Malawi's head of state, Lazarus Chakwera, will today hand over the rotating presidency of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi.

Speaking moments before boarding his flight to DRC at Kamuzu Banda International Airport, Lazarus Chakwera said he had contributed to regional integration, economic growth and stability during his presidential term in SADC.

The Malawian head of state and acting chairperson for SADC, explained that during his tenure, he was committed to supporting the implementation of a regional industry protocol, to strengthen the economies of the member states, without relying exclusively on the export of raw resources.

On the same occasion, Malawian Foreign Minister Nancy Tembo highlighted the president's key role in promoting peace and stability in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, which has been the target of terrorist attacks.

In DRC Chakwera will attend the 42nd SADC Summit. Among the main agenda items is the "appreciation and consideration" of the comprehensive report of the SADC Military Mission (SAMIM), which has been supporting the Mozambican forces in the fight against rebels in the north of the country, as well as the terms of its stay in the country.

Last month, SADC decided to provisionally extend its military mission in Cabo Delgado beyond July 15.

Another issue to be addressed is Angola's mediation of the tension between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has grown exponentially in recent months after the resumption, in March, of fighting between the army and the rebel movement March 23 (M23), which, according to Kinshasa, is supported by the neighboring country, a charge denied by Kigali.