http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=nw20100805222229280C670716
Maputo - The Southern African Development Community remains concerned about the political impasse in Madagascar, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
"The SADC enters a stable period on political and security levels, with the exception of Madagascar, which is restarting from scratch," Mozambican Foreign Affairs Minister Oldemiro Baloi told journalists.
He was speaking at the end of a meeting of the SADC Ministerial Committee in the Mozambican capital Maputo ahead of the regional organisation's summit in Namibia later in August.
The meeting follows similar talks of the Interstatal Committee of Policy and Diplomacy and the Interstatal Committee of Defence and Security, both also in Maputo.
A constitutional crisis erupted in Madagascar when army-backed Andry Rajoelina seized power from president Marc Ravalomanana. The two leaders signed a power-sharing agreement with two other former presidents in November last year, but Rajoelina has threatened to disband the government and missed several election deadlines he set. Talks aimed at ending the crisis have failed thus far.
The ministerial committee meeting would make recommendations to be discussed by heads of state during SADC's August summit.
The body was "satisfied" with the "improved political situation and consequent economic recuperation" in Zimbabwe, Mozambique's Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs Aiuba Cuereneia said at the opening ceremony.
He also expressed concern at the situation in Madagascar.
"Despite the combined efforts in the facilitation of dialogue and the agreements between the parties, (Madagascar) remains the biggest challenge for the region," he said. - Sapa
Maputo - The Southern African Development Community remains concerned about the political impasse in Madagascar, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
"The SADC enters a stable period on political and security levels, with the exception of Madagascar, which is restarting from scratch," Mozambican Foreign Affairs Minister Oldemiro Baloi told journalists.
He was speaking at the end of a meeting of the SADC Ministerial Committee in the Mozambican capital Maputo ahead of the regional organisation's summit in Namibia later in August.
The meeting follows similar talks of the Interstatal Committee of Policy and Diplomacy and the Interstatal Committee of Defence and Security, both also in Maputo.
A constitutional crisis erupted in Madagascar when army-backed Andry Rajoelina seized power from president Marc Ravalomanana. The two leaders signed a power-sharing agreement with two other former presidents in November last year, but Rajoelina has threatened to disband the government and missed several election deadlines he set. Talks aimed at ending the crisis have failed thus far.
The ministerial committee meeting would make recommendations to be discussed by heads of state during SADC's August summit.
The body was "satisfied" with the "improved political situation and consequent economic recuperation" in Zimbabwe, Mozambique's Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs Aiuba Cuereneia said at the opening ceremony.
He also expressed concern at the situation in Madagascar.
"Despite the combined efforts in the facilitation of dialogue and the agreements between the parties, (Madagascar) remains the biggest challenge for the region," he said. - Sapa