Marc Ravalomanana with Andry and Mialy Rajoelina in Mahamasina Stadium, on June 26th, 2008
After their summit in Luanda (Angolan capital), Heads of state of the 15-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) decided to bring the two rivals to hold talks as the island country battles to solve a political crisis that has raged for three years.
“ The SADC summit has mandated the mediator of the organisation to organise as soon as possible a meeting between Andry Rajoelina, the president of the High Transitional Authority, and former president Marc Ravalomanana, to put an end to the roadmap to exit the crisis and create a favourable environment to the organisation of credible, free and fair elections ”, the regional bloc said in a statement, last Friday (June 1st, 2012).
So, a regional mediating body will organise a meeting between Madagascar's transitional leader Andry Rajoelina and former president Marc Ravalomanana. Now, the question is: What kind of “political accord” will be possible between the two men?
Jeannot Ramambazafy
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EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF SADC HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT
LUANDA, ANGOLA JUNE 01, 2012
STATEMENT
An Extraordinary Session of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held in Luanda, Republic of Angola on 1st June 2012.
The Summit was officially opened by H.E. Eng. José Eduardo dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola and the Chairperson of SADC.
1. Summit observed a minute of silence in memory of the late President of Malawi, H.E. Bingu Wa Mutharika and extended condolences to the family, people and Government of Malawi.
1. The Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government and their representatives:
Angola H.E. President José Eduardo dos Santos
Botswana H.E. President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama
Namibia H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba
South Africa H.E. President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma
Swaziland His Majesty King Mswati III
Zambia H.E. President Michael Chilufya Sata
Zimbabwe H.E. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe
United Republic Rt. Hon. Mizengo Kayanza Peter Pinda, Prime Minister of Tanzania
DRC Hon. Raymond Tshibanda N’Tungamulongo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Franchophonie
Malawi Hon. Ephraim Mganda Chiume, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Mauritius Dr the Hon. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade
Mozambique Hon. Aldemiro Baloi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Seychelles Hon. Jean Paul Adam, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Lesotho H.E. Matlotilso Ntoane, High Commissioner to South Africa
1. H.E. President dosSantoswelcomed the Heads of State and Government and other delegates to the Republic of Angola. In his speech, the Chairperson of SADC underscored the importance of regional infrastructure development as one of the key pillars for the SADC integration and development agenda and for poverty eradication.
1. Summitconsidered and adopted the Report of the Troika of the Organ Summit that met on 1st June 2012 in Luanda, Angola, which reviewed the political and security situation in the Region. In particular:
6.1 Summitnoted that the Region continues to consolidate democracy and the rule of law as reflected in the holding of successful elections in a number of Member States. In this regard,Summitcongratulated:
(i) H.E. President James Alix Michel for winning Presidential Elections in theSeychellesin September 2011.
(ii) H.E. President Michael Chilufya Sata for winning the Presidential Elections inlambia, in September 2011, and
(iii) H.E. President Joseph Kabila Kabange for winning the Presidential Elections held in the DRC in November 2011.
6.2 Summitcommended the people ofLesothofor holding peaceful, free and fair National Assembly Elections on May 26, 2012.
6.3 Summitreceived an update on the positive political and security situation in DRC and encouraged the Government of DRC to continue consolidating peace and democracy.
6.4 On Madagascar,Summit noted that efforts by the SADC Mediation team, led by former President of Mozambique, H.E. Joaquim Alberto Chissano and the SADC Organ Troika resulted in the signing, in September 2011 by ten of the eleven Malagasy stakeholders, of the Roadmap that seeks to return the country to constitutional normalcy. Summit reiterated the importance of the full implementation of the Roadmap for ending the crisis in the country.
6.5 Summit mandated the SADC Mediator and the Troika of the Organ to facilitate dialogue and convene a meeting between H.E. Andry Rajoelina, President of the High Transition Authority and H.E Marc Ravalomanana, former President as a matter of urgency in order to ensure full implementation of the Roadmap and create an enabling environment for holding credible, free and fair elections.
6.6 Summit also noted that the SADC Liaison Office that was established in November 2011 to support the implementation process is fully operational with officers from the Troika of the Organ Member States and office of the Chairperson of SADC on the ground since January 2012.
6.7 On Malawi, Summitcommended the people of this country for adhering to the country’s constitutional provisions regarding succession following the demise of H.E President Bingu wa Mutharika on the 5th April 2012.
6.8 Summit congratulated Her Excellency President Mrs. Joyce Mtila-Banda for ascending to the position of President of Malawi on the 7th of April 2012.
6.8 Summit congratulated Her Excellency President Mrs. Joyce Mtila-Banda for ascending to the position of President of Malawi on the 7th of April 2012.
6.9 On Zimbabwe, Summit commended stakeholders for their commitment, cooperation and efforts towards the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) and urged the parties to the GPA to finalise the constitution-making process and subject it to a referendum thereafter.
6.10 Summit also urged the parties to the GPA, assisted by His Excellency Jacob G Zuma, President of the Republic ofSouth Africaand SADC Facilitator of the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue, to develop an implementation mechanism and to set out time frames for the full implementation of the Roadmap to Elections.
6.11 Summit further commended the Facilitator for his efforts towards the realisation of full implementation of GPA.
1. Summit noted a proposal from the Chairperson of SADC, based on a Concept Paper on the need to develop a SADC Vision 2050 and referred the matter to Member States for further consultations and contributions. Inputs from this process will be consolidated and submitted to Council andSummitat the next meeting in August 2012.
1. Summit reiterated its support for the candidature of Honourable Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa for the position of the Chairperson of African Union Commission.
1. Summit noted that the Government of Malawi reaffirmed its commitment to host the AU Summit in July 2012. In reaffirming its support for Malawias a host for the next AU Summit in July 201Z,Summit underscored the need to finalise the election of Members of the AU Commission during the session.
1. Summit noted that the Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP) is being finalised to form the basis for implementing infrastructure networks in the key sectors such as energy, transport, including maritime corridors Information and Communications Technology, tourism and water, taking into account the specificities of island Member States.
1. Summit directed the Council of Ministers and in particular, the SADC Ministers responsible for Finance and Investment to expedite the process for the establishment of the SADC Development Fund in order to, among other things, ensure the availability of adequate levels of resources to fund regional infrastructure programmes.
1. Summit expressed its unequivocal support to the candidature ofNamibiato host the Green Climate Fund Secretariat under the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCC) and also requested that the candidature be submitted to the AU Summit in Lilongwe for endorsement.
1. Summit commended the Government and people of the Republic of Angola for the successful hosting of the Extraordinary Summit and expressed gratitude for the generous hospitality.
LUANDA, ANGOLA
1st June 2012