SADC Summit kicks off in Maputo, Mozambique (June 15, 2013)

Heads of State and Government and their representative during the SADC Summit in Maputo on June 15, 2013.  The participants included H.E. Sir Seretse Khama lan Khama (Botswana), 
 H.E. Joseph Kabange Kabila
 (D.R. Congo), Rt. Hon. Thomas Motsoahae Thabane, Prime Minister
 (Lesotho), H.E. Armando Emilio Guebuza (Mozambique), H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba
 (
Namibia ), H. E. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (South Africa), H.E. Robert Gabriel Mugabe (
Zimbabwe),    H. E. Guy Scott, Vice President
 (
Zambia), Hon. Sibusiso Dlamini, Prime Minister (Swaziland), Hon. Georges Chikoti, Minister of External Relations
 (Angola), Hon. Bernard Kamillus Membe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (Tanzania), 
Hon. Ken Kandodo, Minister of Defence (Malawi), Ambassador Barry Faure, Secretary of State
 (Seychelles), H.E I.M. Dossa, High Commissioner to South Africa  and Sadc (Mauritius).

SADC Heads of State and Government and their representatives during the Summit in Maputo on June 15, 2013.

A group photo of SADC Heads of State and Government and their Representatives, that included Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (3rd right - 2nd front roll), who participated on behalf of H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Southern African leaders gathered last Saturday, June 15, 2013 to try to draw up a road map for elections in Zimbabwe.

The summit of the 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the Mozambican capital comes two days after Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe declared July 31 as election day, a date immediately rejected by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, his partner in a coalition and his main political rival.

Mugabe argued that he is simply following an order from the Constitutional Court to hold the election by the end of July, but Tsvangirai says it is too soon to allow the reforms of the media and security forces required for a free and fair vote.

Regional leaders must decide whether Mugabe was acting on his own when he declared the election date, thereby breaking an agreement brokered by SADC after violent and disputed elections in 2008.

The deal five years ago gave birth to a fractious unity government that nevertheless managed to stabilize the economy after nearly a decade of decline and hyperinflation.

The SADC summit discussed finance for the Zimbabwe elections, which are expected to cost the cash-strapped country $132 million, and the number of regional election observers.

Further, the SADC leaders also discussed developments in Madagascar, which slid into turmoil after disc jockey-turned-politician Andry Rajoelina seized power from Marc Ravalomanana with military support.