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MADAGASCAR’S President Hery Rajaonarimampianina has applauded Sadc intervention in brokering peace in his country which paved way for the December 2013 elections that restored stability in his country.
The former finance minister won the presidential election on December 20, the first in the country since the 2009 coup that plunged Madagascar into a political crisis that sharply slowed economic growth and deepened poverty.
He told Heads of States and Governments during the 34 Sadc Summit, which ended here yesterday that his country’s return to the regional body following the four year long strife was a giant step towards restoring normalcy and development for his people.
“The meaning of this summit for Madagascar and its people is great. We’re back to the Sadc family after five years of absence,” he said.
“This summit constitutes the ideal platform to express our solemn gratitude to Sadc efforts in helping us come of political crisis through a process that led to free elections.”
President Rajaonarimampianina said his country will always remember that “it was Sadc that brokered the lifting of sanctions in Madagascar,” in January this year after the elections.
“Our words won’t be sufficient to express our happiness. Our government is committed to address challenges in economic recovery, restoring rule of law and political stability,” he added.
He said Madagascar was committed to abiding by the shared regional ideology and common economic approaches for enhancement of improved livelihoods for a majority.
He said establishing decentralised, robust economies, was key for Sadc and urged improved local industrial production, infrastructure development and sustainable exploitation of natural resources.
President Rajaonarimampianina said for the past six months in office his government has prioritised strengthening institutions despite limited resources.
He said efforts were underway to foster the return of political exiles through a reconciliation process so they participate in nation building.
“Some of the exiles are being freely integrated into our institutions. I met former president (Marc Ravalomanana) in Johannesburg last month and he is keen to come back home within the framework of reconciliation. I have granted his children free movement home,” said President Rajaonarimampianina.
He said his government has set development priorities that include infrastructure development at the ports, energy production and agriculture in order to achieve food security.
“Our 2009 suspension from Sadc was a big problem. We have to catch up from lost time. We hope to tap opportunities offered in Sadc from 2015 to 2020,” he said.
derick.khumalo