South African Development Community issues statement on situation in Madagascar

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) Troika issued the following statement on the event of the Extraordinary Summit h

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) Troika issued the following statement on the event of the Extraordinary Summit held in Luanda, Angola, regarding the situation in Madagascar.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state and government convened an Extraordinary Summit on June 1, 2012 in Luanda, Angola, to consider, among other things, the political and security situation in the region. The political situation in Madagascar was critically discussed and as such, the Summit mandated Troika to convene a meeting between HE Andry Rajoelina, President of Transition, and HE Marc Ravalomanana, former President of the Republic of Madagascar.

Following the Extraordinary Summit, the Southern African Development Ministerial Committee of the Organ Troika, comprised of the Republic of South Africa as Chair, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia undertook a mission to Madagascar from August 10-12, 2012. The objective of the meeting was to provide feedback and illicit the views of the Malagasy stakeholders and signatories to the Roadmap, on the meetings between the President of Transition, HE Andry Rajoelina, and HE Marc Ravalomanana, which took place in the Republic of Seychelles on July 25-26 and August 7-8, 2012.

The Mission was led by the Chairperson of the MCO Troika, Hon. Marius Fransman, Deputy Minister of International Relations, and in cooperation with the Rep. of SA; also in attendance was the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Seychelles, Hon. Jean-Paul Adams, and the representatives of the MCO Troika, namely the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia.

The MCO Troika held a number of consultative meetings with the following stakeholders:

– The President of Transition
– Prime Minister of Consensus
– ESCOPOL
– AREMA
– HPM
– LES AS
– MONIMA
– Mouvance Ravalomanana
– Mouvance Zafy
– TGV
– UDRC
– Committee for the monitoring and control of the Roadmap
– FFKM
– Security Cluster
– Malagasy – Malagasy Dialogue Steering Committee
– The Local International Contact Group
– The legal fraternity

During the consultative meetings with the stakeholders, it was clear that there were issues of convergence and divergence, particularly with respect to the implementation of articles 20 and 45 of the Roadmap. Worth noting is the fact that the parties have agreed on approximately 95% of the pertinent issues in the Roadmap. However, the outstanding issues are of critical importance in the implementation of the Roadmap towards ending of the crisis in Madagascar and, therefore, cannot be ignored.

This process has been undertaken at a time when the Malagasy people had just received the dates for the holding of elections in the country by the CENIT in consultation with the UN. Noting this important announcement, it is critical that the stakeholders commit to the electoral schedule provided by the CENIT and render the necessary requisite support.

The MCO Troika focused on the key issues with regards to the implementation of the Roadmap, in particular the CENIT/UN electoral schedule, participation of some of the stakeholders in the electoral process, and implementation of articles 20 and 45. The views expressed by the stakeholders have assisted the Troika mission to develop a clearer picture on what could be an appropriate way forward in the possible resolution of the crisis in Madagascar.

The outcomes of the Seychelles meetings, together with the consultative sessions with the stakeholders, will form part of the report of the Chairperson on Politics, Defense, and Security cooperation to the Ordinary Summit in Maputo, Mozambique, on August 17-18, 2012.

In conclusion, the Troika wishes to express its gratitude to all the stakeholders for their cordial and frank engagement. The MCO Troika urges all Malagasy stakeholders to conclude this process and focus on upcoming elections and return the country to constitutional normalcy and a democratic dispensation.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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