from ALFRED SHILONGO in Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia Bureau
WINDHOEK, (CAJ News) – RARELY do leaders in Southern Africa comment on political crises affecting fellow countries in the region.
The regional bloc thrives on so-called quiet diplomacy.
Namibia has broken ranks.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has expressed concern at the recent political developments in Madagascar.
She is the first president in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to comment on the crisis.
She expressed regret that the skirmishes in Madagascar came after the island nation assumed leadership of SADC, in August.
“It is regrettable, then, that these recent events appear to betray the very principles we reaffirmed only months ago,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She said any attempt to assume power through unconstitutional ran runs counter to the values and obligations that bind SADC member states.
“Such actions risk undermining the integrity of regional commitments, eroding public trust, and endangering the peace and stability that are foundational to our collective progress,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
In August this year, the Heads of State and Government of SADC convened in Antananarivo, Madagascar for the 45th Ordinary Summit.
Leaders made solemn and forward-looking pledges to deepen economic integration, boost industrialisation, transform agriculture, accelerate energy transition, and thereby improve the livelihoods of citizens.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said it was in this spirit that SADC noted that Rajoelina was elected as the chairperson of SADC.
“With this added responsibility, Madagascar holds a position of leadership and moral stewardship in the region,” the Namibian president said.
– CAJ News