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 HE 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: HE President Hifikepunye Pohamba
* South Africa: HE President Jacob G Zuma
* United Republic: HE President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania
* Zimbabwe: HE President Robert G. Mugabe
* Zambia: HE Vice President George Kunda
* Lesotho: Hon Deputy Prime Minister Archibald Lesao Lehohla
* Democratic Republic of Congo (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: HE Mrs Agrina Mussa, High Commissioner to South Africa
* Seychelles: HE 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 HE 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 characterised 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:
* 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.
* appointed HE 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.
* decided to work closely and coordinate with AU, UN, International Organisation of the Francophone and other stakeholders.
* 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
* 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 jeopardise 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 co-ordinate its mediation efforts in Madagascar with the AU and UN.
12. The Extraordinary Summit urged the Malagasy parties to fully co-operate with the SADC co-ordinated 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.
Issued by: Department of International Relations and Co-operation
20 June 2009
