Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LUSAKA424
2008-04-14 06:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:
FULL TEXT OF SADC SUMMIT COMMUNIQUE
how-toVZCZCXRO6678 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHLS #0424/01 1050631 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 140631Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5693 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LUSAKA 000424
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/FO, AF/S, AND AF/PD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SADC ZA ZI
SUBJECT: FULL TEXT OF SADC SUMMIT COMMUNIQUE
REF: LUSAKA 423
On April 12-13, the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
held an Extraordinary Heads of State Summit to discuss the
Zimbabwean presidential elections. The complete text of the
communique, released on April 13, is included below. By septels,
Post will provide additional reporting on the Summit.
(begin text)
SADC COMMUNIQUE
2008 FIRST EXTRA-ORDINARY SADC SUMMIT
OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT
13 APRIL 2008
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Para 1
The Extra-ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government or
their representatives of SADC met in Lusaka, Zambia to discuss the
political developments in Zimbabwe following the recent
Presidential, Senatorial, National Assembly and Local Authorities
elections' held on 29 March 2008.
Para 2
The meeting was chaired by His Excellency, President Dr Levi Patrick
Mwanawasa S.C, Chairperson of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) and President of the Republic of Zambia.
Para 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 Jose 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
Lesotho: Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Lesao Lehohla
Mauritius: Hon. James B. David
Minister for Local Government
Swaziland: Hon. Charles S. Magongo
Minister for Public Service and Information
Tanzania: Hon. Seif A. Iddi
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation
Zimbabwe: Hon. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa
Minister of Rural Housing and Social Amenities
Madagascar: H.E. Ambassador Dr. Dennis Andriamandroso
Para 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.
Para 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.
Para 6
The Summit welcomed and congratulated H.E. Lt. General Seretse Khama
Ian Khama, President of Botswana on his assumption of office.
Para 7
The Extra-ordinary Summit noted and appreciated the briefing by H.E.
President Jose 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.
Para 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
LUSAKA 00000424 002.2 OF 002
Presidential election had not been announced by the election
authorities.
Para 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.
Para 10
The Summit commended the Government of Zimbabwe for ensuring that
elections were conducted in a peaceful environment.
Para 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.
Para 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.
Para 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).
Para 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 Electoral Observer Mission who would be
present throughout such verification and counting.
Para 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.
Para 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.
Para 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
13 April 2008
(end text)
MARTINEZ
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/FO, AF/S, AND AF/PD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SADC ZA ZI
SUBJECT: FULL TEXT OF SADC SUMMIT COMMUNIQUE
REF: LUSAKA 423
On April 12-13, the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
held an Extraordinary Heads of State Summit to discuss the
Zimbabwean presidential elections. The complete text of the
communique, released on April 13, is included below. By septels,
Post will provide additional reporting on the Summit.
(begin text)
SADC COMMUNIQUE
2008 FIRST EXTRA-ORDINARY SADC SUMMIT
OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT
13 APRIL 2008
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Para 1
The Extra-ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government or
their representatives of SADC met in Lusaka, Zambia to discuss the
political developments in Zimbabwe following the recent
Presidential, Senatorial, National Assembly and Local Authorities
elections' held on 29 March 2008.
Para 2
The meeting was chaired by His Excellency, President Dr Levi Patrick
Mwanawasa S.C, Chairperson of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) and President of the Republic of Zambia.
Para 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 Jose 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
Lesotho: Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Lesao Lehohla
Mauritius: Hon. James B. David
Minister for Local Government
Swaziland: Hon. Charles S. Magongo
Minister for Public Service and Information
Tanzania: Hon. Seif A. Iddi
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation
Zimbabwe: Hon. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa
Minister of Rural Housing and Social Amenities
Madagascar: H.E. Ambassador Dr. Dennis Andriamandroso
Para 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.
Para 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.
Para 6
The Summit welcomed and congratulated H.E. Lt. General Seretse Khama
Ian Khama, President of Botswana on his assumption of office.
Para 7
The Extra-ordinary Summit noted and appreciated the briefing by H.E.
President Jose 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.
Para 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
LUSAKA 00000424 002.2 OF 002
Presidential election had not been announced by the election
authorities.
Para 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.
Para 10
The Summit commended the Government of Zimbabwe for ensuring that
elections were conducted in a peaceful environment.
Para 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.
Para 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.
Para 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).
Para 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 Electoral Observer Mission who would be
present throughout such verification and counting.
Para 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.
Para 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.
Para 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
13 April 2008
(end text)
MARTINEZ