from ODIRILE TOTENG in Gaborone, Botswana
Botswana Bureau
GABORONE, (CAJ News) – MADAGASCAR is back on the agenda of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), although some critics argue the bloc must focus on South Africa, where anti-migrant tensions are mounting.
Late Monday, SADC is to convene a virtual Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and current chairperson of SADC.
“Leaders will deliberate on the political and security situation in Madagascar, guided by the report of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation,” SADC stated from its headquarters in Botswana.
This is the second such “extraordinary” virtual summit SADC has held in as many weeks, following last Monday’s meeting hosted by Malawi, chair of the regional Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.
That session deliberated on the final report of the SADC Panel of Elders, led by former Malawian president Joyce Banda, on Madagascar. It followed three diplomatic missions conducted between January and May 2026 to support peacebuilding and the transition process in the island country.
The summit reaffirmed SADC’s commitment to consolidating democracy and reinstating its presence to support a “Malagasy-owned and led” national dialogue.
Last Monday’s summit also focused on the resurgence of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nothing official was said about South Africa, although SADC stated that the summit focused on the deteriorating security situation in the region and the instability posed a threat to national peace and regional integration.
Hence, following the announcement of a summit to focus on Madagascar, commentators questioned the priorities of the 16-member SADC as the situation in South Africa deteriorates, with an imminent ultimatum set by vigilante groups for foreign nationals to leave the country.
“The immigration issue and displacement of people in South Africa, is it not worthy of attention?” Henry Chipata quizzed.
Zimbabwean Ruyedzo Mutizwa believes the situation in South Africa, and Zimbabwe, where a process (Constitutional Amendment Bill – CAB3) is under way to extend presidential terms, must be a priority for SADC.
“Cyril Ramaphosa (must) add toxic CAB3 and its potential to destabilise the region. It’s a migration push factor. The meeting must address the current situation in South Africa. They cannot look the other way,” he said.
Kagiso Molefe, a Botswana-based commentator, explained in an interview with CAJ News why Madagascar was a matter of priority for SADC.
He noted the situation in Madagascar involved a military-backed transitional government and, in the context of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), this necessitated a specific, high-level diplomatic response from regional bodies to ensure a return to constitutional rule.
Madagascar, the largest island in the Indian Ocean and the fourth-largest island in the world, has a population of 33,4 million people.
In October 2025, elite military units ousted President Andry Rajoelina following widespread youth-led protests against poverty, corruption and chronic utility outages.
“The tensions in South Africa, while severe, are currently being handled by the state,” Molefe said.
“In short, SADC’s engagement in Madagascar is a coordinated, long-term diplomatic effort to restore democratic systems, whereas the situation in South Africa is an immediate internal security challenge that falls under the jurisdiction of the South African state to manage and resolve.”
The military government, led by Col. Michael Randrianirina, pledged to restore democratic governance and ensure presidential elections are held in 2027.
In March 2026, Randrianirina dismissed Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo and dissolved the entire Cabinet.
No exact reason was provided for the dismissal of the government, but it followed pressure from activist groups demanding faster reforms and greater representation.
SADC comprises Angola, Botswana, Comoros, DRC, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
– CAJ News