Communiqué: Extra-Ordinary SADC Summit of Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Ezulwini, Kingdom of Swaziland, 19 March 2009

COMMUNIQUÈ

1. The Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation met in Ezulwini, Kingdom of Swaziland on 19 March 2009 to discuss the political and security situation in the Republic of Madagascar.
   
   
2. The Extra-Ordinary summit was chaired by His Majesty, King Mswati III, Chairperson of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
   
   
3. The Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Organ Troika was attended by the following Heads of State and Government and Government representatives:
   
   

   Kingdom of Swaziland      His Majesty King Mswati III, Chairperson of the Organ on Politics,
   .....................................Defence & Security Cooperation

    Mozambique                   H.E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza, Deputy Chairperson of
   .....................................the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

   Angola                            H.E. Garcia Bires, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola in
   .......................................Mozambique
   
   South Africa                    Hon Charles Nqakula, Minister for Defence

4. The Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Tomaz A. Salamấo also attended the Extra-Ordinary Summit.
   
   
5. The Extra-Ordinary Summit noted that a SADC Troika Mission was undertaken on 09 February 2009 to assess the situation in the Republic of Madagascar following the brief by the Prime Minister of Madagascar to the SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) Troika at the margins of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 02 February 2009.
   
   
6. A preliminary mission to the Republic of Madagascar was undertaken by the SADC Executive Secretary from 06 – 07 February 2009.
   
   
7. A follow up mission comprising the Organ Troika Member States the Kingdom of Swaziland, the Republic of Mozambique and the Republic of Angola took place from the 14 – 19 February 2009.
   
   
8. The Extra-Ordinary Summit also noted that in an attempt to have insight of the political and security situation in the Republic of Madagascar, the Mission held consultations with the following stakeholders:
   
   i. The President of the Republic of Madagascar, His Excellency Marc Ravalomanana;
   ii. Prime Minister of the Republic of Madagascar, H.E. Charles Rabemanajara;
   iii. Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Madagascar, Gen. Marcel Ranjeva;
   iv. The National Electoral Council of Madagascar;
   v. The Council of Christian Churches in Madagascar;
   vi. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Antananarivo and the;
   vii. Members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Madagascar, and
   viii. The former Mayor of Antananarivo Mr. Andry Rajoelina.
   
   

   During these consultations, the Mission observed the following notables:
   
   i. The need to encourage political dialogue among all the stakeholders in Madagascar.
   ii. The need for political tolerance and respect for the rule of law.
   iii. The need to resolve the current political challenges through peaceful means other than resorting to violence.
   iv. The need for respect for Human Rights.

9. The Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Organ condemns in the strongest terms the unconstitutional actions that have led to the illegal ousting of the democratically elected President of a SADC Member State.
   
   
10. In the circumstances SADC does not and cannot recognize Mr Rajoelina as President of Madagascar because 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.
    
    
11. The Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Organ Troika therefore calls on the African Union and the International Community not to recognize the appointment of Mr Rajoelina and put pressure to bear on the de facto authorities in Madagascar to return that country back to democratic and constitutional rule in the shortest time possible.
    
    
12. The Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Organ Troika further calls on all stakeholders to refrain from taking any actions that are unconstitutional, inconsistent with the democratic values of our region and the continent or lead to further loss of lives, injury or destruction of property.
    
    
13. Consistent with the Treaty of SADC Article 5 (b) and (c), SADC shall continue to promote common political values, systems and other shared values which are transmitted through institutions which are democratic, legitimate and effective.  SADC will continue to engage all concerned parties in Madagascar with a view to facilitating the efforts to peacefully resolve the current political crisis in the country.
    
    
14. The Executive Secretary of SADC is mandated by the Troika Organ Summit immediately to engage the AU, UN, and all other role players to help define a comprehensive and coherent strategy that will lead to the resolution of the problem. The Executive Secretary is to report back to the Troika within 7 days.
    
    
15. In the event of non cooperation and non compliance by the de facto regime in Madagascar, the Summit of the Organ Troika shall recommend to Summit to consider imposing appropriate sanctions and/or use all relevant resources available to restore order in Madagascar.

Done at Ezulwini
Kingdom of Swaziland
19 March 2009