SADC Communiqué: Extraordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government:  Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, 26 – 27 January 2009

1. The Extraordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government met at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa on 26 to 27 January 2009.

The Extraordinary Summit met to review the implementation of the Zimbabwe Global Political Agreement.

2. The Extraordinary Summit was chaired by His Excellency Kgalema Montlanthe, Chairperson of SADC and President of the Republic of South Africa.

3. The Extraordinary Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government on their representatives:

• Botswana: President Lt Gen Seretse Khama lan Khama
• Lesotho: The Right Honourable Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili
• Mozambique: President Armondo Emilio Guebuza, Deputy Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation
• Namibia: President Hifikepunye Pohamba
• South Africa: President Kgalema Montlanthe, Chairperson of SADC
• Swaziland: HM King Mswati, Chairperson of Organ Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation
• United Republic of Tanzania: President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
• Zambia: President Rupiah Banda
• Zimbabwe: President Robert Gabriel Mugabe
• Angola: Hon Assunco Dos Anjos, Minister of External Affairs
• DRC: Honourable Alexis Thambwe Muamba, Minister of External Affairs
• Seychelles: Honourable Patrick Pillay, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Malawi: Honourable George Chaponda, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development
• Madagascar: Honourable Dr Denis Andriamandroso, Madagascar Ambassador to South Africa
• Mauritius: Mr Anund Priyay Neerwor, GOSK, Secretary for Foreign Affairs

4. The meeting was also attended by His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, former President of the Republic of South Africa and the SADC Facilitator on the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue, Leaders of MDC. Formations, Right Honourable Morgan Tsvangiria, Prime Minister Designate and Professor Welshman Ncube, representing Professor Arthur Mutambara, the Deputy Prime Minister Designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Tomaz Augusto Salomoa.

5. In his opening remarks, His Excellency President Kgalema Motlanthe, Chairperson of SADC and President of the Republic of South Africa welcomed all delegates to the meeting and re-affirmed SADC's commitment to finding a lasting solution to the implementation of the Zimbabwe Global Political Agreement.

6. The Extraordinary Summit noted that the people of Zimbabwe are faced with difficult challenges and suffering that can only be addressed once the Inclusive Government is in place.

7. In view of the above, the Extraordinary Summit decided as follows:

• the parties shall endeavour to cause Parliament to pass Constitutional Amendment 19 to 5 February
• the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers shall be sworn in on 11 February 2009
• the Ministers and Deputy Ministers shall be sworn in on 13 February 2009, which will conclude the process of the formation of the Inclusive Government
• the allocation of ministerial portfolios endorsed by the SADC Extraordinary Summit held on 9 November 2008 shall be reviewed six months after the inauguration of the Inclusive Government
• the appointments of the Reserve Bank Governor and the Attorney General will be dealt with by the Inclusive Government
• the negotiations of the parties shall meet to immediately to consider the National Security Bill submitted by the MDC-T as well as the formula for the distribution of the Provincial Governors.

8. The Extraordinary Summit expressed its appreciation for the efforts of His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, Former President of the Republic of South Africa and the Facilitator of the Political Dialogue on Zimbabwe in helping to find an amicable solution to challenges facing the Republic of Zimbabwe and encouraged him to continue with his facilitation efforts.

9. The Extraordinary Summit commended the political parties to the Global Political Agreement for their openness and constructive engagement in finding a lasting solution to challenges facing Zimbabwe.

10. SADC shall remain seized with Zimbabwe situation in keeping with its obligations as guarantor of the Global Political Agreement.

11. The Extraordinary Summit directed the Chairperson of SADC to present to the African Union at its forthcoming Summit a progress report on the implementation of the Sharm–El-Sheik Resolution.

12. The Extraordinary Summit received a brief on the prevailing security situation in Democratic Republic of Congo and supports the government efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict in the Eastern part of the country. The government of the DRC expressed its gratitude to SADC for the support thus far rendered.

13. The Extraordinary Summit also urged the International Community to continue providing the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo with humanitarian assistance.

14. His Excellency President Kgalema Motlanthe officially closed the extraordinary Summit.

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs, South Africa
27 January 2009