MWE Correspondent
South Africa has taken over as the Interim Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), following Madagascar’s decision to step down due to domestic political unrest.
The announcement was made after an Extraordinary Virtual Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government on November 7, 2025.
The official communiqué indicated that Madagascar acknowledged its limited capacity to fulfill the responsibilities of the chairmanship amid internal challenges. In line with the SADC Treaty, South Africa will lead the 16-member bloc until August 2026.
The SADC Secretariat has been tasked with consulting member states to identify a new Chairperson by the end of November 2025, ensuring continuity in the bloc’s leadership while Madagascar addresses its domestic issues.
The summit, attended by leaders and representatives from all member states, also expressed condolences to families affected by recent protests in Madagascar and Tanzania, which led to fatalities and infrastructure damage. Regional leaders called for calm, stability, and constructive dialogue to prevent further unrest.
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SADC praised the newly elected Presidents of Malawi, Seychelles, and Tanzania—Arthur Peter Mutharika, Patrick Herminie, and Samia Suluhu Hassan—for their successful elections held between September and October 2025. This recognition reinforces SADC’s commitment to democratic governance across the region.
The summit also resolved to continue implementing its 2025–2026 theme: “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC.” The initiative emphasizes the bloc’s focus on economic growth, sustainable energy, and resilience in the face of global challenges.
With South Africa at the helm, SADC is expected to maintain momentum on regional integration, economic development, and political stability while addressing pressing challenges such as trade, energy reforms, and food security.
