Pretoria - South Africa on Wednesday said it believed elections could be held in crisis-hit Madagascar in the next 12 months.
"We believe the atmosphere is getting better... The next step is to make sure that we have an implementary office (sic) to proceed with all the progress that has been made thus far," International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Marius Fransman told reporters in Cape Town.
Regional leaders have been seeking to resolve the Madagascar crisis that began when Andry Rajoelina, backed by the military, toppled Marc Ravalomanana in 2009. Ravalomanana has since been in exile in South Africa. 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.
A SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ Troika held a meeting earlier this month to bring the warring parties together in an African Union backed mission to solve the political impasse that has crippled the island's economy.
Fransman, who was part of the delegation, said after extensive consultations, it emerged that there was "sufficient consensus" for political stakeholders to sign the proposed AU road map for Madagascar.
In the end, 10 of the 11 political stakeholders signed the road map, while nine others supported it, he said. The road map calls on all political players in Madagascar to work together in finding a lasting solution to that country's problems.
Fransman also poured scorn on the threats by authorities in Madagascar that they would send police to South Africa to arrest the island nation's exiled president. Foreign police have no arrest powers in South Africa.
In a statement, the Troika further called on the parties in Madagascar to adhere to the relevant international norms and standards if the country was to deliver peace and prosperity to its people. It said SADC would continue to support the mediation process in Madagascar, including the establishment of the body's liaison office as a matter of urgency. - BuaNews
