The African trade group, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
(COMESA) on Monday passed a shocking resolution stating that a
military intervention could be an option to restore democracy in
Madagascar.
COMESA, a 19-member organisation condemned the military-backed
opposition revolt which ousted Madagascar’s leader Marc Ravalomanana
in March by Andry Rajoelina .
“We welcome and agreed, as pronounced by the AU, to support SADC as
they take a lead in efforts to restore constitutional order in
Madagascar by examining all options, including the possibility of
military intervention,” COMESA said.
Ravalomanana, at the weekend told the Zimbabwean press that he still
believes that one day he would regain his presidency after his ouster
in March.
“It was a coup. I’m sure COMESA will make a commitment so that I get
my country back…People of Madagascar are suffering. The illegal
government is bad and the situation is deteriorating every day. We
have to follow rules of democracy.”
The resolution surprised most delegates who felt that the economic
bloc should “limit its scope to trade issues”.
During his stay in Victoria Falls, Ravalomanana had high security
around him befitting a full head of state.
Ravalomanana, who is exiled in South Africa, was at the summit in
Victoria Falls to drum up more support after winning the backing of
the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African
Union (AU).
The SADC and the AU both suspended Madagascar after Rajoelina, a former disc jockey, ousted Ravalomanana and took over power with the help of renegade soldiers.
