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Cape Town — The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which represents the governments of the region, has threatened the new rulers of Madagascar with sanctions unless they return the country to constitutional rule.
In a strongly-worded statement issued from Swaziland on Thursday, regional leaders refused to recognize the new Malagasy leader, Andry Rajoelina, as president.
“His appointment not only violates the constitution of Madagascar and democratic principles, but violates the core principles and treaty of SADC, the African Union and the United Nations Charters,” the leaders said.
Their statement was issued after a meeting of the SADC “Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation,” chaired by King Mswati III in Ezulwini, Swaziland. The meeting was also attended by President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique and South African defence minister Charles Nqakula.
The meeting said it condemned “in the strongest terms the unconstitutional actions that have led to the illegal ousting of the democratically-elected president of a SADC member state.”
It called on the African Union and the wider international community not to recognize Rajoelina and to pressure his administration to return the country “to democratic and constitutional rule in the shortest time possible.”
It added that if Rajoelina did not comply, the group would recommend “appropriate sanctions and/or use all relevant resources available to restore order in Madagascar.”
It did not spell out action but asked its secretariat to report back on an action plan within a week.
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I don't approve the way Rajoelina took over the presidency in Madagascar either. If he thinks he can be a good leader, he should proceed peacefully and act responsibly. I understand that Marc Ravalomanana may not be the best president for Madagascar, but Rajoelina' s way of taking his seat is a real proof of dictatorship. Military are supposed to protect the people and show respect to the common goods. Looting Iavoloha is barbarian. It is embarrassing that the Malagasy who used to praise themselves as peace loving become dictators. Mr. Rajoelina and the military need to think about what they are doing so the innocent people won't suffer. Force is not the key! Peace, dialogue, self-respect, care for others will work better. What will they do to our country if they use force to get power? Mr. Rajoelina, please think twice because you may be doing exactely what you don't like in Mr. Ravalomanana. What is your motive? Do you really want to help the Malagasy? Please show it with example in a peaceful way. Thank you and May God protect our country.
Is The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union joking or serious about expelling Madagascar from the comity of nations? For what?
SADC and AU could not handle the elections that were stolen by Mugabe but have they have the audacity and mind to interfere in Madagascar's affairs, where there was people's uprising similar to that in the Philippines. SADC and AU need to put their houses in order. First of all, Mugabe should not have become president of Zimbabwe. You have seen the end results, the Prime Minister's wife died mysteriously. Who next? May be it could be the Honorable Prime Minister.
During the struggle days of the Prime Minister and his wife, she did not die but just by becoming Prime Minister was a crime that he committed for which his wife has to pay the price. I give credits to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Prime Minister Raila Odinga who stood firmly against the Mugabe's crooked regime.
So if SADC and AU have nothing to discuss, let them keep quiet and find ways to improve the lives of millions of Africans who are in desparate need of education, health care, safe drink water, energy, telecommunications, transportation, farm to market roads, and other social services, etc.
Quite recently, the International Court have issued an arrest warrant for the President of Sudan. This man massacres his own people on a daily basis - yet AU has neither condemned nor taken any actions against their so called comrade. Since AU cannot handle her own affairs on the African Continent, let the international community take actions. Have you forgotten about Saddam Hussein very soon? AU should not be a disgrace to us and must endeavor to make sound decisions and utter annoucements and pronoucements that will make us all proud.
ALL LEADERS LIE, STEAL AND DECIEVE...ONE MORE WON'T MAKE A LICK OF DIFFERENCE...WELCOME TO HELL JOIN THE REST OF THEM LOOSERS.
Sanctions? EVIL!
African following the wicked West to impose criminal sanctions to cripple Madagascar? Following evil examples of evil Europeans are a sure way to blunt African progress.
Let the people of Madagascar decide their fate!
SADC and AU, etc should be organizations that African peoples VOLUNTARILY enter in.
If Madagascar wants to follow their own path, the LET THEM!
Until Madagascar's problems become a clear and present problem of the neighbors, then Madagascar can ask for help if they want to do so FREELY.
The more immediate problem is the destructive and destabilizing role of the french criminals in Madagascar. Africans should go after the evil Europeans and let African people be.