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Leaders urge Madagascar solution Leaders urge Madagascar solution
(1 day later)
South African President Jacob Zuma has opened a regional summit on Madagascar's political crisis with a call for inclusive political dialogue. Southern African states have called for peaceful political dialogue in Madagascar, naming a former president of Mozambique to lead negotiations.
Members of the Southern African Development Community are meeting after another mediation effort failed. The appeal was made at an extraordinary summit of the Southern African Development Community in Johannesburg.
Officials suspended talks backed by the African Union and the UN on Tuesday, citing a lack of political will. The summit noted that political tensions on the Indian Ocean island had been getting worse.
Madagascar's political crisis began when President Marc Ravalomanana was ousted amid street protests in March. Madagascar's political turmoil began as President Marc Ravalomanana was ousted amid street protests in March.
He was replaced by 35-year-old opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, who seized power with military backing.He was replaced by 35-year-old opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, who seized power with military backing.
"We believe that peace will be achieved if all parties to the conflict are committed to the process," Mr Zuma said in his opening remarks on Saturday. The SADC summit in Johannesburg was called after officials suspended talks backed by the African Union and the UN on Tuesday, citing a lack of political will.
"It is crucial that there be an inclusive political dialogue, where all the relevant parties and stakeholders have an opportunity to be part of finding a resolution." 'Serious concern'
Other leaders at the summit included Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. Participants in Johannesburg included South African President Jacob Zuma, and the leaders of Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.
They nominated a respected former president of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, to lead mediation efforts by SADC and other bodies.
Marc Ravalomanana (l) is seeking support for a return to MadagascarMarc Ravalomanana (l) is seeking support for a return to Madagascar
Tomaz Salomao, the executive secretary of the regional group, said in a final statement that there was "serious concern [about] the deterioration of the political situation in Madagascar".
"The extraordinary summit urges all stakeholders to commit themselves to peaceful negotiated settlement through dialogue and desist from any violent solutions and inflammatory statements," he said.
In his opening remarks on Saturday, Mr Zuma said: "We believe that peace will be achieved if all parties to the conflict are committed to the process."
Mr Ravalomanana is living in exile in South Africa, where he has been seeking international support for a return to Madagascar.Mr Ravalomanana is living in exile in South Africa, where he has been seeking international support for a return to Madagascar.
He was at the summit, and was expected to meet heads of state in a closed-door session. He was at the summit in an unofficial capacity, and held informal meetings on the sidelines.
A UN envoy told AFP news agency that he wanted SADC to encourage Mr Ravolamana to co-operate more actively in political negotiations.
"We met Ravalamana this morning to stress the point that a negotiated solution is the way forward," said the envoy, Tiebile Drame.
Earlier this month Mr Ravolamana was sentenced in absentia to four years in jail for alleged abuse of office.Earlier this month Mr Ravolamana was sentenced in absentia to four years in jail for alleged abuse of office.
He has rejected sharing power with Mr Rajoelina, and suggested that a military solution should be considered - an option that had also been aired by the African economic bloc, Comesa.