African leaders are gathering in Zimbabwe for the Southern African Development Community summit set for Saturday. The summit is expected to address the mpox outbreaks affecting the continent, particularly in Congo, which accounts for over 90% of the cases. The World Health Organization recently declared the mpox outbreaks in Africa a global health emergency due to its rapid spread across more than a dozen African countries this year, some where it was previously unreported. There are concerns about a new, potentially more infectious variant of mpox identified in Congo, prompting fears of spread across borders, as seen with Sweden reporting its first case of the new strain.

The South African Democratic Alliance party has urged delegates at the summit to prioritize discussions on the mpox situation, highlighting Congo’s large outbreak as a warning of the situation’s volatility. Meanwhile, as leaders arrive in Harare for the summit, there are criticisms over Zimbabwe’s human rights record. The government has faced allegations of a political crackdown, with over 160 activists and opposition members reportedly arrested in recent months. The UN and other groups have called for the release of detained individuals, citing reports of mistreatment and enforced disappearances.

Despite Zimbabwe’s president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, expected to assume leadership of SADC, there has been minimal pressure on his administration from neighboring countries in the region, despite longstanding allegations of crackdowns both pre and post-elections. Zimbabwe has made efforts to spruce up infrastructure and amenities for the summit, including road repairs and promises of uninterrupted services, contrasting with frequent blackouts and water shortages experienced by citizens. Analysts doubt that regional leaders will use the summit as an opportunity to address Zimbabwe’s rights record, with concerns that challenging issues may be avoided during discussions.