News24 | SA expected to take over chairing SADC after Madagascar military govt’s exit

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, leader of the military group that seized power with the support of the army, is sworn in as interim president at the High Constitutional Court building in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

• Madagascar announced it is leaving the rotational SADC chairperson position.
• SA, as the deputy chair, is likely to assume the role.
• The reason for stepping down was to build strong institutions in Madagascar, said Colonel Michael Randrianirina.

With Madagascar’s military government announcing it would be leaving the annual rotating position, South Africa is expected to become the next chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

In a statement on Saturday, the country’s new military leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, said the reason behind stepping down was to “build strong institutions in Madagascar and to strengthen national cohesion that will ensure a future based on stability and sustainable prosperity”.

He added that the decision should not be misinterpreted as Madagascar not valuing its membership of the 16-member grouping.

According to Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the SADC Treaty, if a chairperson is not able to fulfil their duties or steps down, then the country that serves as the deputy chair assumes interim duties.

In this case, it’s South Africa.

READ | ‘We have taken power’: Madagascar military unit seizes power after president impeached

Some analysts view Madagascar’s decision as a way to prevent being expelled from the group because of the unconstitutional change in governance.

“When deposed leader Andry Rajoelina first came into power through a military-assisted takeover 15 years back, the SADC suspended Madagascar, but now the new leaders don’t want a similar occurrence, so they have decided to neutralise the wrath that might come their way,” said Professor Philani Moyo, the director of the University of Fort Hare’s Institute of Social and Economic Research.

Randrianirina took power following a wave of youth-led protests.

After being sworn in on 17 October, he vowed to only stay in power for a maximum of two years before allowing general elections to take place.

Madagascar formally joined the SADC in 2005.

After the putsch that removed Rajoelina, the SADC sent a fact-finding mission to the country and set up communication channels for citizens to voice their concerns about the political unrest through WhatsApp and SMS platforms.

Formed in 1992, the SADC has dealt with coups in Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Madagascar.