"The Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced plans to deploy a Panel of Elders and a Mediation Reference Group to Madagascar, in a bid to stabilise the political situation and support the path towards 'free, fair and credible elections'. The announcement was made during a virtual extraordinary SADC summit on Thursday, where South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the current SADC Chair, urged Malagasy citizens and political actors to embrace dialogue and reconciliation. “We call on the people of Madagascar to take this opportunity to deeply reflect on the challenges facing their country and choose the path of peace, unity, reconciliation and development,” Ramaphosa said in his closing remarks. The president welcomed recent signs of calm in the country, noting progress in consultations launched earlier this month. “We welcome the restoration of calm in Madagascar and have noted that the national consultative process launched by the Transitional Government on the 10th of December has proceeded well,” he added. The SADC Chair called on the Transitional Government to initiate a Malagasy-owned and Malagasy-led inclusive national dialogue, saying it would help lay the groundwork for fresh elections and the return of political exiles. “As much as conflict and instability in one part of the region impacts us all, our cooperation is key to our region’s stability, peace and progress,” Ramaphosa stressed. Madagascar has been grappling with political turmoil following months of unrest after former President Andry Rajoelina dissolved his government in September amid nationwide Gen-Z led protests. Colonel Randrianirina subsequently assumed the presidency, forming a military-led committee to work alongside a transitional administration for up to two years, pending new elections. The country’s High Constitutional Court has approved the new administration, despite continued opposition from the former president, who remains in exile and has refused to step down."