Pretoria: Cabinet has at its meeting this week approved a request from the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community, Elias Mpedi, for South Africa to assume interim leadership of SADC due to the recent political developments in Madagascar. This includes hosting all SADC meetings scheduled from November 2025, with South Africa expected to assume interim responsibilities until the Summit makes a formal determination.

According to South African Government News Agency, this request aligns with Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the SADC Treaty. The treaty states that when a sitting Chair is unable to fulfil its duties, the incoming Chairperson should resume interim responsibilities until the Summit makes a decision.

An Inter-Ministerial Committee will be established to guide, coordinate, and monitor preparations and execution of South Africa’s interim SADC Chairship responsibilities.