Mugabe takes over at SADC as chairman
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe speaks during celebrations marking his 90th birthday in Marondera, on February 23, 2014. Mugabe has taken over as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to complete his rehabilitation after years of international isolation. AFP PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Zimbabwe is hosting the 34th SADC summit that ends Tuesday in the resort town of Victoria Falls after taking over from Malawi.
- In his maiden speech after formally taking over from Malawi President Peter Mutharika on Sunday, President Mugabe implored SADC to wean itself from the West.
HARARE
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has taken over as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to complete his rehabilitation after years of international isolation.
President Mugabe, 90, is to lead the 15 member SADC for a year and is in line to lead the African Union starting next year.
Zimbabwe is hosting the 34th SADC summit that ends Tuesday in the resort town of Victoria Falls after taking over from Malawi.
In his maiden speech after formally taking over from Malawi President Peter Mutharika on Sunday, President Mugabe implored SADC to wean itself from the West.
“Our continued over-reliance on the generosity and goodwill of our cooperating partners tend to compromise our ownership and sustainability of our SADC programmes,” he said.
