Double Troika Summit 24 April 2018 Luanda

COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE DOUBLE TROIKA SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC)

LUANDA, REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA

24TH APRIL 2018

1. The Double Troika Summit (Summit) of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held in Luanda, in the Republic of Angola on 24th April 2018.

2. The Summit was officially opened by H.E President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Chairperson of SADC.

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

·         South Africa: H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chairperson of SADC

·         Namibia: H.E President Dr Hage G. Geingob, Incoming Chairperson of SADC

·         eSwatini: H.M. King Mswati III, Outgoing Chairperson of SADC

·         Angola: HE João Lourenço, Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

·         Zambia: H.E. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Incoming Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

·         United Republic of Tanzania: H.E. Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan, representing the Outgoing Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

4. Summit was also attended by H.E Joseph Kabange Kabila, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); the Right Hon Prime Minister Dr Motsoahae Thomas Thabane of the Kingdom of Lesotho; and the Executive Secretary of SADC, H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax.

5. Summit received Reports on the implementation of SADC decisions in the Kingdom of Lesotho and commended the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho and all stakeholders for the notable efforts in implementing SADC decisions.

6. Summit endorsed the Roadmap for Reforms and National Dialogue, and urged the Government of Lesotho to prioritize the Constitutional and Security Sector reforms, which should be completed by May 2019, and a progress report to be presented to Summit in August 2018.

7. Summit called upon all political parties and stakeholders in the Kingdom of Lesotho to accord the needed seriousness to the National Dialogue and the reforms processes, and find lasting solutions to the political and security challenges facing the Kingdom.

8. Summit congratulated H.E Cyril Ramaphosa on his election as President of the Republic of South Africa, and approved the appointment by the facilitator of a high profile personality to support His Excellency Ramaphosa as the Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho on a continuous basis.

9. Summit commended the Oversight Committee for undertaking their mandate with diligence, and urged the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho to urgently implement the recommendations of the Expanded Oversight Committee.

10. Summit noted the progress made in the deployment of SADC Preventive Mission in the Kingdom of Lesotho (SAPMIL), commended all Member States who contributed personnel and equipment to SAPMIL, and commended SAPMIL personnel for their professionalism and commitment.

11. Summit approved the extension of the SAPMIL for a further period of six months, from May 2018 to November 2018.

12. Summit noted the progress made in the implementation of the December 2016 Political Agreement, and in the electoral calendar in the DRC, for the Elections which are scheduled to take place on the 23rd of December 2018, and Summit commended the Government of the DRC, Political Stakeholders, and the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) for the progress made.

13. Summit called on all stakeholders in the DRC to remain committed to the implementation of the electoral calendar and ensure a conducive environment for the holding of peaceful credible elections.

14. Summit further noted the substantive progress made in DRC and revisited its decision to deploy a SADC Special Envoy to the DRC, and expressed its appreciation to the Republic of Namibia and His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, the former President of the Republic of Namibia, for his readiness and acceptance to serve as the SADC Special Envoy to the DRC.

15. Summit assured the DRC on its continued support to the electoral process and to the enhancement of political stability, peace and security.

16. Summit noted the unfolding developments in the Republic of Madagascar and condemned the loss of lives and destruction of property, and urged the Government, political parties, and the citizens of Madagascar to remain calm, exercise restraint, and take measures to avoid the escalation of the political and security tensions.

17. Summit approved the urgent deployment of the SADC Former Special Envoy to Madagascar, His Excellency Joaquim Chissano, the former President of the Republic of Mozambique, to be assisted by the Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ and the Secretariat to facilitate a National Dialogue aimed at the de-escalation of the political tensions and reaching consensus on the electoral process.

18. Summit mandated the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to engage the African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN), with a view to developing a common approach for assisting Madagascar.

19. Summit commended H.E João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, the President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the Organ on Politics Defence and Security Cooperation for hosting the Summit and for the warm hospitality extended to all the delegates.

Done at Luanda, Republic of Angola, 24th April 2018 4