By Adonis Byemelwa
In a significant show of regional collaboration and commitment to peacebuilding, Former President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi participated in the high-level Panel of Designated Facilitators convened jointly by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from 17th to 18th May 2025.
The media release, issued on 16th May 2025 by the Office of the Former President, detailed Dr. Masisi’s engagement at the session, underscoring the importance of the panel’s work in sustaining peace, security, and stability across the continent.
This gathering of seasoned statesmen and regional influencers brought together designated facilitators with deep experience in conflict resolution, mediation, and diplomacy. Their collective aim: to deliberate, consult, and chart pragmatic approaches to resolving the region’s most pressing political and security challenges.
Dr. Masisi’s presence at this panel was not just ceremonial—it was emblematic of his continued dedication to dialogue and diplomacy. Since leaving office, he has remained actively engaged in matters of governance and regional peace processes. His contributions during the panel reflected the wisdom drawn from years at the helm of national leadership, and his ability to contextualize contemporary challenges within broader historical and institutional frameworks.
The discussions over the two-day session were marked by a rich exchange of perspectives. The former president, among other distinguished facilitators, engaged in deep analysis of conflict dynamics in areas of concern within the EAC and SADC regions. These were not abstract talks—they were grounded in real-time scenarios, drawing upon lived experience and historical understanding of the African political landscape.
What set this panel apart was not just the technical depth of discussion, but the atmosphere of mutual respect and a shared determination to find African solutions to African problems. Dr. Masisi, known for his diplomatic composure and reflective engagement, brought a measured tone to the dialogues, advocating for approaches that are context-sensitive and rooted in the socio-political realities of the affected communities.
The Panel of Designated Facilitators serves as a crucial mechanism within both EAC and SADC structures. It embodies the regional bodies’ preventative diplomacy frameworks, giving political leaders and diplomats the space to pre-empt crises and steer nations back onto stable and peaceful paths. The participation of former presidents like Dr. Masisi provides both legitimacy and institutional memory to these processes, an asset that cannot be understated.
This year’s session also came at a time when regional unity and cooperative diplomacy are under strain in several hotspots. Against this backdrop, the panel served as a reaffirmation that leadership, even after office, remains essential to the future of the continent.
Dr. Masisi’s attendance, therefore, is not only a continuation of his statesmanship but a reflection of the enduring value of wisdom earned through public service. His involvement is also a nod to Botswana’s long-standing reputation for democratic stability and its subtle but strong influence in regional diplomacy.
As reflected in the media release, the Office of the Former President reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts led by both the EAC and SADC. The release also extended gratitude to the organizers of the panel for creating a space where genuine dialogue could flourish, and practical solutions could be pursued.
In the ever-evolving tapestry of African diplomacy, where the past and present often collide, it is heartening to see former leaders like Dr. Masisi step forward—not as politicians seeking relevance, but as patriots offering guidance.
The legacy of leadership, after all, is not solely measured by years in office but by what one does with the influence that remains. Dr. Masisi’s engagement with the Panel of Designated Facilitators reminds us that leadership, at its best, transcends position—it becomes service.
As the outcomes of the panel are compiled and consultations continue in the coming months, the public and policymakers alike will be watching closely. But if the tone and substance of this session are anything to go by, then the spirit of cooperation that shaped these two days in May might just be the spark the region needs to reimagine peace—once again, and together.
