Southern African presidents call for deeper integration as development summit opens in Durban

Heads of state from across southern Africa gathered in Durban on Monday to discuss their countries' common developmental direction, with calls for deeper regional integration and stronger cooperation to advance industrialization and economic development.

The day marked the opening of the 46th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, now ongoing in the coastal South African city. The two-day summit is being held under the theme "Resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialization through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World."

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking from the podium, stressed that members should strive toward the SADC's Vision 2050 goals, which aim to build a prosperous regional community where borders no longer hinder the free movement of people, goods, and services.

"We cannot preach integration at summits and practice exclusion in the streets of our countries. Now, as we work towards Vision 2050, we should seek a region in which people are able to freely move according to established principles, protocols and law," said the president.

Regional experts said SADC leaders must move beyond rhetoric and deliver concrete solutions, or risk a deeper regional crisis.

"It can't just be going and saying, 'Look, you have to understand South Africa's position. We're in a difficult position.' That's true, but there needs to be concrete things, South Africa needs to rebuild those relationships. It needs to think about what are we going to do on health care? What are we going to do about trade? These are regional issues. They can't be resolved in South Africa alone," said Loren Landau, Senior Researcher, African Centre for Migration and Society of Wits University in Johannesburg.

At the summit, Ramaphosa also succeeded Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa as SADC chairperson.

Southern African presidents call for deeper integration as development summit opens in Durban

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday advised the Japanese leadership to focus on its domestic affairs instead of launching "attacks" against Russia.

Lavrov made the remarks when commenting on Tokyo's statements over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Iturup Island (called Etorofu in Japan), one of the Southern Kuril Islands (known as the Northern Territories in Japan).

Lavrov noted that "if Japanese colleagues are now attempting to reshape international law to suit themselves and the United States, their close-knit ally; if they seek to shirk historical responsibility for past misdeeds and are now violating their own Constitution -- the three non-nuclear principles are being eroded, and their military is already seeking to carry out overseas operations, something previously prohibited under the Constitution -- this naturally gives rise to serious concern."

He added that "if they hope to divert attention from this plainly aggressive militaristic course by launching such, excuse my blunt choice of words, rhetorical broadsides against Russia and accusing us of violating international law, I would advise them to mind their own business. They have plenty of such problems at home."

Putin paid his first-ever visit to the disputed island on Aug. 13. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi "strongly protested" the visit at a press conference.

The Russian Foreign Ministry had summoned Japanese Ambassador to Russia Akira Muto, but the ambassador did not confirm his appearance at the ministry citing personal health reasons.

In the wake of Lavrov's remarks, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova disclosed that Muto had "suddenly felt much better" and will go to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

Russian FM slams Japan for seeking to cover up its own military moves by lashing out at Russia