Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIA is hosting the 27th Meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Opening today in Dar es Salaam, it will start with the Senior Officials Meeting, which will run until tomorrow and will be chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Samwel Shelukindo.
It will then be followed by the high-level meeting, scheduled for this Thursday and Friday, bringing together Ministers and Senior Officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Home Affairs and Public Security from all 16 SADC member states.
The 27th MCO will be chaired by Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahamoud Thabit Kombo.
Delegates will deliberate on regional peace, political stability and security challenges, assess progress and outline strategic actions to address current threats.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, in an official statement released yesterday, noted that the meeting will also examine measures to enhance conflict prevention, management and resolution systems.
These include strengthening the Early Warning System, which monitors political, security and socio-economic threats across the region.
Held annually, the MCO meeting is one of SADC’s key decision-making bodies on political, defence and security matters.
This year’s gathering is particularly significant, as Tanzania currently holds the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, a position it assumed during the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government on August 18, 2024.
Upon taking over the role, President Samia Suluhu Hassan was appointed Chairperson of the Organ for a one-year term, set to conclude in August this year.
During her tenure, Tanzania has taken a leading role in promoting regional peace and political cooperation, in line with the SADC Treaty and Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (2001).
Under Tanzania’s leadership, four SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOMs) were deployed between October and November 2024 to Mozambique, Botswana, Mauritius and Namibia.
These missions, led by Tanzanian dignitaries appointed by President Samia, underscored the country’s dedication to peaceful democratic processes and regional stability.
During this period, Tanzania successfully hosted and coordinated several high-level strategic meetings, including five Extraordinary Organ Troika Summits between November 2024 and March 2025, focusing on peace and security in the region.
On February 8, 2025, Tanzania hosted a historic Joint Summit of the East African Community (EAC) and SADC Heads of State and Government in Dar es Salaam, aimed at addressing the security situation and peace restoration efforts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Ministry’s statement also highlighted the broader significance of hosting the MCO meeting: “Beyond enhancing regional cooperation and reinforcing Tanzania’s leadership in peace, security and governance, the MCO meeting presents a strategic opportunity to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, world-renowned attractions and hospitality industry.”
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