Gaborone: The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has approved the deployment of a Panel of Elders and a Mediation Reference Group to Madagascar to support efforts aimed at restoring political stability, constitutional order, and democratic governance.
According to South African Government News Agency, this decision was announced in a communiqu© following the virtual Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government. The summit received a report from the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, Malawian President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, regarding the Technical Fact-Finding Mission to Madagascar conducted in late October 2025. The mission assessed the political and security situation through consultations with a wide range of stakeholders.
The summit welcomed the restoration of calm in Madagascar and acknowledged the national consultation processes launched by the Transitional Government in December 2025. The communiqu© reaffirmed SADC’s commitment to remain engaged with Madagascar’s political and security situation until an elected government is established through electoral processes. It urged the Transitional Government, led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina, to initiate an inclusive national dialogue during the transitional period to pave the way for elections and facilitate the peaceful return of political exiles.
SADC called on the Transitional Government to ensure that reform processes are timely, inclusive, and create an environment for meaningful participation by all stakeholders, including political exiles. The summit approved the deployment of the SADC Panel of Elders by March 2026, led by former Malawian President Dr Joyce Banda, to facilitate and support efforts to restore stability, democracy, and peace in Madagascar.
The summit directed the Panel of Elders to engage former Mozambican President Dr Joaquim Chissano, SADC’s Special Envoy to Madagascar, to provide context on previous interventions and outstanding issues, particularly regarding constitutional reforms, electoral processes, and the rule of law. SADC emphasized its commitment to protecting constitutional rule and democratic governance, and to restoring peace and democracy in Madagascar.
Madagascar was directed to submit a dialogue readiness report and a draft National Roadmap by February 2026, with progress updates scheduled throughout the year. On organisational matters, the summit appointed Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema as the Interim Incoming Chairperson following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment as Chairperson of SADC.
The summit directed the SADC Secretariat to coordinate with the African Union and international partners to mobilize resources for reforms and ensure coordinated interventions. Leaders expressed appreciation to President Mutharika for his leadership of the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, and to President Ramaphosa for advancing SADC’s regional agenda. The Extraordinary Summit concluded with a reaffirmation of SADC’s collective commitment to peace, security, and regional integration in Southern Africa.