South Africa Assumes Interim SADC Chairmanship Following Madagascar’s Withdrawal

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has appointed the Republic of South Africa as the Interim Chair of the regional bloc following Madagascar’s decision to relinquish its role as Chair due to recent political developments in the country.

 

The decision was announced during an Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, convened to address the leadership transition within the organization.

 

According to a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the Summit acknowledged the Republic of Madagascar’s withdrawal from the Chairmanship, citing domestic political developments that have affected its ability to effectively discharge its responsibilities.

 

In line with Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the SADC Treaty, the Summit confirmed that the Incoming Chairperson assumes interim leadership should the sitting Chair be unable to fulfil their duties. Consequently, the Republic of South Africa was appointed as Interim Chair of SADC until August 2026.

 

The SADC Secretariat has been tasked with engaging Member States, in line with the organization’s principle of rotation, to identify a new Incoming Chairperson (Deputy Chairperson) by 30 November 2025.

 

Despite the leadership change, the Summit reaffirmed that the region will continue implementing the theme adopted at the 45th SADC Summit held in August 2025 in Antananarivo, Madagascar — “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC” — until August 2026.

 

Leaders at the Summit expressed appreciation to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa for convening the Extraordinary Summit and accepting to steer the regional bloc during the interim period.

 

The meeting also welcomed the offer by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe to host selected SADC meetings during the interim period, in his capacity as the Outgoing Chairperson of SADC.

 

In his closing remarks, the new Chairperson expressed heartfelt gratitude to all Heads of State and Government for their participation and confidence in his leadership, pledging to advance the organization’s agenda of regional integration, industrialisation, and sustainable development.