Zambian President Hichilema elected as SADC Chairperson

President Hichilema has been elected as the incoming Chairperson for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), subject to confirmation.

This was announced during a virtue Extraordinary Summit of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, Chaired by South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the current Interim Chairperson of the region.

President Ramaphosa congratulated President Hichilema on his election and pledged to work closely with him in fostering peace and development in the region.

Meanwhile, SADC has deployed a panel of Elders and a mediation reference group to Madagascar, which the bloc says demonstrates SADC's collective commitment to a peaceful and stable region.

President Ramaphosa said the Mission will engage with all stakeholders in Madagascar to ensure there is an inclusive process leading up to the holding of fair and credible elections.

He urged the people of Madagascar to seize the opportunity to deeply reflect on the challenges facing that country.

Ramaphosa appealed to the people of Madagascar to choose the path of peace, unity, reconciliation and development.

He said SADC remains committed to continue and remain engaged in the political security situation in Madagascar, adding that SADC welcomes the restoration of calm in Madagascar.

The Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government was convened to review the report of the SADC fact-finding mission on the political situation in the Republic of Madagascar and also to elect an interim SADC Chairperson.