The closing ceremony of the 36th Ordinary meeting of the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held at Lozitha, Royal Palace, Kingdom of Swaziland on the 31st August 2016.

Summit has elected His Majesty, King Mswati III, as Chairperson, and H.E. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa as Deputy Chairperson of SADC. Summit also elected His Excellency Dr. John Pombe Magufuli President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and H.E Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, respectively.

His Majesty, King Mswati III, thanked their Excellences and delegates for attending the Summit and the opportunity to experience the culture and tradition of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The King stated that the Summit has deliberated on key regional issues which required attention as Heads of State and Government, and that they should pride themselves in the milestones that were achieved in some sectors.

“There is need for the region to intensify resource mobilization efforts in order to become a strong economic bloc. To have such a bloc is important if our continental vision of creating infrastructure that will enhance cooperation and integration is to be realized,” he said.

In his closing remarks, the newly elected SADC Deputy Chairperson, and President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma thanked His Majesty, King Mswati III for hosting a successful Summit. He reiterated the commitment by the Government of the Republic of South Africa in supporting SADC to achieve its envisaged agenda.

SADC Executive Secretary, Her Excellency Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax delivered the Summit Communiqué by highlighting the deliberations and decisions of the Summit as endorsed by Heads of State and Government.

The Summit closing ceremony was officially concluded by a Post-Summit media briefing by SADC Chairperson, His Excellency King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland.

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Highlights

The 36th Ordinary Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State officially closed on a high note, having achieved a great deal in the past two days. The Summit took place under the theme “Resource Mobilisation for Investment in Sustainable Energy Infrastructure for an Inclusive SADC Industrialisation and for Prosperity of the Region”.

Areas of concern the SADC Heads of State discussed

• Summit elected His Majesty, King Mswati III as Chairperson and H.E Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa as Deputy Chairperson of SADC.

• Summit also elected His Excellency Dr. John Pombe Magufuli President of the Republic of Tanzania and H.E. Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, respectively.

• Summit was also attended by H.E Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, SADC Executive Secretary, H.E Dr Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma, Chairperson of the Africa Union, H.E. Dr Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of UNECA. H.E. Sindiso Ngwenya, Secretary General of COMESA, H.E Ambassador Zachary Muburi-Muita, Executive Secretary of ICGLR and H.E Ms Paulina M. Elago, Executive Secretary of SACU.

• His Majesty, King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland, Incoming Chairperson and host of the 36th Summit welcomed of SADC Heads of States and Government and other delegates to the Kingdom of Swaziland. His Majesty King Mswati III paid tribute to the Outgoing Chairperson of SADC, H.E. Lieutant General Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama of the Republic of Botswana for having provided exemplary and foresighted leadership to the Region during his tenure, and for significant progress made.

• Summit commended the people and government of the United Republic of Tanzania and Republic and Seychelles for holding peaceful and credible elections in their respective countries and congratulated Their Excellencies, Dr John Pombe Magufuli and Mr. James Michel, for emerging victorious in the Presidential elections.

• Summit commended the Outgoing Chairperson, H.E President Lt. General. Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama for convening the High Level Ministerial Workshops of Food Security and Poverty and Poverty Eradication, Water and Energy and Illegal Trade in Wildlife, which were timely and addressed critical challenges.

• Summit commended His Majesty, King Mswati III and the government of the Kingdom of Swaziland for dedicating a SADC University of Transformation which will grant 300 scholarships, representing 20 for each of the SADC Member States.

• Summit received a report of the Outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, H.E Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique, and commended him for the outstanding leadership of the Chairperson of the Organ.

• The Summit applauded the SADC Region for the unity around the candidature of Hon. Dr. Pelomoni Verson-Moitoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Botswana as SADC candidate for the African Commission position. And undertook to continue supporting the candidature to the next round of elections set for January 2017, in Addis Ababa.

• Summit noted the adoption of the UN Council Resolution 2277 (2016) which extended the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) including its Intervention Brigade to 31 March 2017 and commended the DRC government and MONUSCO for signing the Technical Arrangement on 28 January 2016, thereby paving the way for the effective resumption of joint operations between MONUSCO Forces and the FARDC.

• Summit noted the initiative of the facilitation of the facilitation of the National Inclusive Dialogue spearhead by the African Union Special Envoy H.E Eden Kodjo and urged the Government and all political stakeholders to participate in the National Dialogue and agree on the calendar for elections and stakeholders to create a conducive environment and to participate in the national dialogues.

• Summit commended the massacre perpetuated by negative force in the Eastern DRC, particularly the ADF that has grown into a terrorist group posing danger not only to the DRC but to the whole Region, thus requiring concerted, collective and robust response.

• Summit commend the Government of the DRC, the African Union facilitation, all Congolese Stakeholder and the Facilitation Support Group for the effective launching of an inclusive dialogue that is expected to adopt a roadmap towards peaceful elections in accordance with SADC and International standards.

• Summit noted the progress of the SADC decisions; and the Roadmap on the constitutional, security sector, parliamentary and judiciary reforms as presented by the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and mandated the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to assess the report and the roadmap and present a report to Summit.

• Summit noted progress made with the convening of the Security Sector Workshops and adopted the recommendation of the workshops.

• Summit encouraged the Kingdom of Lesotho to continue implementing SADC decisions, and all stakeholders to participate in the reform processes.

• Summit reiterated the urgent need for the return from exile of the opposition leaders that will pave the ways for an inclusive participation in the on-going reforms and commended H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa for his stewardship in facilitating the process in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

• Summit commended the Republic of South Africa for hosting AMANI AFRICA II Field Training Exercise (AAFTXII) in October/November 2015 and member states that contributed graciously and participated on this important exercise.

• Summit noted progress on Madagascar on the political arena and economic recovery, and underscored the importance of regional support to the mobilization of resources in the country’s efforts to revive the economy.

• Summit noted that the Republic of Zambia held a peaceful general elections and urged for the speedy resolution of the pending legal issues currently under consideration by the Constitution Court.

• Summit commended H.E. Dr Carlos Lopes, CEO for UNECA for his excellent presentation on the 36th Theme of the Summit. Summit adopted the theme and directed the Secretariat to expedite the finalization of the SADC Resource Mobilization Framework underpinned by innovative, predictable and sustainable financing modalities.

• Summit received the Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration, and noted appreciation the progress made in the implementation of the Industrialization Strategy, emphasizing the need to prioritize and act collective in the implementation in high impact infrastructure projects with potential to catalyse industrialization. While noting progress made in the preparing the Costed Industrialisation Action Plan, and urged Member States to finalise consultations and facilitate its approval in March 2017.

• Summit urged Member States that have not signed and ratified SADC Protocols to do so as soon as practically possible.

• Summit approved the Agreement on the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Fund, and urged Member States to urgently ratify the Agreement in order to facilitate mobilisation of resources to finance key regional projects and programmes, giving further impetus to preparation of infrastructure and industrialisation.

• Summit noted progress made with regard to the implementation of the Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan, and urged Member States to scales up implementation of priority infrastructure projects.

• Summit noted with satisfaction, the progress with the commissioning of power generation projects yielding 1700 Mega Watts during the year under review, as well as the planned commissioning of power generation projects whose net output amounts to about 4 000 Mega Watts, which will go a long way in alleviating power shortfalls in the region.

• Summit noted the overall deterioration of the Regional food security situation following the 2015/16 agricultural season occasioned by the extreme El Mino drought phenomenon, which left 39.6 million vulnerable people requiring both food and other humanitarian assistance.

• Summit appealed to the Regional and International Community for continued support to the effected population, in particular to close the gap of E35 billion (US$2.5 billion).

• Summit noted the presentation by Mrs Mary Robinson, the United Nations Secretary General Special Convoy on El Nino on the severe impact of the current situation drought affecting the region, and appreciated supported rendered by the United Nations.

• Summit commended the then Chairperson of SADC , the President of the republic of Botswana, H.E. Lt General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, for declaring a Regional Drought Disaster and launching the SADC Regional Humanitarian Appeal in Gaborone, Botswana on 26th July 2016.

• The Summit also commended the Secretariat for timely preparation of the disaster declaration and humanitarian Appeal.

• Summit received a report on the implementation of the Maseru Declaration on HIV and AIDS, and noted a decline in rates of infections across the region and an increase in the coverage of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme with coverage for the SADC region at 90 percentage in 2015. Summit also appreciated the substantial reduction in the incidence of tuberculosis and malaria, including malaria-related mortality.

• Summit noted the progress made with empowerment of women through appointment to key decision making positions. Summit commended Member States that achieved high representation of women in both political and decision making positions and urged Member States to strive towards reaching the gender parity target at all levels.

• Summit also approved the following legal instruments:

a) Draft Agreement Amending the SADC Protocol Against Corruption

b) Draft Agreement Amending the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

c) Draft Agreement Amending Annex 1 to the SADC Protocol on Finance and Investment

d) Draft Annex on Cooperation in Financial Matters

e) Draft Agreement Amending Article 3(1)9c) of the SADC Trade Protocol

f) Draft Agreement on the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund

g) Draft Agreement Amending SADC Protocol on Gender and Development

• Summit also took stock of the status of signature, ratification and accession to SADC Protocol noting that twenty six (26) have entered into force, while the following have not yet come into force, and urged Member States that are yet to accede to these Protocols, to do so.

a) The Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation

b) The Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons

c) The Protocol on Trade in Services

d) The Protocol on Environmental Management for Sustainable Development

f) The Protocol on Employment and Labour

g) The new Protocol on the tribunal in the Southern African Development Community