SADC 31st Heads of State and Government summit kicks off

Angola/SADC, Luanda – The 31st Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) started on Wednesday at 10 a.m at Luanda’s Talatona Conventions Centre.  This meeting will particularly focus on the political crises in Zimbabwe and Madagascar, seeking for the stability in the region.  The Summit of Heads of State and Government will be held under the motto “Consolidating the bases for regional integration, developing the infrastructures to facilitate commercial exchange and economic liberalisation”.  The meet is gathering over 600 guests, among delegates, ministers and heads of state and government.  The summit will discuss the issues related to the regional integration, creation of free trade zone, custom association and the infrastructures.  The presidents of Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibe and DR Congo, Armando Gebuza, Jacob Zuma, Robert Mugabe, Lucas Pohamba and Joseph Kabila, respectively, are attending the meeting.  The king of Swaziland, Mswati II, Prime Minister of Lesotho, Pakalitha Musisili, Vice-presidents of Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana, Mohammed Gharib, George Konda and Monpati Merafhe, respectively are also participating in the country’s capital city.  The Summit of Heads of State and Government was preceded by the meeting of SADC Council of Ministers, which started on Monday until Tuesday.  SADC comprises Angola, South Africa, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.