Following Madagascar’s withdrawal, which is undergoing an internal political transition, South Africa has been appointed by the heads of state and government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to serve as interim chair of the regional organisation until August 2026. This decision was confirmed at an extraordinary virtual summit held on 7 November. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will now lead the work of the SADC, in accordance with Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the regional treaty. These articles stipulate that in the event of the incumbent chairperson being unable to perform their duties, the deputy chairperson shall take over on an interim basis. The final communiqué issued in Pretoria states that the summit took note of Madagascar’s decision ‘to relinquish its role as chair of the SADC, following recent political developments that have affected its ability to fulfil the responsibilities of this position.
South Africa will serve as the interim chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) until August 2026, following Madagascar’s withdrawal due to its internal political transition. This decision, which sees South African President Cyril Ramaphosa assume leadership, was ratified at an extraordinary virtual summit on November 7. The appointment aligns with Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the Regional Treaty, which stipulate that the Vice-President acts as interim chairperson if the incumbent is unable to fulfill their duties. The summit acknowledged Madagascar’s decision to « relinquish its role as chair of the SADC, following recent political developments that have affected its ability to fulfill the responsibilities of this position. » Madagascar had taken on the rotating SADC presidency on August 17, under President Andry Rajoelina’s administration, after the 45th Summit of Heads of State and Government.
We gathered today to deliberate on the agenda before us, and to affirm our shared commitment to peace, stability and prosperity of our region. SADC has always been a community founded on the venues of unity, peace, mutual benefit, sovereign equality. As these very venues are being tested by a convergence of challenges, we are called upon to act with both urgency and foresight to stabilize the present while safeguarding the future.
Cyril RAMAPHOSA, President of the Republic of South Africa
On November 1st, Malagasy authorities announced their withdrawal from the SADC presidency. They cited a « power vacuum » as ruled by the High Constitutional Court on October 14th, 2025, and a need to prioritize national institutional and socio-economic recovery. Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, sworn in as President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar on October 17th, asserted the legitimacy of this transitional process. His newly formed government comprises 29 ministers, led by a civilian prime minister, and is committed to institutional reform, national cohesion, and long-term stability.
The issue that is on our agenda could not wait for ordinary meetings of the SADC institution. The people of our region continue to look to us for leadership that delivers the vision of a peaceful, inclusive and industrialized region which we have set to realize by 2050.
Cyril RAMAPHOSA, President of the Republic of South Africa
The SADC Secretariat is tasked with identifying a new incoming chairperson by November 30, 2025, adhering to the principle of rotation. During this transitional period, Zimbabwe, represented by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has proposed to host various SADC meetings. The summit lauded Cyril Ramaphosa for organizing this extraordinary meeting and accepting the chairmanship, committing to the theme established in Antananarivo, ‘Promoting industrialisation, agricultural transformation and energy transition for a resilient SADC,’ which will continue until August 2026.
