Sithembinkosi L Jiyane
Business Reporter
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is set for a leadership transition as Madagascar prepares to take over the bloc’s rotating chairmanship at the upcoming 45th SADC Summit in August 2025.
The regional body operates on a rotational leadership system, with the chairmanship shifting annually among member states to ensure equitable representation and strengthen regional cooperation.
Zimbabwe Passes the Baton
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who assumed the SADC chair in August 2024, will hand over to Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina at the summit.
Mnangagwa’s tenure focused on industrialization, food security, and peacebuilding, though his leadership was clouded by controversy following his disputed 2023 re-election.
A SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) report had flagged irregularities in Zimbabwe’s polls, citing lack of transparency and security sector interference. The findings were backed by the African Union and European Union, casting a shadow over Mnangagwa’s SADC chairmanship.
Madagascar’s Preparations in High Gear
A SADC Secretariat delegation, led by Deputy Executive Secretary for Corporate Affairs Dr. Judith Kateera, is currently in Madagascar to assess the country’s readiness.
The team has inspected key infrastructure, including the main international airport and designated hotels for dignitaries, while providing technical guidance on final upgrades.
On July 21, the delegation met Madagascar’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Rafaravavitafika Rasata, to discuss logistical arrangements. Further consultations with the Finance Minister are planned to align on budgetary and operational matters.
What to Expect Under Madagascar’s Leadership
President Rajoelina’s incoming chairmanship is expected to prioritize:
- Economic integration
- Trade facilitation
- Climate resilience
The summit will also review ongoing regional initiatives and adopt new strategies to advance SADC’s development agenda.
As customary, the Council of Ministers will meet beforehand to finalize working documents and set the summit’s agenda.
A System Built on Continuity
SADC’s Troika system – comprising the current, incoming, and outgoing chairs – ensures policy continuity and smooth leadership transitions.
“The rotational chairmanship remains central to SADC’s governance, promoting peaceful transitions and balanced regional representation,” a SADC official told Zim GBC News.
With weeks to go, Madagascar is fine-tuning preparations, reaffirming its commitment to a successful summit and a purposeful tenure at SADC’s helm.
ZIMGBC NEWS 2025