COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF SADC HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT

07TH NOVEMBER 2025

VIRTUAL

  1. The Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), hereafter called “Summit”, was held virtually on 7th November 2025.
  2. Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government, or their representatives:

    Lesotho: The Right Honourable Prime Minister Mr Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane

    Madagascar: H.E. Col. Michael Randrianirina, President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar

    Malawi: H.E. President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika

    South Africa: H.E. President Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa

    Zambia: H.E. President Mr Hakainde Hichilema

    Zimbabwe: H.E. President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa

    Namibia: H.E. Ms Lucia Witbooi, Vice President

    United Republic of Tanzania: H.E. Dr Emmanuel John Nchimbi, Vice President

    Angola: H.E. Ambassador Téte António, Minister of External Relations

    Botswana: Hon. Dr Phenyo Butale, Minister of International Relations

    Eswatini: Honourable Senator Pholile Shakantu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

    Democratic Republic of Congo: His Excellency Floribert Anzuluni Isiloketshi, Minister of Regional Integration

    Mozambique: H.E. Mr Cristóvão Artur Chume, Minister of National Defence

    Mauritius: Hon. Mr Hambyrajen Narsinghen, Junior Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade

    Seychelles: Ambassador Mr Ian Madeleine, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs

  3. Summit was also attended by Ministers from the SADC Member States, and the Executive Secretary of SADC.
  4. Summit extended its sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones during the protests that occurred in the Republic of Madagascar in September and, more recently, in the United Republic of Tanzania. It expressed deep regret that these events resulted, not only in the loss of life, but also in the destruction of public property and critical infrastructure in both nations.
  5. Summit congratulated His Excellency Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi; His Excellency Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of the Republic of Seychelles; and Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, on their elections held in September and October 2025, respectively.
  6. Summit acknowledged the decision by the Republic of Madagascar to relinquish her role as Chair of SADC, following recent political developments that have impacted her capacity to discharge the responsibilities of the position.
  7. Summit acknowledged that, in accordance with Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the SADC Treaty, the Incoming Chairperson (Deputy Chairperson) shall assume interim leadership should the sitting Chair be unable to fulfil their duties. In this regard, the Republic of South Africa was appointed as Interim Chair of SADC until August 2026. The SADC Secretariat will engage Member States, in line with the principle of rotation, to identify a new Incoming Chairperson (Deputy Chairperson) by 30th November 2025.
  8. Summit agreed that SADC will continue implementing the theme adopted at 45th SADC Summit in August 2025 in Antananarivo, Republic of Madagascar, titled “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC” until August 2026.
  9. Summit expressed its appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa for convening the Extraordinary Summit and accepting to chair the regional body.
  10. Summit welcomed the offer by His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, to host selected SADC Meetings in Zimbabwe during the interim period, in his capacity as the Outgoing Chairperson of SADC.
  11. The Chairperson of SADC expressed heartfelt gratitude to all Heads of State and Government for participating in the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, and for the honour of electing him to lead the SADC region.

Done on 7th November 2025

Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.

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