BuaNews (Tshwane)
Chris Bathembu And Bathandwa Mbola
19 June 2009
Johannesburg — The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is confident that its Extraordinary Summit will find a solution to the political tension in Madagascar.
"We hope through this summit, we will be able to pave the way for political and security stability in Madagascar," said SADC Secretary Dr Tomaz Salomao, ahead of the summit on Friday.
The summit, which will take place on Saturday, was called to discuss the situation in Madagascar, among other things.
The problems on the Indian Ocean Island started three months ago when former President Marc Ravalomanana fled the island country, days after his political rival Andry Rajoelina officially replaced him as President.
Since then, more than 100 people have died in Madagascar as a result of the political struggle between the two men.
SADC has already suspended Madagascar from all the activities until such time that the country has returned to constitutional rule.
President Ravalomanana - now living in exile - has been lobbying regional leaders to press for his return.
The SADC has since appointed Swaziland Prime Minister Absolom Dlamini as a facilitator to lead a team to Madagascar in a bid to reconcile the warring parties.
"They will table their report tomorrow on the progress that is being made in Madagascar.
"They will brief the summit on their work there and how the different parties are moving," said Dr Salomao.
Dr Salomoa said the parties had requested to be given time to "consult". "We are almost there but its proper when we are deal with a sensitive political issue like this, we give the affected parties enough time to consult," said Dr Salomao.
On Thursday, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said the only solution to the crisis in that country could be found at the summit.
She said the report that will be presented will incorporate a full assessment of the situation in that country.
Among the Heads of State who have confirmed their attendance to the summit were SADC chairperson, President Jacob Zuma, SADC chair of organ on politics King Mswati III and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
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