Statement by the SADC Double Troika

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DRAFT COMMUNIQUE

SUMMIT OF THE DOUBLE TROIKA PLUS TROOP CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES,

DRC AND MADAGASCAR

29 JANUARY 2015

ADDIS ABABA, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

 

 

  1. The Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Double Troika Plus Troop Contributing Countries, DRC and Madagascar was held in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on 29 January 2015.
  1. Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government or their representatives:

Zimbabwe                    H.E. Robert Gabriel Mugabe

South Africa                H.E. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma

Namibia                       H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba

Botswana                     Hon. Dr. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs

D.R. Congo                  Mr Raymond Tshibanda, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Lesotho                        Hon. Chief Joane Moloto, Minister of Home Affairs

Malawi                         Hon. Dr George Chaponda, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Madagascar                  Mr. Setilahy Ludovic, Charge d’ Affaires

Tanzania                      Hon. Mahadhi J Maslim, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

  1. Summit was also attended by the Executive Secretary of SADC, H. E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax.

 

  1. Summit considered the political and security situation in the Region, in particular the latest developments in the Republic of Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Kingdom of Lesotho.
  1. Summit endorsed the appointment of a Special Envoy to be assisted by a senior jurist in order to help with the harmonisation of Articles 20, 25 and 45 of Madagascar Roadmap. Summit urged all the political and security stakeholders in Madagascar to work together towards the process of national reconciliation.
  1. Summit noted with great concern the failure by the FDLR to comply with their own commitment to voluntarily disarm and surrender before the expiry of the deadline of six month which expired on the 2nd January 2015, as such, military action is inevitable.
  1. Summit underlined the urgency for MONUSCO, African Union, SADC and ICGLR to effectively mobilize resources to facilitate through DDRRR the voluntary repatriation back to Rwanda of the FDLR elements, and identify third Countries of resettlement for those not willing to be repatriated.
  1. Summit commended the signatories and guarantors of the Peace and Security Cooperation Framework on the DRC and the Region for supporting the implementation of the framework agreement.
  1. Summit commended the Government of DRC for its commitment to the Nairobi Declaration and urged the International Community to support the implementation of the Nairobi Declaration and the Peace and Security Cooperation Framework.
  1. Summit condemned in the strongest terms the atrocities being perpetrated by the ADF in the area of Beni in eastern DRC.
  1. Summit commended FARDC and MONUSCO/IB for their efforts in neutralizing the ADF and sent condolences to the bereaved families in Beni Territory and North Kivu Province, and the government and people of DRC.
  1. Summit welcomed progress made by the Facilitator and Stakeholders in the Lesotho Dialogue particularly the Signing of the Maseru Facilitation Declaration, Opening of Parliament, The Maseru Security Accord, Electoral Pledge, and the MOU on Joint Cooperation between the Lesotho Defence Forces (LDF) and the Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS).
  1. Summit noted progress made regarding the preparedness of the Lesotho Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) ahead of elections scheduled for 28 February 2015.
  1. Summit commended H.E. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa for his exemplary work towards restoring political stability, peace and security in the Kingdom of Lesotho, and H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa for his excellent facilitation in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
  1. Summit commended the Lesotho stakeholders for contributing towards progress thus far in SADC facilitation efforts.
  1. Summit commended the Republics of Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe for availing dedicated officers to support the SADC Peace and Security Assessment Mission in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
  1. Summit extended message of condolences and sympathy to the affected peoples Republics of Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar caused by floods which have led to loss of life and properties. Summit urged SADC Member States to support the affected Member States by providing humanitarian assistance, and called upon the international community to support the affected Member States in emergency and relief operations.

 

Done in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
29 January 2015

Source: www.sadc.int