SADC Says Won’t Intervene in Madagascar on Ravalomanana Return

The South African Development Community won’t intervene to secure the return from exile of Marc Ravalomanana, the exiled former president of Madagascar, said Leonardo Simao, SADC’s envoy in the Indian Ocean island nation.

“SADC does not have the authority to annul a sentence imposed on a citizen,” Simao told reporters late yesterday in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital. “SADC respects the sovereignty and the responsibilities of member states.”

SADC has called on Madagascar to allow Ravalomanana to return to the country as part of efforts to end a political crisis sparked by him being ousted by Andry Rajoelina with the help of the military in 2009. Rajoelina’s government says Ravalomanana will be arrested if he returns after being convicted of the deaths of protesters.