The Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho got a green light when it officially got removed from the agenda of the Organ Troika, following the positive progress regarding the political and security situation in Lesotho.
This was announced during the 45th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Antananarivo Madagascar on Sunday.
The summit then applauded the SADC Panel of Elders, Mediation Reference Group, the Government and the people of Lesotho for their commitment to the consolidation of peace and security.
The summit affirmed that Lesotho is on a new path of peace, reform and growth.
The Summit further commended the Kingdom of Lesotho for the passage and enactment of the 10th Amendment to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Lesotho, marking a significant milestone in the advancement and near-finalization of the national reforms process in the Kingdom.
Moreover, the Summit called for the accelerated establishment of the SADC Regional Development Fund as an independent Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), aimed at enhancing regional economic resilience, supporting sustainable development, and mobilizing long-term investment for SADC regional programmes.
Again the Summit commended the United Republic of Tanzania for successfully hosting the Mission 300 African Energy Summit in January 2025 in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, and directed the Secretariat to engage the World Bank, African Development Bank and other Cooperating Partners to support SADC Member States in the development of National Energy Compacts by the end of 2025.
On the other hand, the Summit urged Member States to promote women’s full and effective participation in political and decision-making processes, strengthen national systems for coordinated data collection and regular surveys on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and increase support and funding for initiatives addressing its root causes.
The Summit approved and signed the Agreement Amending the SADC Protocol on Finance and Investment, particularly provisions relating to Anti Money Laundering.
Additionally the Summit directed the Secretariat to fast-track the development of the value proposition, investment plan, and roadmap for the North–South Economic Corridor, and to accelerate the advancement of the SADC Maritime Corridor Strategy, aimed at enhancing trade, regional connectivity and economic integration.
On one hand, the Summit noted the progress made in implementing the Theme of the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, titled “Promoting Innovation to unlock opportunities for sustained economic growth and development towards an Industrialised SADC”, and commended the Outgoing Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, for his exemplary leadership and strategic guidance in advancing the key prior
outlined in the Theme as well as the programmes and projects of SADC during his tenure.
The Summit endorsed the Theme of the 45th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, titled “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC” and reaffirmed its commitment to industrial growth, agricultural modernisation, and a just energy transition as pillars of a resilient and integrated SADC region.
Furthermore the Summit emphasised the importance of agriculture in ensuring food security and self-sufficiency and urged Member States to adopt regional strategies that strengthen agricultural productivity and climate resilience, with emphasis on Climate Smart Agriculture, irrigation, post-harvest efficiency and regional blue economy.
Furthermore the Summit called for increased investment in the control of Transboundary Animal Diseases, with particular emphasis on Foot and Mouth Disease, and urged Member States to strengthen preparedness through targeted awareness initiatives, reinforced surveillance systems, and effective response mechanisms.
The Summit urged Member States to implement the outcomes of the African Leaders’ meeting of the “Unite in Bold Drive to Fight Cholera” held in June 2025, by establishing Presidential Task Forces, mobilising domestic resources, expanding water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, and strengthening coordination to accelerate progress towards national and regional goals in the fight against Cholera.
The Summit further commended the Government of the Republic of Madagascar for the successful organisation and hosting of the 8th Annual SADC Industrialisation Week and Exhibition, held in Antananarivo, Madagascar, from July 28 to August 01 in collaboration with the SADC Secretariat, the SADC Business Council, and the Syndicat des Industries de Madagascar (SIM) which focused on advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition in the SADCregion.
The Summit noted the SADC Electoral Calendar for the remaining part of 2025, which includes elections in the Republic of Malawi in September, Republic of Seychelles and the United Republic of Tanzania in October and wished the Member States successful elections.
The Summit urged Member States that are not parties to SADC Legal Instruments that have entered into force to accede to those SADC Legal Instruments, and Member States that have not signed or ratified SADC Legal Instruments that have been adopted but are not yet in force, to sign or ratify those SADC Legal Instruments, in order to strengthen the SADC legal frameworks that facilitate regional integration.
Meanwhile the Summit re-appointed Mr. Elias Mpedi Magosi as the SADC Executive Secretary for a second and final four-year term and expressed its appreciation for his leadership and dedication to advance the regional integration and developmental aspirations of SADC.
In conclusion, the Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Madagascar for the successful hosting of the 45th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The Prime Minister Mr. Ntsokoane Matekane and his delegation which included Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Mr. Lejone Mpotjoane, Government Secretary Mrs. Teboho ‘Mokela and other senior government officials attended the summit.
South Africa will host the 46th Summit in August next year as it was elected the incoming Chair of SADC in 2026.
Source: Lesotho News Agency (LENA) 18/8/2025
