EXCERPTS FROM SADC SUMMIT COMMUNIQUÉ

The 42nd Ordinary Summit of the heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held on August 17, 2022, in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Summit elected H.E Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as Chairperson of SADC, and H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola as the incoming Chairperson of SADC.

Summit also elected H.E. Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, as Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia as incoming Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

Summit received a report of the Outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, H.E. Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, the President of the Republic of South Africa, and commended him for his outstanding leadership and continued efforts to address peace and security threats during the year, notwithstanding the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Summit received a progress report from the SADC facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho, H.E. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa on the implementation of SADC decisions in the Kingdom of Lesotho and while noting the progress made, it urged the government to expedite completion of the ongoing reforms, and to continue with peace, transitional justice and reconciliation process to engender national unity, and bring about national healing and cohesion.