Zuma concludes SADC visit

“South Africa has been unanimously elected by the SADC heads of state and government to chair the SADC organ on politics, defence and security co-operation,” it said in a statement.

“The organ is managed on a troika basis and is responsible for promoting peace and security in the region. The new troika members are South Africa (chair), Lesotho (deputy chair), and Namibia with Tanzania having concluded its tenure.”

Zuma said in the statement that South Africa had accepted the “responsibility entrusted to us by the summit”.

“Our capacity to chair the SADC organ is in line with our foreign policy, which champions the African agenda aimed at bringing about development, peace and security on the continent,” he said.

“We cannot achieve a developed, stable region without achieving peace and security.”

Zuma was accompanied to the summit by International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, State Security Minister David Mahlobo, and Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.

Zimbabwe is the new chair of SADC, taking over from the Republic of Malawi. Botswana was expected to host the next SADC summit in Gaborone in August 2015.

– Sapa