President Kgalema Motlanthe to chair SADC Extra-Ordinary Summit to discuss Zimbabwe and Madagascar

Mbabane- South African President and current Chairperson of SADC, President Kgalema Motlanthe, supported by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of Defence Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Trevor Manuel and Charles Nqakula respectively will lead the South African Government delegation to the Extra-Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government scheduled for Monday 30 March 2009 in the Swazi Capital of Mbabane.

In this regard, President Motlanthe is expected to chair the Extra-ordinary Summit aimed at discussing the economic recovery plan for Zimbabwe as well as the current situation and developments in Madagascar.

The Extra-ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government will be preceded by the SADC Council of Ministers meeting on Sunday 29 March, chaired by South Africa’s Foreign Minister Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, which will process recommendations on the economic recovery plan for Zimbabwe including the way forward out of the current situation in Madagascar.

With respect to Zimbabwe, the SADC Finance Ministers were tasked to develop an economic recovery plan for the country, which was presented at the last SADC Council of Ministers meeting held in Cape Town. Accordingly, the Heads of State and Government of SADC are expected to deliberate upon the proposed economic recovery plan and chart the way forward.

Pursuant to the meeting of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security held in Mbabane recently as well as the visit to Madagascar a SADC delegation Executive led by the SADC Secretary Dr. Tomaz  Salomao,  the SADC  Summit is expected  to deliberate upon proposals thus developed to assist Madagascar to return to democracy, the rule of law and constitutionality. In this context the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security is also is expected to convene a meeting on Sunday to finalise its presentation to the Summit.

The Extra-ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government is expected to wind its deliberations on Monday 30 March.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

27 March 2009.