Sadc presses for Madagascar talks

“What Sadc has decided to do is to try to pull together all the activities that are taking place under the leadership of the mediator and his team,” Jacob Zuma, the South African president, said at the post-summit briefing.

Madagascar, which was suspended from the bloc in March, had no official representation but fallen leader Ravalomanana held informal bilateral talks with several participants. He did not officially address the summit, while Rajoelina was not invited.

The bloc announced the summit on Thursday, following the suspension of mediation efforts by the African Union and United Nations earlier in the week.