Saturday, December 5, 2009

Communiqué Summit of the Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Maputo, Republic of Mozambique

source: Republic of Botswana (2/12/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 28 of 2009
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery

C3) 5/11/09: COMMUNIQUÉ SUMMIT OF THE TROIKA OF THE ORGAN ON POLITICS, DEFENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION, MAPUTO, REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE

1. Summit of the Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation met in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique, on 05 November 2009 to consider the political and security situation in the region.

2. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Armando Emilio Guebuza, Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and President of the Republic of Mozambique.

3. The Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government or their representatives:

Mozambique - H.E Armando Emilio Guebuza
Swaziland - His Majesty, King Mswati III
South Africa - H.E. President Jacob G. Zuma
Zimbabwe - H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe
Zambia - Hon. Dr. Kalombo T. Mwansa, Minister of Defence; and
DRC - H.E. Bene L. M´Poko, Ambassador accredited to the Republic of South Africa.

4. Summit was also attended by:

The Right Honourable Morgan Tsvangirai - Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Hon. Professor Arthur Mutambara - Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Hon. Thokozani Khupe - Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz A. Salomao

5. In his opening remarks, His Excellency President Armando Emilio Guebuza, Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and President of the Republic of Mozambique welcomed all delegates to the meeting. His Excellency re-affirmed SADC's commitment to finding a lasting solution to the political and security challenges in Madagascar, Lesotho and to the implementation of the Global Political Agreement in Zimbabwe.

6. Summit noted with appreciation the progress made by the Joint Mediation Team on Madagascar led by SADC Facilitator H.E Joaquim Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique in promoting dialogue among the four political leaders in order to restore the constitutional normalcy in Madagascar.

7. Summit urged the four leaders of the Mouvances in Madagascar to fully commit themselves to the dialogue and secure a lasting solution to the political situation in the country.

8. Summit noted a report presented by the Ministerial Committee of the Organ Troika on the progress in the political dialogue in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Among others, Summit noted with appreciation the role of the Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) in facilitating dialogue amongst the Basotho political stakeholders and urged that:

(i) the Organ Troika work out the modalities on how to collaborate with CCL in an effort to finding a lasting solution to the post-electoral matters in Lesotho;
(ii) the parties to the dialogue to fully commit themselves to finding a lasting solution to the post-electoral matters and bring them to finality; and
(iii) the Lesotho Electoral Law be amended expeditiously.

9. Summit also noted a report presented by the MCO Troika on progress made on the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in Zimbabwe.

10. Summit further noted the Inclusive Government’s achievements made in the political, social and economic fronts during the nine months since its inception. Some of the notable achievements are:

(i) peace and stability in the country; and
(ii) positive progress on economic recovery.

11. In view of the above, Summit urged the following:

(i) the parties should fully comply with the spirit and letter of the GPA and SADC Summit decisions of 27 January 2009;
(ii) the parties should not allow the situation to deteriorate any further;
(iii) the parties to engage in a dialogue in order to find a lasting solution to the outstanding issues towards the full implementation of the GPA;
(iv) the Facilitator (the Republic of South Africa) on behalf of the Troika should remain seized with the developments on the implementation of the GPA;
(v) the MCO Troika should continue monitoring the progress closely and report to the Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation; and
(vi) the international community to lift all forms of sanctions on Zimbabwe.

12. Summit decided as follows:

(i) the political parties signatory to the GPA should engage in dialogue with immediate effect within fifteen (15) days not beyond thirty (30) days;
(ii) the dialogue should include all the outstanding issues emanating from the implementation of GPA and SADC Communiqué of 27 January 2009;
(iii) the Facilitator should evaluate progress and report back to the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

13. In view of the above Summit decisions, the MDC-T announced that its partial disengagement is suspended.

14. Summit congratulated the people of Botswana for the fair, orderly and peaceful general elections held on the 16th September 2009. Summit also congratulated His Excellency President Ian Khama on his election.

15. Summit commended the people of the Republic of Mozambique for holding its Parliamentary, presidential and Provincial Assembly elections.

16. Summit expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the people and government of the Republic of Mozambique for its warm reception and hospitality accorded to delegates.

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