Zimbabwe will serve as a venue for certain regional gatherings while South Africa assumes temporary leadership of the Southern African Development Community following Madagascar's withdrawal from the chairmanship role. President Emmerson Mnangagwa confirmed the arrangement after an emergency virtual summit on Friday that addressed the leadership transition prompted by a military takeover in Madagascar under Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who replaced former President Andry Rajoelina.
South Africa will hold the interim position until August 2026 in accordance with SADC treaty provisions that designate the incoming chair to assume responsibilities when the current leader cannot fulfill duties. The bloc will identify a replacement deputy chair by November 30 through its established rotation system while maintaining the industrialization and agricultural development agenda adopted at the previous summit in Antananarivo.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi announced that member states expressed regret over recent protest violence in Madagascar and Tanzania that resulted in casualties and infrastructure damage. The organization congratulated newly elected leaders in Malawi, Seychelles, and Tanzania.
South Africa will hold the interim position until August 2026 in accordance with SADC treaty provisions that designate the incoming chair to assume responsibilities when the current leader cannot fulfill duties. The bloc will identify a replacement deputy chair by November 30 through its established rotation system while maintaining the industrialization and agricultural development agenda adopted at the previous summit in Antananarivo.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi announced that member states expressed regret over recent protest violence in Madagascar and Tanzania that resulted in casualties and infrastructure damage. The organization congratulated newly elected leaders in Malawi, Seychelles, and Tanzania.
