His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique, on 17th August, 2020 assumed the Chairpersonship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from H.E. Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and pledged to take forward the regional development and integration agenda during his one-year tenure.

In his acceptance speech at the opening of the virtual 40th SADC Summit, H.E. Filipe Nyusi said he was honoured to be entrusted with the Chairpersonship of SADC, mindful of the task of fulfilling the objectives of the regional body with the support of all the Member States.

Reflecting on the SADC Summit theme, “40 Years Building Peace and Security, and Promoting Development and Resilience in the Face of Global Challenges”, H.E. President Nyusi said SADC is proud of the progress it has made since its founding 40 years ago, particularly that the achievements have been made in the context of immense challenges, such as climate change, the economic and financial crisis, transnational organized crime, extremism and terrorism as well as diseases such as Malaria, Cholera, HIV and AIDS and Ebola, among others.

The Outgoing SADC Chairperson, H.E. Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania highlighted that, with the cooperation of the SADC Member States and the SADC Secretariat, a number of milestones were achieved during his tenure as SADC Chairperson, notwithstanding the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Outgoing Chairperson cited as milestones the finalisation of the SADC Vision 2020 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 as well as the adoption of regional Guidelines on Harmonization and Facilitation of Cross Border Transport of Goods in the SADC region. H.E. Dr Magufuli congratulated H.E. President Nyusi for being elected SADC Chairperson, and pledged his total support in pursuit of a common development agenda for the region.

In her introductory remarks, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Her Excellency Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax paid tribute to the Outgoing SADC Chairperson and the Outgoing Chairperson of the Organ, H.E. Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa for their commitment and leadership during their tenure. On COVID-19 pandemic, H.E. Dr Tax said, while the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the already weak and anaemic economic situation in the region, it will not overshadow the achievements that SADC has attained in the past 40 years.

The 40th SADC Summit welcomed H.E. Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, who was elected as President of Malawi in June, 2020 and the Right Hon Dr. Moeketsi Majoro who was appointed as Prime Minister of the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho in May 2020

Following the 40th SADC Summit, the new SADC leadership is as follows; H.E. President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique is the SADC Chairperson, H.E. Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi is the Incoming SADC Chairperson and H.E. Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli is the Outgoing SADC Chairperson. The Troika Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation comprises, H.E. Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana as the Chairperson, H.E. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa is the Incoming Chairperson of the Organ and H.E. Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe is the Outgoing Chairperson of the Organ.