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Mugabe, Zuma Set to Vacate Top SADC Posts


FILE: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe (L) gestures as South Africa's President Jacob Zuma looks on at the end of a press briefing at the Union building in Pretoria, April 8, 2015.
FILE: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe (L) gestures as South Africa's President Jacob Zuma looks on at the end of a press briefing at the Union building in Pretoria, April 8, 2015.

President Robert Mugabe and South African president Jacob Zuma are next week expected to relinquish their influential positions at the helm of the 15 member Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The leaders will meet in Gaborone, Botswana, for their 35th Ordinary Summit from 17 to 18 August under the theme “Accelerating industrialization of SADC economies through transformation of natural endowment and improved human capital”.

Botswana president Ian Khama is set to become the next SADC chair when Mr. Mugabe vacates the position.

Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili is expected to take over from Mr. Zuma as the chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. But Lesotho’s opposition parties have appealed to SADC to deny Lesotho the chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

What is President Mugabe’s legacy after a year leading the regional bloc?

Political analyst Joy Mabenge, regional coordinator of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, says Mr. Mugabe has failed to deliver.

But professor Charity Manyeruke of the University of Zimbabwe’s Political Science Department and Zanu-PF Women’s League administration secretary, said Mr. Mugabe successfully executed his duties as SADC chair.

More details to follow …

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