Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
THE Southern African Development Community yesterday elected Zambia as interim incoming chair of the regional bloc, replacing Madagascar, which withdrew from the annual rotating chairmanship owing to a leadership transition.
The regional bloc held an extraordinary virtual summit, which also appointed former Malawian president, Dr Joyce Banda, to lead a Panel of Elders to Madagascar to facilitate the ongoing process of restoration of political stability and democracy.
This follows political unrest that saw President Andry Rajoelina being removed and the coming in of a military administration led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina.
Following the stepping down of Madagascar as Sadc chair, South Africa, which held the vice chair and was the incoming chairperson, was elevated to interim chair, leaving the vice chair position vacant.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa chaired yesterday’s meeting, while Zimbabwe, which is a member of the Sadc Troika by virtue of being the outgoing chair, had Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, representing President Mnangagwa.
In addition to electing Zambia as the incoming interim chair of Sadc, the regional bloc outlined an elaborate roadmap for Madagascar, which was represented by its transitional leader, Col Randrianirina to return to democracy through a fresh election.
The roadmap that was outlined followed the tabling of a report before the summit by Sadc Chairperson of Organ on Defence, Politics and Security Cooperation and Malawian President, Professor Peter Mutharika.
This was after a technical fact-finding mission to Madagascar held from October 19 to 26, to assess the political and security situation through consultations with diverse stakeholders.
In his closing remarks, President Ramaphosa congratulated Zambian leader, President Hakainde Hichilema, for his election as incoming interim chair.
“We wish to congratulate His Excellency President Hichilema on his election as incoming chair of the SADC, which was subject to confirmation, of course, by summit as has been done.
“I look forward to working closely with you, Your Excellency President Hichilema, my brother, as we advance the mandate of SADC in pursuit of peace, security and the shared prosperity for the region and all its peoples,” said President Ramaphosa.
He described yesterday’s deliberations as detailed.
“Our deliberations on the developments on the Republic of Madagascar have been substantive, detailed, constructive, and most importantly, outcome-based.
“The decision we have taken to deploy a panel of elders and mediation reference group to Madagascar evidences and demonstrates our collective commitment to a peaceful and stable region here in Southern Africa.
“The mission will engage with all stakeholders in Madagascar to ensure there is an inclusive process leading up to the holding of fair and credible elections,” said President Ramaphosa.
He said the bloc calls on the people of Madagascar to take this opportunity to deeply reflect on the challenges facing their country and choose the path of peace, unity, reconciliation, and development.
“The unity of purpose that has governed our engagement on this and other critical matters affecting our region is indeed commendable.
“We must continue in this way,” he said.
He welcomed the restoration of calm in Madagascar noting that the national consultative processes launched by the transitional government on the 10th of December had proceeded well.
“As SADC, we reaffirm our commitment to continue and to remain engaged with the political and security situation in the Republic of Madagascar until an elected government is established through an electoral process.
“As SADC, we urge the transitional government to initiate a Malagasy-owned and led inclusive national dialogue during the transitional period so that it can pave the way for fresh elections and facilitate the peaceful return of political exiles so that they too can participate in this national dialogue that should be owned, managed, and given direction by the people of Madagascar themselves,” said President Ramaphosa.
“We further call on the transitional government to ensure that the reform processes that need to be embarked upon are timely, that they are inclusive of all stakeholders, and that they should create a conducive environment in which all the people of Madagascar can contribute meaningfully to the dialogue.
“This must be a Madagascar-owned and led dialogue. For it is the people of Madagascar who must find their own solutions to the challenges that they face. SADC’s role and participation is to support through the various processes that we have announced today and have decided on to enable the people of Madagascar to engage with each other and to have serious dialogue with each other on finding solutions, solutions that must be owned by the people of Madagascar.”
