The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is set to hold an Extraordinary Heads of State and Government Summit later this week following Madagascar’s surprise decision to step down from its annual rotating chairmanship.
The special summit, expected to take place in Angola, comes after Madagascar’s military government, led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina, announced on Saturday that it was withdrawing to focus on “building” strong institutions and strengthening national unity.
Under SADC rules, South Africa, which deputises for Madagascar, will now take over the chairmanship.
Barbara Lopi, head of communications and public relations at the SADC Secretariat, told Zimpapers that the summit will discuss Madagascar’s withdrawal and its implications for the regional bloc. She said:
“Communication from Madagascar has been received and considered, and it is going to be one of the agenda items at the Extraordinary SADC Summit, which is scheduled to meet later this week.
“Among other issues, the withdrawal of Madagascar from the position of chair of SADC will be discussed.
“It is only after that meeting that we will be able to give the official position on what Madagascar has presented.”
The withdrawal positions South Africa to take on the interim leadership of the regional body, in accordance with established institutional protocols. Said Lopi:
“From a legal point, Articles 9A (2) (b) and 10A of the SADC Treaty stipulate that the incoming chairperson should assume interim leadership when the sitting chairperson is unable to perform their duties.”
Lopi stressed that the regional leaders at the upcoming summit will determine the final confirmation, as well as the duration and scope of the interim chairmanship.
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