KING SHINES AT SADC SUMMIT

HIS Majesty King Mswati III, who is chairman of the SADC Organ Troika, took centre stage during the Extra Ordinary Summit in Sandton Johannesburg, when African leaders fully adopted a report and recommendations regarding the economic and political turmoil in Madagascar.

The report was tabled by SADC Special Envoy and former Prime Minister Absalom Themba Dlamini and it is on its basis that the Summit, stayed possible military intervention in that embattled Island.
Dlamini briefed the leaders about the achievements, challenges, difficulties and hostilities his team faced whilst trying to mediate in the crisis.
“The Summit went very well and we presented our report and recommendations which were based on finding a lasting solution. We informed the leaders that the people of Madagascar were concerned that the problems such as the illegal take over of power have happened before and that they were tired of this unconstitutional practice,” Dlamini said in conversation with Swazi Observer.
guidance
Dlamini praised His Majesty for what he termed the King’s able leadership, vision, wisdom and guidance on the mediation exercise of Madagascar.
“The King has demonstrated beyond doubt that he is a committed leader in the region and in addressing issues of the economic, social and development matters in addition to the political issues. He has demonstrated this not only in Madagascar, but in other areas in the region.” said Dlamini. He said he was confident that God the Almighty will see the process through so that the people of Madagascar return to constitutional peace and stability.
Dlamini, whose deputy was Mozambican former Foreign Minister Dr Leonardo Santos Simao, also thanked the SADC leaders for the trust they bestowed upon him when they chose him to be Special Envoy.
After talks which ended at 2am yesterday, the leaders resolved to allow peace and dialogue to continue in their bid to bring constitutional order in that country.
They lauded the Special Envoy and tasked him to continue with the mediation process and asked former President of Mozambique Joachim Chissano to lead the process.
The leaders, who included South African President Jacob Zuma, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba, underscored the urgency of implementing the decision taken in March at Lozitha Royal Palace.
During the meeting in the country, the leaders resolved that Andry Rajoelina – who, with the aid of a faction of the military forcefully took over power from President  marc Ravalomanana – should immediately vacate office so that the latter could be re-instated.
collaboration
The Lozitha Declaration reflected that SADC could consider other options with the collaboration of the African Union and the United Nations.
They also resolved that SADC would continue to engage all concerned parties in Madagascar with a view to facilitate the efforts to peacefully resolve the current political crisis in the country.
The leaders urged the Malagasy parties to fully cooperate with the SADC coordinated political dialogue aimed at restoring the constitutional order, peace and stability in Madagascar.
They underscored the fact that the ownership of the political dialogue in Madagascar must lie with the Malagasy people themselves.
At the press conference at the crack of dawn, His Majesty told the international media that though there were other options that were discussed, the leaders resolved to give peace a chance and to ensure that the mediation process continues.
 urgency
“The Extraordinary Summit, based on the observation contained in the report of SADC Special Envoy in particular the recommendations on the need for the inclusive dialogue among the Malagasy political actors, underscored the urgency of implementing the decisions of its meetings held on 30 march, 2009 at Lozitha. SADC decided to expediate its efforts aimed at restoring constitutional order in Madagascar in consultation with AU, UN and other interested organisations,” said His Majesty.
The King told the press conference that the SADC leaders were seriously concerned about the deteriorating political situation in Madagascar, which is worsened by hostility among the different political groups in Madagascar and noted the slow progress experienced so far in the dialogue among the parties.
“The Summit reiterated its decisions on the issue and expressed the view that there was an urgent need to restore constitutional order in Madagascar,” His majesty said.
Meanwhile, in the communique that was issued at the conclusion of the Summit, it was stated that the Malagasy people through their main political structures and representatives should be encouraged to take active ownership of the inclusive dialogue and refrain from any forms of exclusion in the process.
reproductive
“There must be a conducive environment for a reproductive and successful dialogue should be created by, among others, identifying a venue which is acceptable to all parties within the SADC region,” it was stated.
The Summit urged all stakeholders to commit themselves to a peaceful, negotiated settlement through dialogue and that all parties should desist from any violent actions and from making inflammatory statements which may jeopardise and undermine current efforts in bringing constitutional normalcy in that country.

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