Among the delegation that wished farewell wishes to the head of state – who in August 2023 assumed the role of rotating president of the organization –, at the airport, was Francisco Furtado, minister of state and head of the Military House of the President of the Republic, as well as other members of the Executive, says Angop.
According to a video released on CIPRA, which VerAngola had access to, this is the "first visit by President João Lourenço, as acting president of SADC, to the facilities where the organization's permanent staff maintain offices".
During his working day in the capital of Botswana, João Lourenço "will unveil a plaque to symbolize the fact that he is visiting the headquarters of the organization he presides for the first time".
In addition, the head of state will also "tour emblematic areas of the building", as well as maintain contacts with the executive secretary and ambassadors of member countries accredited to SADC.
"The highlight of the visit will certainly be the words that the acting president of SADC, in a formal speech, will address to the organization's staff", says the CIPRA video.
The head of state's agenda, according to Angop, also includes a meeting with Mokgweetsi Masisi, president of Botswana, which will serve to discuss matters linked to bilateral cooperation.
It should be noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, is part of the President of the Republic's delegation on this mission.
Téte António arrived in Gaborone this Thursday night. According to a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to which VerAngola had access, Téte António, upon his arrival, was received by Masego Mogodu, director of Regional Integration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Botswana and by Beatriz Morais, Ambassador of Angola to the Botswana.
After that, Téte António "met with the Angolan multisectoral delegation in Gaborone to learn about the program of the working visit" by João Lourenço to the SADC headquarters, in his capacity as acting president of the organization.
In statements to the press, cited by Angop, the Minister of Foreign Affairs recognized the attention that has been given by the President of the Republic to regional integration, as well as to all matters related to the life of SADC.
Regarding the working day's agenda, he pointed out João Lourenço's meeting with the executive secretariat and employees of the organization as one of the highlights. This meeting will serve to inform the acting president of how SADC works, as well as to make known what is being done regarding the implementation of the organization's decisions on the Regional Integration Indicative Program, with emphasis on investment matters necessary for regional infrastructures.
Furthermore, the meeting will also allow the President to leave guidelines to the secretariat regarding specific actions that should be taken, considering the actions adopted by Angola, which held extraordinary summits to address issues such as cholera at a regional level and the consequences of the El Ninõ phenomenon, writes Angop.
According to Téte António, regional peace and security will be another topic to be addressed, with emphasis on Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to Angop, it is customary for the organization's acting presidents to visit SADC headquarters during their term of office to find out about the work that has been done by the secretariat.
