King demands restoration of constitutional order in Madagascar

LOZITHA – The Incoming Chairman of the SADC Troika, His Majesty King Mswati III, has called upon all law enforcement agencies in the Republic of Madagascar to restore constitutional normalcy with immediate effect.

The King made this statement following a courtesy call from the President of the Republic of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, during which the current situation leading to his unconstitutional removal from the presidency was explained.

Procedurally, if a Head of State has been removed from Office in an unconstitutional manner, they have the right to be heard before any action is taken. This principle is enshrined in the protocol declared and adopted by SADC. Under the current circumstances, the president, who held the position of chairman at the time of his unconstitutional removal, should have been afforded the opportunity to be heard by the King, who is the incoming Chairman of the SADC Troika. However, the King has been committed to the annual Incwala Ceremony since last year, making it hard to listen to the president.

It is worth noting that prior to engaging with the President, the King had consultations with the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooporation and the chairman of SADC. After listening to the president, the King affirmed that his removal from the presidency was unconstitutional. He further stated that the President had been successfully elected in accordance with the constitution in 2023.

The King emphasised that the principles and protocols of SADC are against and will always oppose the unconstitutional removal of Heads of State from Office. He expressed deep concern over the developments in Madagascar, where a sitting president was removed unlawfully, actions which contravene United Nations and African Union principles and protocols. The King also noted that the international community is increasingly concerned with the issue of silencing the guns.

President Rajoelina fled the country on October12, 2025, following the overthrow of his government by CAPSAT, an elite unit of the Madagascar Armed Forces. This event was the culmination of protest movements that began in late September 2025. The unit urged other military personnel to join them, leading to the seizure of the capital, Antananarivo, with minimal resistance.