18 June 2009
Southern African leaders will begin an emergency summit in Johannesburg on Friday to discuss the deadlock in talks to end the political crisis in Madagascar.
The summit follows the decision this week by mediators from the international community, including the African Union (AU), to suspend discussions with rival parties in Madagascar.
The South African government announced Thursday that President Jacob Zuma would host an extraordinary summit of heads of state and government on Friday and Saturday in his capacity as chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
SADC, the African Union and the United Nations have been trying to broker an end to the stand-off which began when opposition leader Andry Rajoelina seized power from President Marc Ravalomanana in March. Both SADC and the AU have condemned Rajoelina's takeover and called for the country to return to constitutional rule.
Mediators announced last month that Malagasy parties had agreed to hold elections within 14 months, but talks since then have stalled.
Ravalomanana said in a statement issued Thursday in South Africa - where he is now living - that he intended joining "this critically important summit."
In Washington, DC, a spokesman for the United States government issued a sharp condemnation of "the unconstitutional actions that led to the current situation" and urged political parties to return to talks.
"We continue to believe that the only way to resolve this crisis is through a consensual political process leading to elections at the earliest possible date," said Ian Kelly, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department.
"We... categorically reject the use of force as a means to resolve this crisis. We remain impartial and will not support unilateral solutions by particular political factions, as such moves would not produce a lasting solution based on credible, unbiased elections," Kelly said.
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Hilarious!
Comrade Bob at the head of COMESA delivering "wisdom" on how to avoid conflict!
I suppose Comrade Bob asked, "have you tried killing all of your opponents? In my experience, that seems to work very well."
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Sadly, it's only the people of Zimbabwe that suffer from such ridiculousness.
It only reduces the credibility and stature of any African organzation to have someone like Bloodstained Bob at the head table.
"African solutions for African problems" - how have they EVER worked out?
"Total Empowerment!" If only all of Africa could be so empowered as Zimbabwe!
Isn't it ironic that President Ravalomanana was forced to attend the summit when the opposition took power - AND he applied to Bloodstained Bob for supplication!
It's ironic when COMESA wants to discuss the situation in Madagascar and the head of COMESA at this juncture is none other than Bloodstained Bob himself! The question should be: "what is Bloodstained Bob doing at the head of ANY pan-African forum?"
Maybe Comrade Bob can send his N. Korean trained brigades to Madagascar to "liberate" them from despotism...................
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Comrade Bob referring to despotism surely sends Mephistopholes into conniptions!
If only present-day Madagascar was as desparate as present-day Zimbabwe! Comrade Bob should make sure his own house is in order before he starts dispensing advice! He's been such a success in ZImbabwe where over 1/2 of the population requires foreign food aid!
How "Empowered" has Mugabe made Zimbabwe? Would you wish for the same "empowerment" of your own nation?
He says, "look at us, the West feeds us, all you need to do is destroy every semblance of law and order and the West will be compelled to feed your people!"
What wisdom "experience" imparts on the "leaders" of Africa...........
"Total Empowerment!"
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