No SADC soldiers for Madagascar

March 25th, 2009

Gaborone (Botswana) — Though Botswana does not support the takeover in Madagascar by the army and former mayor, Andry Rajoelina, Foreign Minister, Phandu Skelemani has ruled out sending an army from the region (SADC) to quell what they perceive to be a coup.

Mmegi had wanted to know whether sending an army from SADC countries, as in the case of Lesotho, where soldiers were sent to quell a mutiny by the mountain kingdom's army, was a viable option. In Skelemani's view, Madagascar's is a bloodless coup that one should approach with caution.

"When there is no indication of violence as it is, it's difficult to send soldiers there, because those people in Madagascar might come together and fight us," he said.

He has however said that Botswana does not recognize the Rajoelina government saying that "Puso e ga e a tlhophiwa ke ope. Gore re tle re utlwane ke gore go iwe ditlhophong - This government was not voted by anyone. We will only recognise a democratically voted government, hence they need to go for elections," he said.

A press release from the Foreign Ministry yesterday states that Botswana had hoped that the two sides -President Marc Ravalomanana and Rajoelina- would find a peaceful resolution consistent with the democratic process and Madagascar's constitution.

"The appointment of Rajoelina as president of Madagascar cannot be accepted as it does not only violate the democratic process and constitution in Madagascar, but it also violates the core principles of SADC, African Union and the United Nations," it read in part.

The statement further calls on other SADC and AU member states to do the same and bring pressure to bear on the Madagascar leadership to return the country to democratic rule.

Skelemani explained that in situations like this, SADC works through its defence Troika, the organ on politics, defence and security chaired by Swaziland. Other members are Mozambique and Angola. The Troika meets and takes decisions which would later be brought before the SADC leadership and membership.

"We have passed that stage because president Ravalomanana has since resigned and the soldiers support the opposition. Last time when I asked, I was told Dr Tomaz Salomao was in Swaziland to brief the Troika chair about the situation," he said.

 

source.Mmegi (Botswana)