By Rahim Abdul
President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, has been elected as the new Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Rajoelina’s appointment was officially announced today during the ongoing SADC Heads of State and Government Summit taking place in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The summit has drawn leaders and representatives from across the region to discuss pressing issues affecting member states.
Key topics on the agenda include peace and security within the region, energy development and cooperation, and food security.
Leaders are particularly focusing on strategies to strengthen regional stability, address challenges of power shortages, and ensure that countries are better prepared to meet the nutritional needs of their populations.
Malawi is being represented at the summit by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba, who is standing in for President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.
President Chakwera, who could not attend in person, has previously emphasized Malawi’s commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable development within SADC.
Rajoelina takes over the chairmanship at a critical time, as the bloc seeks to reinforce unity and accelerate economic integration among its 16 member states.
