Communique on Extraordinary SADC Summit
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
11.12.12
1. The Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held in Dar es Salaam,
United Republic of Tanzania from 7 – 8 December 2012.
2. Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government and or
their representatives:
DRC: H.E. President Joseph Kabila Kabange
Lesotho: Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Thomas Motsoahae Thabane
Mozambique: H.E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza
Namibia: H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba
South Africa: H.E. President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma
United Republic: H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania
Angola: H.E. Manuel Domingos Vicente – Vice President
Malawi: Rt. Hon. Khumbo Kachali, Vice President
Seychelles: H.E. Danny Faure, Vice President
Zambia: Hon. Dr. Guy Scotts, Vice President
Swaziland: Rt. Hon. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, Prime Minister
Botswana: Hon. Phandu Skelemani, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Zimbabwe: Hon. Simbarashe S. Mumbengengwi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mauritius: H.E. Mohammed Ismael Dossa, High Commissioner to South Africa
3. Summit was chaired by H.E. Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of the
Republic of Mozambique and the Chairperson of SADC.
4. Summit was also attended by His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, the President
of Uganda and the Chairperson of the International Conference on the Great
Lakes Region (ICGLR); and His Excellency Joaquim Alberto Chissano, former
President of the Republic of Mozambique, and SADC Mediator on the political
conflict in Madagascar.
5. Also in attendance was the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto
Salomao and Executive Secretary of the ICGLR, Professor Alphonce Luaba.
6. Summit considered the political and security situation in the region, in
particular the latest developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the
Republic of Madagascar and the Republic of Zimbabwe.
7. On Democratic Republic of Congo, Summit:
(i) reaffirmed the indivisibility and respect for the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo;
(ii) expressed deep concern regarding the deteriorating security and
humanitarian situation in eastern DRC due to the prevailing situation;
(iii) strongly condemned the M23 and all its attacks on the civilian
population, United Nations Peacekeepers and humanitarian actors, as well as
its abuses of human rights, including summary executions, sexual and gender
based violence;
(iv) affirmed that SADC, as a block will deploy the SADC Standby Force in
the Eastern DRC under the auspices of the Neutral International Force
(NIF)
(v) welcomed the decision of the ICGLR to mandate the United Republic of
Tanzania to appoint a Force Commander for the NIF to be deployed in the
Eastern DRC;
(vi) mandated the SADC Interstate Politics and Diplomacy Committee (ISPDC)
and the SADC Secretariat to work together with the ICGLR to engage the
African Union Peace and the United Nations Security Council for support to
the deployment and sustenance;
(vi) urged UN to change MONUSCO mandate to the United Nations Chapter VII;
(vii) commended the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of South
Africa for pledging one battalion and logistics support for the NIF
respectively; and
(viii) commended the DRC for contributing funds for the deployment of the
NIF.
8. On Madagascar:
8.1 Summit commended:
(i) His Excellency Joachim Chissano, former President of the Republic of
Mozambique and the SADC Mediator on the political conflict in Madagascar for
his efforts towards restoring the constitutional normalcy in the country;
(ii) His Excellency Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa
and the Outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security
Cooperation for his contribution in resolving the crisis in the country;
(iii) His Excellency James Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles
for his contribution in assisting the Malagasy towards finding a lasting
solution to the political situation in their country.
8.2 Summit endorsed the report of the SADC Mediator and:
(i) urged the Malagasy political stakeholders to fully implement the
Madagascar Roadmap in the letter and spirit;
(ii) urged that the dates of 8 May 2013 for Presidential Elections and 25
July 2013 for Parliamentary Elections be respected by all parties concerned;
(iii) Summit took note of, and undertook to give serious consideration to
the request to SADC to contribute 10 million U$ to the Malagasy elections of
2013. In this regard, the Summit urged SADC Member States to make timely
voluntary contributions. Summit also directed the Secretariat to mobilise
financial and logistical support from the international community.
8.3 Summit reiterated its decision that former President Mr. Marc
Ravalomanana should return to Madagascar unconditionally.
8.4 Summit reemphasized that the two candidates, Mr Marc Ravalomanana and
Mr. Andry Rajoelina, should be persuaded not to stand in the forthcoming
general elections as a way forward towards resolving this crisis.
8.5 Summit reiterated its position that the Amnesty Law be implemented in
order to create conducive conditions for the return of the political exiles
including Mr. Ravalomanana.
8.6 Summit urged the political stakeholders to develop legislation before
the May 2013 elections that would guarantee the privileges of the former
Heads of State.
8.7 Summit urged the Transitional Government to repeal the legislations
intended to exclude its citizens from participating in the coming elections.
9. On Zimbabwe
9.1 Summit commended the efforts of HE Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic
of South Africa and the SADC Facilitator of the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue
towards full implementation of Global Political Agreement (GPA).
9.2 Summit urged the political stakeholders in Zimbabwe to fully implement
the GPA.
9.3 Summit also urged the political stakeholders to finalise the
constitutional process including referendum before the holding of the
elections in 2013.
10. Summit congratulated the Government and the people of the United
Republic of Tanzania for marking the 51st Independence Anniversary of their
country.
11. Summit expressed gratitude to the government and the people of the
United Republic of Tanzania for the warm hospitality provided during the
meeting.