By HRH Princess Eugene Majuru
ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR ( News of The South) – In a significant regional development, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially concluded his term as the Chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), handing over the chairmanship to the President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina. The formal handover took place at the 45th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, which was held in Antananarivo, Madagascar, under the theme “Advancing industrialization, agricultural transformation and energy transition for a resilient SADC.”
President Mnangagwa’s year-long tenure, which began in August 2024, was marked by a focus on consolidating regional peace, security, and economic integration. During his chairmanship, Zimbabwe hosted the 44th SADC Summit in Harare, where the theme “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC” was adopted. His leadership saw an emphasis on diplomacy and a call to end sanctions against developing nations. As he passed the torch, officials from Zimbabwe highlighted the country’s success in addressing regional conflicts, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and in promoting infrastructure development.
The Handover Ceremony
The handover ceremony was a central feature of the 45th SADC Summit. The transfer of the chairmanship, which operates on a rotational basis, is a key part of the SADC’s governance structure. It involves a formal process where the outgoing chairperson delivers a final address, outlining the achievements and challenges of their term, and the incoming chairperson accepts the mantle of leadership. This symbolic act signifies the continuity and shared responsibility among member states. The new SADC chairman, President Andry Rajoelina, will now be at the helm of the bloc, steering its agenda for the next year.
Roles and Responsibilities of the SADC Chairman
The role of the SADC Chairman is crucial for the overall policy direction and functioning of the community. The chairperson oversees the highest level of SADC’s governance structure, which is the Summit of Heads of State or Government. This role is not merely ceremonial; the SADC Chairman has the mandate to provide policy direction, guide the SADC Secretariat, and sign legal instruments during their tenure. The chairmanship operates within a “Troika” system, which includes the current, incoming, and immediate past chairpersons, allowing for quick decision-making on behalf of the bloc and providing policy direction between regular summits. This system also operates at the level of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, the Council of Ministers, and the Standing Committee of Senior Officials.
A Look Back: Robert Mugabe’s SADC Chairmanship
The handover also brought to mind a previous era of Zimbabwean leadership within the regional body. The late former President Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades, also served as SADC Chairman. He assumed the role in August 2014, a year after winning a disputed election. His chairmanship was seen by many as a form of regional recognition and a symbolic gesture by the bloc. During his tenure, Mugabe called for SADC to reduce its reliance on external funding and to focus on its own regional integration agenda. His time as chairman, while controversial to some, underscored the political significance of the position and its ability to shape the regional conversation.
As Madagascar takes the lead, the SADC region looks to President Rajoelina to guide the bloc through its next phase, focusing on the critical issues of industrialization, agricultural transformation, and energy transition to build a more resilient and prosperous Southern Africa.
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