Southern African leaders

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, focused on pressing regional issues including the mpox virus outbreak and conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique. Leaders emphasized the importance of coordinated action to combat the mpox spread, which has recently been declared a global health emergency by the WHO, particularly affecting Congo. However, Zimbabwe's human rights record under President Emmerson Mnangagwa has overshadowed the summit, with the UN calling for the release of detained activists and condemning alleged human rights violations. Activists have faced enforced disappearances and torture, raising concerns about political crackdowns. Despite these issues, there is skepticism that regional leaders will address Zimbabwe's human rights situation during the summit. Calls for a ceasefire in the DRC were also highlighted by civil society groups urging SADC leaders to take action for peace.