2008 FIRST EXTRA-ORDINARY SADC SUMMIT OF HEADS

2. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency, President Dr Levy Patrick

Mwanawasa S.C, Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community

(SADC) and President of the Republic of Zambia.

3. The Extra-ordinary Summit was attended by the following Heads of State

and Government:

Zambia   H.E. President Dr. Levy P. Mwanawasa,

Chairperson of SADC

Angola   H.E President José Eduardo dos Santos

Chairperson of Organ on Politics, Defense and  Security Cooperation

Botswana   H.E. President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama

DRC    H.E. President Joseph Kabila

Mozambique  H.E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza

Namibia   H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba

South Africa  H.E. President Thabo Mbeki

Malawi   H.E. President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika

Kingdom of  Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Lesao Lehohla

Lesotho

Mauritius   Hon. James B. David, Minister for Local Government

Kingdom of   Hon. Charles S. Magongo, Minister for Public

Swaziland   Service and Information

 United Republic  Hon. Seif A. Iddi, Deputy Minister for

of Tanzania  Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Zimbabwe   Hon. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, Minister of Rural Housing and

Social Amenities

Madagascar  H.E. Ambassador Dr. Dennis Andriamandroso

4. In his opening remarks, the SADC Chairperson welcomed their Excellencies,

Heads of State and Government to Lusaka, Zambia and indicated that the

purpose of the Extra-ordinary Summit was to discuss the recent events in

Zimbabwe following the elections in Zimbabwe in an open, objective and

honest manner. In this regard, SADC re-affirmed its commitment to assist the

parties to deal with the current situation.

5. The Extra-ordinary Summit was held in line with SADC objectives to

promote common political values and systems transmitted through institutions

that are democratic, legitimate and effective to facilitate the

consolidation of democracy, peace, security and stability.

6. The Summit welcomed and congratulated H.E. Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian

Khama, President of Botswana on his assumption of office.

7. The Extra-ordinary Summit noted and appreciated the briefing by H.E

President José Eduardo dos Santos, Chairperson of the Organ on Politics,

Defense and Security Cooperation on the Report of the SADC Electoral

Observer Mission deployed in Zimbabwe during the election.

8. The Summit noted that the Report of the Chairperson of the Organ, on the

elections in Zimbabwe indicated that the electoral process was acceptable to

all parties. Summit commended the Chairperson of the Organ for the manner in

which the Observer Mission was handled. At the time of holding the

Extra-ordinary Summit, the results of the Presidential election had not been

announced by the election authorities.

9. The Summit commended the people of Zimbabwe for the peaceful and orderly

manner in which they conducted themselves before, during and after the

elections.

10. The Summit commended the Government of Zimbabwe for ensuring that

elections were conducted in a peaceful environment.

11. The Summit congratulated and thanked the SADC Facilitator, President

Mbeki and his Facilitation Team, for the role they had played in helping to

contribute to the successful holding of elections. Summit requested

President Mbeki to continue in his role as Facilitator on Zimbabwe on the

outstanding issues.

12. The Extra-ordinary Summit noted and appreciated the brief by the

delegation of the Government of Zimbabwe on the elections held in Zimbabwe.

The Government of Zimbabwe indicated that the elections were held in a free

and peaceful environment. The Government expressed concerns at instances of

inaccuracy of some figures relating to the House of Assembly, Senate and

Presidential elections.

13. Member States, with the exception of Zimbabwe, held informal

consultations with Presidential candidates, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai of the

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and independent candidate, Dr. Simba

Makoni. Both, opposition leaders confirmed that the elections were held in a

free, fair and peaceful environment. Whilst they do not have a problem with

the election results of the Senatorial, Parliamentary and Local Authority

elections, they expressed concerns on the delay in announcing the results as

well as lack of their participation in the verification process of the

Presidential results currently being conducted by the Zimbabwe Electoral

Commission (ZEC).

14. The Summit urged the electoral authorities in Zimbabwe that verification

and release of results are expeditiously done in accordance with the due

process of law.  Summit also urged all the parties in the electoral process

in Zimbabwe to accept the results when they are announced.  By due process

of law, Summit understood to mean that:

(a)  the verification and counting must be done in the presence of

candidates and/or their agents, if they so wish, who must all sign the

authenticity of such verification and counting.

(b) SADC offers to send its Election Observer Mission who would be present

throughout such verification and counting.

15. If such verification and counting makes it necessary for the parties to

go for a run-off, the Government is urged to ensure that the run-off

elections are held in a secure environment. SADC offers to send an Election

Observer Mission

16. The Summit appeals to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to ensure strict

compliance with the rule of law and SADC Principles and Guidelines governing

democratic elections.

17. The Summit expressed its deep appreciation for the gracious hospitality

extended to them by the Government of Zambia.

Done at Mulungushi International Conference Centre

Lusaka, Zambia.