Overview
- A virtual extraordinary summit appointed South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa as interim SADC chair until August 2026, according to the final communique.
- Leaders formally noted Madagascar's decision to relinquish the chair after recent political developments affected its ability to perform the role.
- Madagascar's transitional president Michael Randrianirina participated in the meeting following October's court-backed transfer of power to military leadership.
- Ramaphosa opened the summit urging decisive collective action to protect progress on regional integration, industrialisation, peace and stability.
- Outgoing chair Emmerson Mnangagwa pressed to maintain the focus on industrialisation, agricultural transformation and the energy transition, with South Africa set to host the 46th SADC summit in August 2026.