Saturday, May 11, 2013

JOINT COMMUNIQUĖ OF THE SADC TROIKA SUMMIT HELD IN SOUTH AFRICA





SUMMIT OF THE SADC TROIKA OF THE ORGAN ON POLITICS, DEFENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
COMMUNIQUĖ
The Organ Troika Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) was held in Cape Town, South Africa on 10 May 2013. Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government and their representatives: South Africa H.E. President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma United Republic  of Tanzania H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Namibia Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Minister of Foreign  Affairs)  Summit was chaired by H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. Summit was also attended by the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão. 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. On Democratic Republic of Congo Summit received a progress report on the deployment of the Intervention Brigade in the Eastern DRC. Summit welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2098 of 28 March, 2013 which provides the mandate for the deployment of the Intervention Brigade (IB) in the Eastern DRC under the auspices of MONUSCO. Summit noted with appreciation the continued collaboration between SADC and the ICGLR, including the African Union and the UN on the deployment in the Eastern DRC.  Summit urged the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 to continue with the Kampala Talks with the view to concluding them expeditiously, to allow the people of the Eastern DRC to live in peace. Summit reiterated its call for urgent attention to be given to the grave humanitarian situation in the Eastern DRC. On Madagascar  Summit received a briefing from H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on the recent political developments in Madagascar, particularly the outcome of his meeting with H.E. Andry Rajoelina, President of the Transition of the Republic of Madagascar on 3 and 4 May 2013 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Summit also received a briefing from H.E. Joaquim Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique and the SADC Mediator on the political process in Madagascar, which highlighted recent political developments particularly preparations for the upcoming elections. Summit commended: H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation for his efforts in finding a lasting solution to the Madagascar political crisis; and H.E. Joaquim Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique and the SADC Mediator in Madagascar for his efforts towards restoring constitutional normalcy in the country. 7.4 Summit expressed grave concern on the decision of the Special Electoral Court to endorse illegitimate candidatures for the forthcoming Presidential elections in violation of the Malagasy Constitution and the Electoral Law. Summit also expressed its displeasure on the decision of H.E. Rajoelina to renege on his earlier undertaking not to stand in the forthcoming Presidential election as reflected in the SADC Dar es Salaam Declaration of 16 January 2013. Summit further expressed its disappointment with the unwise decision of Mouvance Ravalomanana to present Madam Lalao Ravalomanana, former First Lady of the Republic of Madagascar as a Presidential candidate. Summit urged H.E. Andry Rajoelina, former President Didier Ratsiraka and Madam Lalao Ravalomanana to consider withdrawing their candidatures to ensure peaceful conduct of elections and stability in Madagascar. 7.8 Summit urged all parties in Madagascar to respect the Election Calendar as issued by the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI-T) and endorsed by the United Nations. 7.9 In view of the recent development in Madagascar, Summit invites the UN to supervise the elections in Madagascar in collaboration with the AU.  7.10 Summit committed to continue to be seized with the developments in Madagascar. On Zimbabwe 8.1 Summit commended H.E. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa and the SADC Facilitator on Zimbabwe Political Dialogue for his efforts towards the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in Zimbabwe. 8.2 Summit also commended the people of Zimbabwe for holding a credible, free and fair constitutional referendum on 16 March 2013. 8.3 Summit urged the parties to finalise the outstanding issues in the implementation of the GPA and preparations for holding free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. Summit expressed gratitude to the Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa for the warm hospitality and excellent facilities provided during the meeting. Done in Cape Town  Republic of South Africa 10 May 2013


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