COMMUNIQUE EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF THE SADC HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT: PRESIDENTIAL GUEST HOUSE, PRETORIA, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA 26-27 JANUARY2009

1. The Extraordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government met at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa on 26 - 27 January 2009. The Extraordinary Summit met to review the implementation of the Zimbabwe Global Political Agreement.

2. The Extraordinary Summit was chaired by RE. Kgalema Motlanthe, Chairperson of SADC and President of the Republic of South Africa.

3. The Extraordinary Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government or their representatives:

Botswana

H.E. President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama

Lesotho

The Right Honourable Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili

Mozambique

H. E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza, Deputy Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

Namibia

H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba

South Africa

H. E. President Kgalema Motlanthe Chairperson of SADC

Swaziland

N.M. King Mswati ill, Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

United Republic of Tanzania

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete

Zambia

H.E. President Rupiah Banda

Zimbabwe

H.E. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe

Angola

Hon Assuncao Dos Anjos, Minister of External Affairs

DRC

Hon Alexis Thambwe Muamba, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Seychelles

Hon Patrick Pillay, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Malawi

Hon George Chaporida, Minister of Local Govern merit and Rural Development

Madagascar

Hon Dr Denis Andriamandroso, Madagascar Ambassador to South
Africa

Mauritius

Mr Anund Priyay Neewoor, GOSK, Secretary for Foreign Affairs

4. The meeting was also attended by His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, former President of the Republic of South Africa and the SADC Facilitator on the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue, Leaders of MDC Formations, Right Honourable Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister Designate and Professor Welshman Ncube, representing Professor Arthur Mutambara, the Deputy Prime Minister Designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomao.

5. In his opening remarks, His Excellency President Kgalema Motlanthe, Chairperson of SADC and President of the Republic of South Africa welcomed all delegates to the meeting and re-affirmed SADC'S commitment to finding a lasting solution to the implementation of the Zimbabwe Global Political Agreement.

6. The Extraordinary Summit noted that the people of Zimbabwe are faced with difficult challenges and suffering that can only be addressed once an Inclusive Government is in place.

7. In view of the above, the Extraordinary Summit decided as follows:

(i) the Parties shall endeavour to cause Parliament to pass the Constitutional Amendment 19 by 5 February 2009;

(ii) the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers shall be sworn in by 11 February 2009;

(iii) the Ministers and Deputy Ministers shall be sworn in on 13 February 2009, which will conclude the process of the formation of the Inclusive Government;

(iv) the Joint-Mon ito ring Implementation Comm thee (JOM iC)1 provided for in the Global Political Agreement shall be activated immediately. The first meeting of JOMIC shall be convened by the Facilitator on 3D January 2009 and shall, among other things, elect the chairpersons;

(v) the allocation ‘of ministerial portfolios endorsed by the SADC Extraordinary Summit held on 9 November 2008 shall be reviewed six (6) months after the inauguration of the Inclusive Government;

(vi) the appointments of the Reserve Bank Governor and the Attorney General will be dealt with by the Inclusive Government after its formation; and

(vii) the negotiators of the parties shall meet immediately to consider the National Security Bill submitted by the MDC-T as well as the formula for the distribution of the Provincial Governors;

8. The Extraordinary Summit expressed its appreciation for the efforts of His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, Former President of the Republic of South Africa and the Facilitator of the Political Dialogue on Zimbabwe in helping to find an amicable solution to challenges facing the Republic of Zimbabwe and encouraged him to continue with his facilitation efforts.

9. The Extraordinary Summit commended the political parties to the Global Political Agreement for their openness and constructive engagement in finding a lasting solution to the challenges facing Zimbabwe.

10. SADC shall remain seized with the Zimbabwe situation in keeping with its obligations as guarantor of the Global Political Agreement.

11. The Extraordinary Summit directed the Chairperson of SADC to present to the African Union at its forthcoming Summit a progress report on the implementation of the Sharm - El - Sheik Resolution.

12. The Extraordinary Summit received a brief on the prevailing security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and supports the Government efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict in the Eastern part of the country. The Government of the DRC expressed its gratitude to SADC for the support thus far rendered.

13. The Extraordinary Summit also urged the International Community to continue providing the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo with humanitarian assistance.

14. His Excellency President Kgalema Motlanthe officially closed the Extraordinary Summit, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa

Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, January 27 2009