The SADC Extraordinary Summit was held in Pretoria, South Africa on November 7, 2025, where leaders discussed Madagascar’s withdrawal as chair due to a coup. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken over as interim chair, with plans to identify a new deputy chairperson by November 30, 2025.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the regional body until the next SADC summit in August 2026. This decision follows Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the SADC Treaty, which state that the deputy chairperson assumes interim leadership when the sitting chair is unable to fulfill their duties.
The SADC has committed to advancing industrialization, agricultural transformation, and energy transition, as per the theme adopted at the 45th SADC Summit in Madagascar.
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has offered to host selected SADC meetings, demonstrating regional cooperation and leadership as outgoing SADC Chair. This gesture highlights Zimbabwe’s commitment to SADC goals.
The summit also condoled the loss of life in Madagascar and Tanzania, while congratulating newly elected leaders in Malawi, Seychelles, and Tanzania.
