In a communiqué delivered at Mandvulo Grand Hall last night, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla conveyed His Majesty King Mswati III’s deep concern over the unconstitutional removal of Madagascar’s President, Andry Rajoelina.
His Majesty, who is the incoming Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Troika, called for an immediate return to constitutional normalcy in Madagascar.
The statement followed a recent meeting between His Majesty the King and President Rajoelina, during which the Madagascar leader briefed the king on the current situation in his country.
The president’s removal from office has raised serious concerns regarding the integrity of constitutional governance in Madagascar. President Rajoelina, who had been democratically elected in December 2023 in what were universally recognised as free and fair elections, was ousted in an unconstitutional manner, an act that goes against the principles upheld by SADC, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).
The DPM explained that prior to the meeting with President Rajoelina, His Majesty consulted with the SADC Troika on matters of defence and security, ensuring that all regional leaders were informed of the unfolding situation in Madagascar.
READ MORE | ‘Development must move beyond dialogue’
“According to SADC protocol, if any head of state is removed unconstitutionally, that leader must be given an opportunity to present their case,” said Dladla. “His Majesty provided President Rajoelina with this opportunity, allowing him to explain the situation so that an informed decision could be made.”
She also noted that His Majesty had not been briefed on the situation in Madagascar earlier, as he was engaged in the Incwala Ceremony.
Nonetheless, the king has remained deeply concerned by the developments in Madagascar and the unconstitutional removal of a sitting president, which undermines the democratic values that SADC and the international community stand for.
“The world at large speaks of silencing the guns and also condemns the change of government using unconstitutional methods. President Rajoelina was declared the president of Madagascar after successfully winning the elections in December of 2023, which were regarded by everyone who participated as free and fair elections,” she stated.
She, therefore, called upon all the law enforcement agencies of Madagascar to restore constitutional normalcy with immediate effect.
NOW READ | 26 ‘Bomalume’ in court for overloading
