VICTORIA FALLS – Africa’s largest trading bloc Comesa yesterday raised the possibility of military action to restore democracy in Madagascar.
The 19-member bloc said in a final communique after a summit in Zimbabwe that it supported ‘efforts to restore constitutional order in Madagscar by examining all options, including the possibility of military intervention.’
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) said it ‘unconditionally rejected and condemned in the strongest terms the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar and called for the return to constitutional rule.’
Madagascar’s elected president Marc Ravalomanana was toppled by opposition leader Andry Rajoelina in March, following street protests in the capital.
Zambia’s President Rupiah Banda told the summit that regional integration will be difficult if member countries continue to face political instability.
‘As Comesa we should not condone unconstitional change of governments,’ Banda said.
‘We should therefore condemn the unlawful removal of a democratically elected government in Madagascar.’
Comesa has no military capacity for dealing with crises. The summit also said it supported mediation efforts of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The transitional authorities in Madagascar announced last week that the Ravalomanana had been tried and sentenced in absentia to four years in prison and U$70 million in damages over the purchase of a U$60 million presidential jet from the Disney group. – AFP
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