President Ramaphosa Reaffirms SADC Commitment To Peaceful Transition In Madagascar

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) collective commitment to peace, stability and constitutional order in the Republic of Madagascar, following the conclusion of a Virtual Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held on 17 December 2025.

President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo credit: GCIS

Delivering his closing remarks as Chair of the Summit, President Ramaphosa thanked fellow Heads of State and Government, Ministers, senior officials, and the SADC Secretariat for their active participation and extensive preparatory work that ensured a focused and outcomes-driven engagement.

The Summit held substantive and constructive deliberations on the evolving political and security situation in Madagascar. Central to the outcomes was the decision to deploy a Panel of Elders and a Mediation Reference Group, a move President Ramaphosa said underscored SADC’s shared resolve to safeguard peace and stability across the region.

The mediation mission will engage all relevant stakeholders in Madagascar to promote an inclusive process leading to the holding of free, fair and credible elections. President Ramaphosa called on the Malagasy people to seize the opportunity to reflect deeply on the challenges facing their country and to choose a path of peace, unity, reconciliation and sustainable development.

The Summit welcomed the restoration of calm in Madagascar and noted the national consultation processes launched by the Transitional Government on 10 December 2025. SADC urged the Transitional Government, led by His Excellency Colonel Micheal Randrianirina, to initiate an inclusive, Malagasy-owned and Malagasy-led national dialogue during the transitional period. This process is expected to pave the way for fresh elections and enable the peaceful return of political exiles.

SADC further called on the Transitional Government to ensure that reform processes are timely, inclusive of all stakeholders, and create a conducive environment for political exiles to contribute meaningfully to national rebuilding efforts.

President Ramaphosa reaffirmed that SADC will remain actively engaged with developments in Madagascar until an elected government is established through credible electoral processes, emphasising that instability in one part of the region has implications for the entire Southern African community.

He highlighted the unity of purpose demonstrated by Member States during the Summit, noting that sustained cooperation remains essential for regional peace, security and shared progress.

In closing, President Ramaphosa congratulated His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema on his election as the incoming Chair of SADC, expressing confidence in continued collaboration to advance the regional body’s mandate.

He concluded by extending festive season greetings and wishing all leaders and citizens of the region a prosperous new year, as SADC continues its pursuit of peace, security and shared prosperity for all its peoples.