From the state’s leadership to Parliament, a coordinated response was organized yesterday in reaction to the latest SADC communiqué. Political detainees, exiles, and the call for inclusive national dialogue: these sensitive points in the missive have put the government on the defensive.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in its communiqué published on Monday following an extraordinary summit, touched on several sensitive issues that triggered a wave of reactions yesterday. From the Head of State to the Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and government supporters, the rebuttal was swift and unified.
The pushback focused on points concerning political detainees, exiles, and the inclusivity of the national dialogue process. Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison was the first to react. When questioned by the press yesterday morning on the sidelines of an anti-corruption workshop at Novotel, Alarobia, the head of the Mahazoarivo government stated: ‘There are no political prisoners in Madagascar.’
According to the Prime Minister, the individuals detained since the military took power are ‘suspected of breaking the law.’ He added, ‘The Malagasy justice system is independent. The government does not interfere. Those who have broken the law must answer to the courts, but there are no political prisoners in Madagascar.’
Prime Minister Rajaonarison’s remarks seemingly triggered a chain reaction, with the phrase echoed across pro-government publications. Even Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, President of the National Assembly, joined the chorus of responses.
‘The summit called for the release of political detainees, the end of arbitrary arrests of opposition leaders and members of the Gen Z movement, and the return of political exiles,’ were among the points reported in the SADC statement. The discussions during yesterday’s summit relied on the report from the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, stemming from the third assessment mission carried out by the SADC Committee of Elders in Madagascar in early May.
The SADC missions met with some of the individuals held in preventive detention since the beginning of the ‘Refondation’ administration. Most are former political figures from the government ousted after the September and October protests, largely accused of undermining state security—a charge frequently leveled against political actors.
Furthermore, the state appears to be reclaiming the narrative regarding the discussions at the SADC summit. While the SADC has already issued an official communiqué, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a separate statement yesterday evening detailing the decisions made.
‘The various SADC missions in Madagascar concluded that the detainees were convicted for common law offenses, not for political motives,’ the Ministry stated. However, these political figures remain in preventive detention awaiting trial.
Returning from a trip to Morondava yesterday afternoon, Head of State Colonel Michaël Randrianirina spoke at Ivato Airport. In a brief, staged video statement, he sought to provide ‘clarifications’ on the status of exiles and the question of inclusivity in the national dialogue process highlighted by the regional organization.
‘There was no prosecution. They fled on their own, and if they fled, it is because they have things to answer for. I do not prevent them from returning. But the State is pursuing those who embezzled public funds and plundered national wealth,’ declared the colonel. Regarding the national dialogue, he assured, ‘Our position is clear. It is about the participation of everyone, including those in the opposition.’
The head of Iavoloha specified, however, that ‘the national dialogue is reserved for Malagasy people and not for foreigners. It is the Malagasy who will participate, not people who are no longer considered Malagasy.’ Though not explicitly named, Colonel Randrianirina was referring to former President Andry Rajoelina, whom the current authorities have stripped of his Malagasy nationality.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-01 06:12:51 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/conjoncture-le-pouvoir-fait-front-face.html