PRESS STATEMENT OF THE SADC MCO TROIKA 25 January 2012
PRESS STATEMENT OF THE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE OF THE ORGAN TROIKA
25 JANUARY 2012
1. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) Troika, comprising of South Africa as Chair, the Republic of Zambia and United Republic of Tanzania as well as the SADC Secretariat, convened an urgent meeting in Pretoria to consider the recent political and security developments in Madagascar as they relate to the implementation of the Roadmap. The meeting was attended by the Malagasy political stakeholders among them; the representatives of President of the Transition, Prime Minister of Consensus, the Deputy Prime Minister, the President of the Congress of Transition and Mouvances Ravalomanana and Zafy, respectively.
2. The meeting of the MCO Troika took place within the context of the implementation of the SADC "Roadmap for Ending the Crisis in Madagascar". The Organ Troika reflected on the political situation in Madagascar including the events of 21st January 2012 in which former President Ravalomanana was denied entry into Madagascar.
3. In this regard, the MCO Troika reiterated the importance of adherence to the letter and spirit of the signed Roadmap as the most viable instrument that could contribute towards ensuring peace, stability and democracy in Madagascar. To this end, the Organ Troika emphasised the need to avoid the selective implementation of the Roadmap. Therefore, the Malagasy stakeholders were urged to expedite the process of implementing all the outstanding articles of the Roadmap especially those relating to confidence building measures such as the enactment of Amnesty laws; release of political prisoners; the unconditional return of political exiles and protection and promotion of human rights as they relate to the freedoms of assembly and expression.
4. The MCO Troika reaffirmed the significance of the Roadmap as the only mechanism for resolving the current political crisis. In addition, it re-emphasized that the Roadmap is aimed at facilitating a process leading to the holding of free, credible and transparent elections. SADC calls on the establishment of a credible and acceptable electoral body (CENI) that will prepare and conduct elections that reflect the popular will of all the Malagasy people. It also noted the recently passed legislation by parliament in this regard as well as the expert support that the UN provided in this process.
5. Considering the events of 21st January 2012, MCO Troika implores upon all the signatory parties and there supporters to desist from engaging in any further decisions and activities that are designed to cause division and which casts aspersions on the current SADC sponsored political process. It furthermore, calls upon all the signatory parties not to withdraw from the Roadmap process but to remain committed to its letter and spirit, the principles of which include integrity,inclusivity and impartiality.
6. The MCO Troika furthermore demands the prioritisation of the enactment of Amnesty laws by 29th February, 2012 to facilitate the unconditional return of exiled political leaders. In this regard, SADC also calls upon the transitional authority to ensure the safety and security of all the exiled returnees, and the further implementation of the RoadMap.
7. In addition the MCO Troika appeals to all the political leaders of the various parties to provide the necessary leadership,political maturity, functional coherence and responsible mannerisms in order to find ways of working together during this critical period. The interests of the Malagasy nation must be placed above narrow party political,emotional,historical and individual interests.
8. In conclusion the SADC MCO Troika will continue to remain seized with the Madagascar political process in order to ensure that she returns to constitutional normalcy and a democratic dispensation.
25 January 2012
Pretoria