Africa-Press – Zambia. The city of Durban, located on the eastern coast of South Africa, will host the regular summit of heads of state and government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Monday, August 17, amid increasing regional challenges, primarily concerning migration and tensions related to xenophobia, alongside political and security developments in several countries in the region.
South Africa is currently holding the presidency of SADC this year, having temporarily led the organization since the end of 2025, following Madagascar’s withdrawal.
Leaders of the 16 member states are scheduled to meet in Durban to discuss various issues affecting the region and pathways for cooperation among its countries. Migration is expected to be a prominent topic at the summit, given the rising tensions surrounding irregular migrants in South Africa, following anti-migration protests that occurred in June and subsequent mass deportations.
Xenophobia has become one of the key issues on the agenda, especially since several citizens from SADC member countries, including Zimbabwe, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have been targeted during protests in South Africa.
The South African president addressed the issue directly during a press conference held on August 14, prior to the summit in Durban, expressing concern over the discrimination and mistreatment faced by citizens of other countries in recent months.
He urged member state leaders to continue working together to build a region where people migrate by choice, not out of despair.
Discussions regarding migration had already begun the previous week during a cabinet meeting in preparation for the summit, amid efforts to address the increasing tensions between local communities and migrants from the region.
The summit is also expected to address the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the Ebola outbreak continues, posing health and security challenges for neighboring countries.
This issue arises at a time when eastern Congo faces complex security and humanitarian conditions, making developments there significant for SADC countries, particularly given the cross-border impacts that security and health crises can impose.
Leaders of SADC are also expected to monitor the transitional developments in Madagascar, which has withdrawn from the leadership of the organization, before South Africa temporarily assumes the presidency at the end of 2025.
The political situation in Madagascar is one of the issues of interest for the regional organization, as it follows political developments within member states and aims to enhance stability in the region.
Among the political issues on the agenda are also the electoral developments in Zambia, where SADC is closely monitoring the results announcement process.
The electoral commission continues to release figures and results from constituency to constituency, while observers from the SADC mission have previously expressed concerns regarding certain aspects of the electoral process.
These developments come at a time when SADC seeks to strengthen its role in monitoring political and electoral processes within member states, alongside addressing security, economic, and social issues that require regional coordination among member countries.
The Durban summit is expected to set the priorities for the organization during South Africa’s presidency, amid the multitude of issues facing the southern African region, ranging from migration and xenophobia to security and health crises, as well as political and electoral transformations in several member states.
