President Jacob G. Zuma to attend the SADC Troika Summit in Livingstone, Zambia, 28-31 March 2011.

The President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr.Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, will lead a high level delegation to the SADC Troika Summit scheduled for 31 March 2011 in Zambia.

This summit takes place within the context of consolidating the African Agenda, deepening the regional integration efforts and strengthening the regional governance structures of the SADC. South Africa participates in the SADC Troika following the 2010 SADC Summit which, elected H.E. Rupiah Bwezani Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia, as Chairperson of the Organ for Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation (Organ); H.E. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zumaas the incoming Chairperson of the Organ and H. E. Mr. Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of the Republic of Mozambique, as the outgoing Chairperson of the Organ. 

Accordingly, it is expected that the MCO Troika will consider a number of issues, among them:

• The Status of Ratification and/or Accession to the Protocols Related to the Organ on Politics, Defence & Security Cooperation,

• Report on the Implementation of Summit Decisions,

• Reports on the Political and Security Situation in the Region,

• Debate on matters relating to the Consolidation of Democracy in the Region, also considering issues pertaining to the Development of SADC’s Capacity for Mediation, Conflict Prevention and Preventative Diplomacy, and also

• To consider Progress Report on Security Situation in the Region and SADC’s Assistance to the DRC. 

South Africa will assume the Chair of the Organ in August 2011 – 2012.  Its role as a member of the Troika will include to collectively lead SADC in implementing its Peace and Security agenda and to give policy direction in between the Summits.

The Troika Summit will be preceded by the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Politics (MCO) which will take place on 29 March 2011.


Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane will lead a delegation during the debates of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Politics (MCO), which will follow the Senior Officials consultation that takes place today, 29 March 2011.

For further information contact the DIRCO Spokesperson, Mr Clayson Monyela, on 082 884 5974.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND
COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria

28 March 2011