The Madagascar Crisis, SADC Mediation and the Changing Indian Oceanic Order

Abstract

The political stability of Madagascar has been fragile for decades. In 2009, Madagascar experienced what was considered to be an unconstitutional change of government when power was usurped from then president, Marc  Ravalomanana, by then mayor of the capital, Andry Rajoelina, with military assistance. The 2009 crisis is indicative  of the vulnerability of this island state to deep-seated structural factors relating to its history, geostrategic position  on the Indian Ocean and elite cultures. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) would lead the  condemnation of this forced change of government as unconstitutional and refuse to recognise Rajoelina as a head  of state of what was then suspended Madagascar.