The Southern Africa Development Community has extended condolences to President Hakainde Hichilema and the Zambian government following the death of former Vice President and Acting President Dr. Guy Scott, who died on July 15 in Lusaka.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi announced the news of Scott’s passing while officially opening the 28th Ministerial Meeting of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation in Salima, Malawi. Magosi said the thoughts and prayers of the SADC community were with Hichilema, the Zambian government and people, and the bereaved family, wishing Scott’s soul eternal peace.
During the same address, Magosi described SADC as one of the most peaceful regions on the continent and called on member states to keep working toward sustainable peace and security, while also raising concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr George Chaponda, also offered condolences on behalf of his government as he opened the Ministerial Meeting, saying Malawi joined the wider SADC community in mourning Scott’s death.
The statement noted Scott’s record of service, having served as Zambia’s Vice President from August 2011 to October 2014, then as Acting President following President Michael Sata’s death in October 2014, until he handed over to President Edgar Lungu after the presidential by-election in January 2015.
Zambia’s delegation to the two-day meeting, which closes tomorrow, is led by Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Maambo Haamaundu and includes Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dickson Matembo, Zambia’s High Commissioner to Botswana Pamela Chisanga, Zambia Correctional Service Deputy Commissioner General Bwalya Kuyomba, and senior officials from the Ministries of Defence, Home Affairs and Internal Security, and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs from across SADC member states are in attendance.
Sources: Ministry of Defence press statement, issued by Paul Shalala, Principal Public Relations Officer, July 16, 2026
