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O 140631Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5693
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
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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