Ephraim Keoreng
20 March 2009
Gaborone — Though Botswana does not support the takeover in Madagascar by the army and former mayor, Andry Rajoelina, Foreign Minister, Phandu Skelemani has ruled out sending an army from the region (SADC) to quell what they perceive to be a coup.
Mmegi had wanted to know whether sending an army from SADC countries, as in the case of Lesotho, where soldiers were sent to quell a mutiny by the mountain kingdom's army, was a viable option. In Skelemani's view, Madagascar's is a bloodless coup that one should approach with caution.
"When there is no indication of violence as it is, it's difficult to send soldiers there, because those people in Madagascar might come together and fight us," he said.
He has however said that Botswana does not recognize the Rajoelina government saying that "Puso e ga e a tlhophiwa ke ope. Gore re tle re utlwane ke gore go iwe ditlhophong - This government was not voted by anyone. We will only recognise a democratically voted government, hence they need to go for elections," he said.
A press release from the Foreign Ministry yesterday states that Botswana had hoped that the two sides -President Marc Ravalomanana and Rajoelina- would find a peaceful resolution consistent with the democratic process and Madagascar's constitution.
"The appointment of Rajoelina as president of Madagascar cannot be accepted as it does not only violate the democratic process and constitution in Madagascar, but it also violates the core principles of SADC, African Union and the United Nations," it read in part.
The statement further calls on other SADC and AU member states to do the same and bring pressure to bear on the Madagascar leadership to return the country to democratic rule.
Skelemani explained that in situations like this, SADC works through its defence Troika, the organ on politics, defence and security chaired by Swaziland. Other members are Mozambique and Angola. The Troika meets and takes decisions which would later be brought before the SADC leadership and membership.
"We have passed that stage because president Ravalomanana has since resigned and the soldiers support the opposition. Last time when I asked, I was told Dr Tomaz Salomao was in Swaziland to brief the Troika chair about the situation," he said.
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Shashe it boggles everyones mind about SADC - maybe it is that u must have a mate sitting at SADC!!!! This problem of Madagascar was highlighted by allafrica.com before the takeover - and i read it and that is why this has led to me think like this -u scratch my back and i will scratch yours!!! must be going on at SADC
DUDE, there's no such thing as democracy. It's ALL in that little head of yours. Please he's no different than any other leader. Every leader have stolen their election and GOD knows it. Why can't ANDRY??? He's fine and gorgeous, love him, love him, love him. So f-ing young only 34 years old. There'shope for this handsome leader. So back off I SUPPORT HIM 100%. GO ANDRY!!! YOU HAVE MY BLESSING MY FRIEND.
ANDRY COME GET ME, I want to make out with you in Mauritius. Mr. Romantic, soooo f-ing hot I swear!!!
should the AU ,SADC and regional bodies invade madagascar to enforce democracy in restive atmosphere ,contravene the sovereignty of the state of madagascar.fair mediation that will hasten the return to genuine democratic government should rather be follow in due process. external millitary intervention will be regarded as invasion ,absolutely violate the principle of regional peace.if the populace in madagascar protest the seizure of power by opposition or disregard the government of Rejoelina and feel captivated in helpless crisis then would the option of force could be debated .
Education is an important instrument to bring about democracy to most african states.The western world must teach africans what good governance and the rule of law is.Military intervention on Madagascar will not promote democracy but accelerate barbaric behaviours of Madagascar'S people.SIMPLE JERE.
Why should AU,SADC, and regional bodies invade Madagascar? All of these bodies could and did not resolve the situation in Zimbabwe by allowing Mugabe to remain as president, why Madagascar? If they have armies to restore democracy let them go to Sudan.
I do not quite seem to understand why African countries can't get the real meaning of democracy! Just a couple of weeks ago, SADC and the AU helped subdue Zimbabwean masses' aspirations for a complete and true change reflective of an outcome of a democratic process where Tsvangirai won the election. Now, people in Madagascar must have been watching these developments with very wide open eyes and must therefore have not wanted to be burgeoned into the same ill-advised 'Unity Govt' deal like Zimbabweans got. It boggles my mind that when masses take to the streets, is it not what democracy they want: Is it not how best they can raise their voices loud and clear for these hard and hot-headed politicians to listen? AU and SADC are, at least ill-advised not to recognize the current govt. in Madagascar, if they could force the Mugabe regime on Zimbabwean people..how many people were killed in Zim? Yet again we see how these African solutions for African problems are administered. If you are a crooked politician, you happen to rule with much symphathy and support from the AU and SADC; Once you are young, vibrant and a darling of the masses (which means posing a serious threat to the autocracies we have in Africa) these same organizations lose their sanity. Africa needs a strogn overhaul in terms of leadership and accountability.