FIRST VICTORY FOR KING'S DELEGATION TO MALAGASY

The Joachim Chissano-led team has managed to negotiate for army backed president Andry Rajoelina to convene dialogue for a solution to Malagasy’s political problems

A SADC Mediation team led by former Mozambican President Joachim Chissano has convinced the army backed-Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina to convene a dialogue for a lasting solution to the country’s political problems.

Also part of the delegation is Tibiyo TakaNgwane Managing Director and Former Prime Minister Themba Dlamini who was appointed by His Majesty King Mswati III to the team.
The king, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security saw the mediation team depart last week with a mandate to engage all the parties and leaders of Madagascar and to look for a place where the dialogue could be held.
A statement from the SADC Secretariat states that during the process of the consultation with the stakeholders, it emerged that there was a commitment among the stakeholders to pursue dialogue as the only means to the crisis.
Dialogue
It was also said that the dialogue should be consensual, inclusive and transparent. It should be owned by the Madagasy people. The need for reconciliation was also outlined.
“The inclusive dialogue should aim at creating a conducive political environment for the country’s return to constitutional normalcy. The SADC Mediator and his team urged the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to alleviate the difficult living conditions of the people of Madagascar, which have been worsened by the current political developments.”
Former President Chissano and the team arrived in Madagascar last Thursday to begin the mediation process, The visit was also in keeping with the decision of the Extraordinary Summit of SADC held in Sandton last month. “The mandate of the SADC Mediation team is to create a conducive environment for a productive and successful dialogue and to identify a venue for the dialogue which is acceptable to all parties within the SADC region.”
The team was also told to consult with all stakeholders in Madagascar and collaborate with other international organizations , namely the African Union, United Nations, the International Organisations of the Francophonie and other international organisations.
They are expected to hold the first consultative meeting within 30 days after the summit and to map the way forward.
“The work of the SADC Mediator should be finalised upon completion of the inclusive dialogue and holding of the general elections in Madagascar. He will report to the Organ Troika on regular basis.
The team was also tasked to encourage the Malagasy stakeholders to take the lead in the inclusive dialogue and work to ensure that the Malagasy people take full ownership of the process. Whilst in Madagascar, the team also met the political movement of deposed President Marc Ravalomanana Tiako I Madagasikara (TIM), Professor Albert Zafy, Union Des Democrates De Madagascar (UNDD) and Didier Ratsiraka, Andry sy Rihana Enty Manavotra an’I Madagascar (AREMA).
They also met stakeholders comprising civil society, traditional leaders, Diplomatic Corps and other entities.