Communique of the Double Troika Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Addis Ababa, Republic of Ethiopia

1. The Double Troika Summit (Summit) of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held in   Addis Ababa, in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on 17 January 2019.

2. The Summit was officially opened by H.E President Dr. Hage G. Geingob, the Chairperson of SADC.

3. Summit was attended by the following Double Troika Heads of State and Government or their representatives:
 

•  Angola: H.E. President João Lourenço, Out-going Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation     
• Namibia: H.E President Dr Hage G. Geingob, Chairperson of SADC 
• South Africa: H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, Out-going Chairperson of SADC 
• Zambia: H.E. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation
• Tanzania: H.E. Dr. Augustin P. Mahiga, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Co-operation, representing the In-coming Chairperson of SADC 
• Zimbabwe: H.E. Mr. Raphael Faranisi, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the Democratic Republic of Congo, representing the In-coming Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

4. Summit was also attended by the Executive Secretary of SADC, H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax and was briefed by H.E Leonard She Okitundu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

5. Summit reviewed the political and security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the Presidential, Legislative and Provincial Elections that were conducted in the country on 30th December 2018. 

6. Summit congratulated the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) for organising and conducting generally peaceful elections, notwithstanding some incidences and the logistical challenges, coupled with the impediments brought about by the devastating Ebola outbreak and security insurgencies. 

7. Summit commended the Congolese people and all Political Stakeholders for ensuring that the elections were conducted in a peaceful manner. 

8. Summit commended H.E. President Joseph Kabila for his leadership in holding the elections. 

9. Summit noted that that due to the outbreak of the Ebola Virus in Beni and Butembo areas, combined with security challenges, Legislative and Provincial elections in Beni, Butembo and Yumbi were postponed to March 2019. 

10. Summit encouraged the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to continue maintaining peace and security in the country. 

11. Summit took note of the election petition filed in the Constitutional Court challenging the provisional results of the Presidential Election and called upon all the Congolese People and all the concerned Political Stakeholders to remain calm and act in a way that consolidates democracy and preserves peace, and to address any electoral grievances in line with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Constitution and relevant electoral laws. 

12. Summit called upon the international community to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo in accordance with the AU Constitutive Act, and the SADC Treaty. 

13. Summit recognized and underscored the role of the Constitutional Court of the DRC and called upon the international community to respect the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the internal legal and political processes for the finalization of the electoral process. 

14. Summit also called upon the international community to support the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to maintain a peaceful and stable environment following the landmark elections, and avoid actions that are prejudicial to the electoral process. 

15. Summit further called for the continued implementation of the Peace, Security and Co-operation Framework in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Region. 

16. Summit reaffirmed its commitment to continued support to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s political processes, and with respect to neutralizing the negative forces and other armed groups operating in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and to remain seized with the matter. 

17. Summit expressed its appreciation for the support rendered to the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). 

18. Summit commended H.E. President Hage G. Geingob, Chairperson of SADC for convening the Double Troika Summit, 

Done at Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 17 January 2019