By Tonny Nyandoro (The African Digest, Zimbabwe)
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts to restore peace, democracy and constitutional order in Madagascar following political upheavals that led to a change of government in the Indian Ocean island nation.
The regional bloc held a virtual Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government last Monday to deliberate on peace and security issues affecting the region, with the situation in Madagascar dominating the agenda.
The Summit received a report from the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Malawi President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, on the findings of Fact-Finding and Diplomatic Missions to Madagascar.
The missions, led by former Malawian President and member of the SADC Panel of Elders, Dr Joyce Banda, assessed the political and security situation through consultations with a broad range of stakeholders.
The Extraordinary Summit commended the work of the SADC Panel of Elders, supported by the Mediation Reference Group, as well as the contribution of former SADC Special Envoy to Madagascar, Dr Joaquim Chissano, the former President of Mozambique. It also reaffirmed its support for the people of Madagascar in their quest for peace, stability, constitutional order and sustainable development.
In a communiqué released after the summit, which was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, SADC pledged to support peace efforts and promote good governance and democracy in Madagascar.
“Summit stressed the importance of protecting constitutional rule and democratic governance, emphasizing that reforms must ultimately restore constitutional order and lead to a democratically elected government, without delaying the will of the Malagasy people,” the communiqué said.
The summit also underscored the need for inclusive dialogue, reconciliation and national consultations during the transition period.
“Summit emphasized the need for inclusive dialogue, reconciliation, and national consultations during the transition and called on the Government, the Council of Christian Churches and all stakeholders to act fairly, respect the constitution and build consensus,” the communiqué added.
SADC urged the Government of Madagascar, led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina, President of the Refoundation, to remain committed to reforms that are clear, time-bound and transparent, and inclusive of all Malagasy stakeholders. The regional body also called for the reforms to be widely communicated in national languages to ensure broad participation and acceptance by the Malagasy people.
The bloc further recommended the release of political prisoners, an end to the arbitrary arrest of opposition leaders and Generation Z activists and the safe return of political exiles.
Madagascar’s current president, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, took power in October 2025 following a military-led operation. The armed forces ousted his predecessor, Andry Rajoelina, after parliament impeached Rajoelina and mass, youth-led anti-government protests swept across the country.
Meanwhile, SADC leaders endorsed measures aimed at supporting Madagascar’s transition, strengthening dialogue and reconciliation, advancing electoral reforms and enhancing regional cooperation in addressing emerging peace and security challenges, including the Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
