests that while Mnangagwa has kept SADC active on critical issues, his tenure has not yet delivered transformative results, particularly in peace and security, which are central to SADC’s mandate. Posts found on X praising his leadership should be treated as inconclusive, as they may reflect partisan sentiment rather than objective analysis.
Ultimately, the success of his chairmanship will depend on whether ongoing initiatives, such as the DRC peace process and the logistics depot, yield concrete results before his term ends in August 2025, when he is set to hand over to Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina.
Additional Concens Stemming from Bias
Critical Examination of the Narrative
The establishment narrative, as presented by SADC and state-aligned media, portrays Mnangagwa’s actions as consistent with regional protocols, emphasizing respect for national sovereignty and legal processes. However, this narrative often downplays credible allegations of electoral irregularities and violence, as seen in both Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Critics argue that Mnangagwa’s leadership, both domestically and regionally, reflects a pattern of supporting ruling parties, potentially to maintain alliances within SADC and bolster his own legitimacy, given his controversial rise to power in Zimbabwe via a 2017 coup and subsequent disputed elections.
The claim that Mnangagwa falsely claimed victory for ruling regimes, particularly in Mozambique, appears to stem from perceptions of bias rather than documented instances of premature declarations. Posts found on X and other platforms have fueled such sentiments, but these lack corroboration from official sources. A critical perspective suggests that while Mnangagwa may not have explicitly falsified claims, his swift endorsements of judicial rulings in disputed elections, as in Mozambique, could be interpreted as tacit support for ruling regimes, raising concerns about his commitment to democratic principles over political expediency.
Domestic Context and Regional Influence
Mnangagwa’s domestic record further complicates perceptions of his regional role. In Zimbabwe, he has been accused of undermining democratic space, with reports of opposition crackdowns, abductions, and human rights abuses, as documented by organizations like Amnesty International and the U.S. Treasury, which sanctioned him in March 2024 for corruption and serious human rights violations. These actions have led to skepticism about his motives as SADC Chairperson, with some analysts suggesting that his leadership may prioritize protecting incumbent regimes, especially those with historical ties to liberation movements, like Frelimo in Mozambique and ZANU-PF in Zimbabwe, over fostering genuine democratic transitions.
