Communiqué: Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, 20 June 2009, Sandton, Republic of South Africa

1. The Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government met in Sandton, Republic of South Africa, on 20 June 2009 to consider the political and security situation in Madagascar.

2. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Jacob G. Zuma, 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 or their representatives:
   
   

   Swaziland	His Majesty, King Mswati III
   Namibia	H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba
   South Africa	H.E. President Jacob G. Zuma
   United Republic of Tanzania	H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
   Zimbabwe	H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe
   Zambia	H.E. Vice President George Kunda
   Lesotho	Hon Deputy Prime Minister Archibald Lesao Lehohla
   DRC	Hon. Raymond Tshibanda, Minister of International and Regional Cooperation
   Mozambique	Hon. Oldemiro Baloi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
   Angola	Hon. Assunção A. dos Anjos, Minister of External Relations
   Botswana	Hon. Dikgakgamatso Seretse Minister of Defence, Justice and Security
   Mauritius	Dr. the Hon. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade
   Malawi	H.E. Mrs Agrina Mussa, High Commissioner to South Africa
   Seychelles	H.E. Noellie Alexander High Commissioner to South Africa

   
   
   
4. The Extraordinary Summit expressed a special welcome and gratitude to H.E. Jacob Zuma, SADC Chairperson and President of South Africa who participated at the Summit for the first time as Head of State.
   
   
5. The Extraordinary Summit congratulated H.E. Bingu wa Mutharika for winning the presidential elections in March 2009.
   
   
6. The Extraordinary Summit, based on the observation contained in the report of the SADC Special Envoy in particular the recommendations on the need for the inclusive dialogue among the Malagasy political actors, underscored the urgency of implementing the decisions of its meetings held on 30 March 2009 at Lozitha Royal Palace, Kingdom of Swaziland. To this effect, the Extraordinary Summit decided to expedite its efforts aimed at restoring constitutional order in Madagascar in consultation with AU, UN and other interested stakeholders.
   
   
7. The Extraordinary Summit expressed serious concern on the deteriorating political situation in Madagascar mainly characterized by exacerbating hostility among the different political groups in Madagascar and noted the slow progress experienced so far in the  dialogue among the parties.
   
   
8. The Extraordinary Summit recalled and reiterated its decisions of March 2009 on the urgent need to restore constitutional order in Madagascar.

9. The Extraordinary Summit considered the Reports of different assessment missions, in particular the SADC Special Envoy to Madagascar and of the Ministerial Troika of the Organ on the political situation in the country and:
   
   i) noted with appreciation progress made in all-party negotiations facilitated by AU, UN and International Organisation of Francophone. The Summit decided that SADC will be proactively promoting and facilitating dialogue;
   
   ii) appointed H.E. Joaquim A. Chissano, former President of Mozambique, assisted by a high level team of mediators to lead and coordinate the all party dialogue in Madagascar;
   
   iii) decided to work closely and coordinate with AU, UN, International Organization of the Francophone and other stakeholders;
   
   iv) urged the Malagasy people through their main political structures and representatives to be encouraged to take active ownership of the inclusive dialogue and refrain from any forms of exclusion in the process; and
   
   v) noted that a conducive environment for a productive and successful dialogue should be created by, among others, identifying a venue which is acceptable to all parties, within the SADC Region.
   
   
10. The Extraordinary Summit urged all stakeholders to commit themselves to peaceful negotiated settlement through dialogue and desist from any violent solutions and inflammatory statements which may jeopardize and undermine current efforts in bringing constitutional normalcy.
    
    
11. The Extraordinary Summit noted with appreciation the efforts of AU and UN in returning Madagascar to constitutional normalcy and decided that SADC will continue to coordinate its mediation efforts in Madagascar with the AU and UN.

12. The Extraordinary Summit urged the Malagasy parties to fully cooperate with the SADC coordinated political dialogue aimed at restoring the constitutional order, peace and stability in Madagascar.

13. The Extraordinary Summit underscored that the ownership of the political dialogue in Madagascar must lie with the Malagasy people themselves.

14. The Extraordinary Summit decided that the Ordinary Summit will be held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo in the first week of September 2009.

15. The Extraordinary Summit expressed its gratitude to His Excellency Jacob Zuma, the Government and the people of South Africa for the warm hospitality and the excellent conditions they provided to the delegates. 

 Sandton, Republic of South Africa
20 June 2009