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COMESA says military option for Madagascar possible

COMESA says military option for Madagascar possible
Written by VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe (Reuters)

In a resolution at the end of a two-day summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the 19-member organisation condemned the military-backed opposition revolt which ousted Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana in March.

Ravalomanana, who is exiled in South Africa, was at the summit in Zimbabwe to drum up more support after winning the backing of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU).

"We welcome and agreed, as pronounced by the AU, to support SADC as they take a lead in efforts to restore constitutional order in Madagascar by examining all options, including the possibility of military intervention," COMESA said.

The SADC and the AU both suspended Madagascar after

president Andry Rajoelina took over from the elected leader with the help of renegade soldiers, and called the former disc jockey's seizure of power "a coup."

Several donors, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have suspended non-emergency assistance to Madagascar.

Labels: COMESA, MADAGASCAR

posted by MrK @ 5:53 PM