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Published On 1/7/2026
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) approved a new package of measures to strengthen its support for the political reform process in Madagascar, and at the same time renewed its call for the release of political detainees, stopping arbitrary arrests, and allowing the return of political exiles to the country.
This came during an extraordinary virtual summit of the group held the day before yesterday and chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in his capacity as Chairman of the group. In his closing remarks, Ramaphosa said that the decisions reflect “the regional bloc’s commitment to restoring constitutional order, democratic governance and long-term stability in Madagascar.”
The most prominent decisions included expanding the mandate of the “Team of the Elders” to include facilitation and reconciliation tasks, in addition to establishing a SADC liaison office in the capital, Antananarivo, to coordinate regional support on the ground with the authorities in Madagascar and other partners. Ramaphosa explained that the new mechanisms will ensure that the group remains “present, responsive and effective” throughout the transition.
The summit also agreed to strengthen oversight through quarterly reports submitted to the SADC secretariat, provided that any deterioration in the political situation or failure to reach the agreed upon stages will be immediately referred to the “Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation Agency.”
The summit agreed that political reforms in Madagascar would be “a transitional process that leads, within a specific time frame, to the restoration of constitutional order and the holding of democratic elections.” Ramaphosa said, “Our region cannot tolerate inconclusive transition cycles. Stability does not last through open processes, but rather through credible institutions and elected and legitimate governance.”
SADC reported that the summit approved the reports of three shuttle diplomatic missions that were submitted to the extraordinary summit of the Political, Defense and Security Cooperation Organisation. Ramaphosa praised the “Team of the Wise” led by former Malawi President Joyce Banda, the “Mediation Reference Group” and the SADC secretariat for providing an “evidence-based assessment” of developments in the situation in Madagascar.
Regarding the rights file, Ramaphosa renewed “SADC’s call for the release of political detainees, an end to arbitrary arrests, and the return of political exiles,” describing these steps as “essential for building confidence and creating conditions for a meaningful national dialogue.” He called on all parties in Madagascar, including the government, political parties, civil society, youth, women and traditional leaders, to participate in good faith and give priority to the national interest.
Track background
The summit, according to Ramaphosa’s opening speech, came to review the implementation of decisions taken at a previous extraordinary summit held in December 2025, decisions that followed a technical fact-finding mission that visited Madagascar in October 2025 to assess the political and security situation following the “change of government” in the country in 2025.
That summit asked Madagascar to submit a “dialogue readiness report” and a draft “national road map” by the end of February 2026, with regular updates on progress. It quoted Ramaphosa as saying that the reforms must remain “comprehensive, time-bound and led by the Malagasy people,” and “allow all parties, including political exiles, to actively participate in shaping Madagascar’s future.”
Colonel Mikael Randrianirina assumed power in October 2025 following popular protests under the banner of “Generation Z” that ousted former President Andry Rajoelina. Amnesty International said in March 2026 that the country was moving “from the Generation Z uprising to the control of the military junta,” documenting the arrests of activists.
