SADC Communique on Zimbabwe: January 26-27, 2009

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Posted to the web: 27/01/2009 11:10:11
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 January 26-27, 2009. The Extraordinary Summit met to review the implementation of the Zimbabwe Global Political Agreement.

2. The Extraordinary Summit was chaired by H.E. Kgalema Motlanthe, 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:

Botswana H.E. President Lt. Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama

Lesotho Right Honourable Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili

Mozambique H.E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza, Deputy Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

Namibia H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba

South Africa H.E. President Kgalema Motlanthe Chairperson of SADC

Swaziland H.M. King Mswati 111, Chairpeson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

United Republic of Tanzania H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete

Zambia H.E. Rupiah Banda

Zimbabwe H.E. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe

Angola Hon Assuncao Dos Anjos, Minister of External Affairs

DRC Hon Alexis Thambwe Muamba, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Seychelles Honourable Patrick Pillay, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Malawi Hon George Chaponda, Minister of Local Governmnt and Rural Development

Madagascar Hon Dr Denis Andriamandroso, Madagascar Ambassador to South Africa

Mauritius Mr Anund Priyay Neewor, GOSK, Secretary of Foreign Affairs

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

5. In his opening remarks, His Excellency President Kgalema Motlanthe, Chairpeson of SADC and President for 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 an inclusive government in in place.

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

(i) the parties shall endeavor to cause parliament to pass the Constitutional Amendment 19 by February 5, 2009;

(ii) the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers shall be sworn in by February 11, 2009;

(iii) the Ministers and Deputy Ministers shall be sworn in on February 13, 2009, which will conclude the process of the formation of the inclusive government;

(iv) the Joint-Monitoring Implementation Committee (JOMIC), provided for in the Global Political Agreement shall be activated immediately. The first meeting of JOMIC shall be convened by the Facilitator on January 30, 2009, and shall, among other things, elect the chairpersons;

(v) the allocation of ministerial portfolios endorsed by the SADC Extraordinary Summit held on November 9, 2008, shall be reviewed six (6) months after the inauguration of the inclusive government;

(vi) the appointments of the Reserve Bank Governor and the Attorney General will be dealt with by the inclusive government after its formation; and

(vii) the negotiators of the parties shall meet 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 the challenges facing Zimbabwe.

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

11. the Extraordinary Summit directed the chairperson of the SADC to present the African Union at its forthcoming summit a progress report on the implementation of the Sham- El-Sheik Resolution.

12. the Extraordinary Summit received a brief on the prevailing security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and supports the government efforts to finding a lasting solution to the conflict in the Eastern part of the country. The government of the DRC expressed it 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.

Pretoria, Republic of South Africa

January 27, 2009
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