Antananarivo, Madagascar – The Southern. african Development Community (SADC) has elected Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina as the new chairperson taking over from Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The chairmanship of SADC will be held by Rajoelina for a year.
Mnangagwa left the chairmanship of the regional body when armed conflict is still ongoing in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between government forces and the M23 rebels.
The SADC and East African Community (EAC) are still working find peace in eastern DRC. The two bodies appointed five facilitators to help fighting parties stop the war in DRC.
Meanwhile,opposition leader Job Sikhala said the end of Mnangagwa’s chairmanship is a relief to activists in Zimbabwe who were harassed when the country took chairmanship of SADC.
”The rotational SADC Chairmanship has come and gone to Madagascar this time around. We have not heard the drama of people getting persecuted towards the Summit in Madagascar. Last year in Zimbabwe, hundreds were arrested, starting with Jameson Timba and the 78 in Avondale,” Sikhala wrote on his X platform.
”This was followed by the torture of Robson Chere, Namatai Kwekweza, and others at the Robert Mugabe International Airport. Followed again by the arrest of my friend Jacob Ngarivhume and others. Many citizens were terrorised during the hosting of that event. It is the unforgettable period where Zimbabweans suffered in the name of SADC. Congratulations, Madagascar, for taking away that which brought unforgettable memories and suffering to many Zimbabweans!!!.”