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.