NEW: President Mnangagwa arrives in Madagascar for SADC Summit

Wallace Ruzvidzo in ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar

SADC chairperson President Mnangagwa has arrived in Antananarivo, Madagascar, for the regional bloc’s 45th Summit of Heads of State and Government set for tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the President will pass on the chairmanship to Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina.

President Mnangagwa was welcomed by Madagascar’s Prime Minister Ntsay Christian, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira and Zimbabwe’s Ambassadors to Madagascar and Botswana as well as SADC) Messrs David Hamadziripi and Henry Mukonoweshuro, respectively, among other officials.

He was accompanied by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube; Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba; and other senior Government officials.

President Mnangagwa is expected to attend a dinner at the Presidential Palace this evening ahead of the gathering of Heads of State and Government

Botswana President Duma Boko also arrived in Antananarivo shortly before President Mnangagwa.

According to reports, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, Nambia’s Nandi Ndaitwah, Malawi’s Lazarus Chakwera, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Mozambique’s Daniel Chapo and Eswatini’s King Mswati III have also confirmed their attendance.

The summit, which will be held under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”, marks a momentous milestone for Madagascar, which joined the regional bloc SADC in 2005.