Source: Zimbabwe to chair selected regional meetings during transitional period in SADC – herald
Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE will host “selected meetings” of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), during the interim period South Africa will be chairing the regional bloc, it has been learnt.
In a communique after Friday’s virtual Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, the regional group thanked President Mnangagwa for offering to “host selected SADC meetings in Zimbabwe during the interim period.”
Speaking to the media after the indaba, President Mnangagwa expressed satisfaction with collective efforts by member states to address challenges facing the region.
“This was a meeting of all SADC Heads of State on our collective thrust to address challenges facing our region.
“And I am happy that we are all in agreement on how we are tackling the challenges that face our region,” he said.The SADC Extraordinary Summit was convened to discuss Madagascar’s decision to withdraw from its role as chair of the bloc.
Madagascar, under former President Andry Rajoelina, took over as chair of SADC from Zimbabwe at the 45th Summit of Heads of State and Government in Antananarivo in August, but following a recent coup by Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who has since been sworn in as the new president, the southern African country has since decided to relinquish its role.
In accordance with Articles 9A (2)(b) and 10(4) of the SADC Treaty, South Africa, as the incoming chair, was chosen to take over leadership of the regional body on an interim basis.
A new incoming chair will be chosen by November 30.
In a statement after the summit, SADC Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi said the bloc will, however, continue implementing the theme that was adopted at the 45th SADC Summit — “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”.“Summit welcomed the offer by His Excellency, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, to host selected SADC meetings in Zimbabwe during the interim period, in his capacity as the outgoing chairperson of SADC,” said Mr Magosi.
“Summit acknowledged the decision by the Republic of Madagascar to relinquish her role as chair of SADC, following recent political developments that have impacted her capacity to discharge the responsibilities of the position.
Summit acknowledged that, in accordance with Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the SADC Treaty, the incoming chairperson (deputy chairperson) shall assume interim leadership should the sitting chair be unable to fulfil their duties. In this regard, the Republic of South Africa was appointed as interim chair of SADC until August 2026.”
The SADC Secretariat will engage member states, in line with the principle of rotation, to identify a new incoming chairperson (deputy chairperson) by November 30, 2025.
The regional body also extended its condolences to families who lost loved ones during the protests that occurred in Madagascar in September and, more recently, in Tanzania.
“It (summit) expressed deep regret that these events resulted, not only in the loss of life, but also in the destruction of public property and critical infrastructure in both nations,” said Mr Magosi.
Malawian President Arthur Peter Mutharika, Seychelles’ Dr Patrick Herminie and Tanzanian President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan were congratulated for winning recent elections.
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