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Communique on Extraordinary Summit, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania SADC
SADC
December 08, 2012

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

1. The Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania from 7 - 8 December 2012.

2. Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government and or their representatives:

DRC: H.E. President Joseph Kabila Kabange
Lesotho: Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Thomas Motsoahae Thabane
Mozambique: H.E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza
Namibia: H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba
South Africa: H.E. President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma
United Republic: H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania
Angola: H.E. Manuel Domingos Vicente -
Vice President Malawi: Rt. Hon. Khumbo Kachali,
Vice President Seychelles: H.E. Danny Faure,
Vice President Zambia: Hon. Dr. Guy Scotts,
Vice President Swaziland: Rt. Hon. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini,
Prime Minister Botswana: Hon. Phandu Skelemani,
Minister for Foreign Affairs Zimbabwe: Hon. Simbarashe S. Mumbengengwi,
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauritius: H.E. Mohammed Ismael Dossa, High Commissioner to South Africa

3. Summit was chaired by H.E. Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of the Republic of Mozambique and the Chairperson of SADC.

4. Summit was also attended by His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda and the Chairperson of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR); and His Excellency Joaquim Alberto Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique, and SADC Mediator on the political conflict in Madagascar.

5. Also in attendance was the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomao and Executive Secretary of the ICGLR, Professor Alphonce Luaba.

6. Summit considered the political and security situation in the region, in particular the latest developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Madagascar and the Republic of Zimbabwe.

7. On Democratic Republic of Congo, Summit:

(i) reaffirmed the indivisibility and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo;

(ii) expressed deep concern regarding the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC due to the prevailing situation;

(iii) strongly condemned the M23 and all its attacks on the civilian population, United Nations Peacekeepers and humanitarian actors, as well as its abuses of human rights, including summary executions, sexual and gender based violence;

(iv) affirmed that SADC, as a block will deploy the SADC Standby Force in the Eastern DRC under the auspices of the Neutral International Force (NIF)

(v) welcomed the decision of the ICGLR to mandate the United Republic of Tanzania to appoint a Force Commander for the NIF to be deployed in the Eastern DRC;

(vi) mandated the SADC Interstate Politics and Diplomacy Committee (ISPDC) and the SADC Secretariat to work together with the ICGLR to engage the African Union Peace and the United Nations Security Council for support to the deployment and sustenance;

(vi) urged UN to change MONUSCO mandate to the United Nations Chapter VII;

(vii) commended the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of South Africa for pledging one battalion and logistics support for the NIF respectively; and

(viii) commended the DRC for contributing funds for the deployment of the NIF.

8. On Madagascar:

8.1 Summit commended:

(i) His Excellency Joachim Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique and the SADC Mediator on the political conflict in Madagascar for his efforts towards restoring the constitutional normalcy in the country;

(ii) His Excellency Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa and the Outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation for his contribution in resolving the crisis in the country;

(iii) His Excellency James Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles for his contribution in assisting the Malagasy towards finding a lasting solution to the political situation in their country.

8.2 Summit endorsed the report of the SADC Mediator and:

(i) urged the Malagasy political stakeholders to fully implement the Madagascar Roadmap in the letter and spirit;

(ii) urged that the dates of 8 May 2013 for Presidential Elections and 25 July 2013 for Parliamentary Elections be respected by all parties concerned;

(iii) Summit took note of, and undertook to give serious consideration to the request to SADC to contribute 10 million U$ to the Malagasy elections of 2013. In this regard, the Summit urged SADC Member States to make timely voluntary contributions. Summit also directed the Secretariat to mobilise financial and logistical support from the international community.

8.3 Summit reiterated its decision that former President Mr. Marc Ravalomanana should return to Madagascar unconditionally.

8.4 Summit reemphasized that the two candidates, Mr Marc Ravalomanana and Mr. Andry Rajoelina, should be persuaded not to stand in the forthcoming general elections as a way forward towards resolving this crisis.

8.5 Summit reiterated its position that the Amnesty Law be implemented in order to create conducive conditions for the return of the political exiles including Mr. Ravalomanana.

8.6 Summit urged the political stakeholders to develop legislation before the May 2013 elections that would guarantee the privileges of the former Heads of State.

8.7 Summit urged the Transitional Government to repeal the legislations intended to exclude its citizens from participating in the coming elections.

9. On Zimbabwe

9.1 Summit commended the efforts of HE Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa and the SADC Facilitator of the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue towards full implementation of Global Political Agreement (GPA).

9.2 Summit urged the political stakeholders in Zimbabwe to fully implement the GPA.

9.3 Summit also urged the political stakeholders to finalise the constitutional process including referendum before the holding of the elections in 2013.

10. Summit congratulated the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania for marking the 51st Independence Anniversary of their country.

11. Summit expressed gratitude to the government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania for the warm hospitality provided during the meeting.

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