Pretoria -The Troika of the politics, defence and security organ of SADC is meeting in Madagascar to try to revive the moribund peace process in that country.
Led by South Africa, the Troika delegation, in its fact-finding mission to Madagascar, will engage the Malagasy stakeholders to accept the Road Map as amended by the SADC Extraordinary Summit held in Sandton, South Africa, in June 2011.
International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Marius Llewellyn Fransman, is leading the two-day talks, as South Africa has just taken the chair of the Troika.
The team will seek to find a solution and iron out the sticking point, which is to allow Malagasy people in exile for political reasons to return to that country unconditionally, including Marc Ravalomanana.
SADC suspended Madagascar two years ago after the current leader, Andry Rajoelina, seized power from elected President Marc Ravalomanana in a military coup.
Ravalomanana has been in South Africa since stepping down in March 2009 amid violent street protests. He faces life in prison in Madagascar after being sentenced in absentia for the killing of demonstrators by his presidential guard during the protests that led to his overthrow.
The Troika will have to look into that matter with urgency, as the island is apparently rumbling again as the stalemate continues, with rumours of new coups.
International Relations said South Africa, as chair of the Troika Organ, will continue to support the SADC Mediator, former President of Mozambique Joachim Chissano, and Leonardo Simao, former Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was appointed by Chissano as his special envoy.
"The mediator is tasked with leading efforts towards an amicable solution to the Malagasy political impasse and to return the country to constitutional governance," said the ministry.
Delegations from Zambia and Tanzania will also form part of the SADC Troika Organ Ministerial Mission.
Deputy Minister Fransman's delegation comprises senior officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. - BuaNews
