From the State leadership to Parliament, the government organized a coordinated response yesterday to the SADC communiqué. Political detainees, exiles, and the inclusivity of national dialogue emerged as sensitive points that put authorities on the defensive.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in its communiqué published Monday following an extraordinary summit, touched on issues that triggered a wave of reactions yesterday. From the Head of State through the Prime Minister, the National Assembly president, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and government supporters, responses came in rapid succession.

The counterattacks focused on concerns regarding political detainees, exiles, and the inclusivity of the national dialogue process. Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison was the first to respond. Questioned by the press yesterday morning at the launch of Madagascar's anti-corruption evaluation workshops at the Novotel in Alarobia, he declared: "There are no political detainees in Madagascar."

According to the head of government, individuals detained since the military takeover "are suspected of breaking the law." He added, "Madagascar's justice system is independent. The government does not interfere. Those who broke the law must answer to justice, but there are no political detainees in Madagascar."

The Prime Minister's remarks triggered a chain reaction. The phrase "there are no political detainees in Madagascar" was repeated in pro-government publications, with some even providing definitions of political detainees. National Assembly President Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, known for his vocal Facebook posts, also joined the response.

The SADC communiqué stated: "The Summit called for the release of political detainees, an end to arbitrary arrests of opposition leaders and Gen Z members, and the return of political exiles to the country." Yesterday's summit discussions were based on reports from the Political, Defense and Security Cooperation Organ, stemming from the SADC Elders Committee's third evaluation mission to Madagascar in early May.

The SADC missions met with several individuals held in preventive detention since the Refondation administration began. Most are former political figures from the ousted government following September and October demonstrations, accused primarily of threatening state security—a charge frequently leveled at political actors.

The State appears intent on controlling the narrative about the extraordinary SADC summit. While SADC released an official communiqué, the Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement yesterday evening on summit decisions. "SADC missions determined that detained persons were convicted of common law offenses, not political motives. This was noted in all three mission reports," the ministry stated.

However, the political figures facing legal proceedings remain in preventive detention awaiting trial. Upon returning from Morondava yesterday afternoon, Head of State Colonel Michaël Randrianirina made brief filmed remarks, seeking to clarify the exile situation and national dialogue inclusivity. "There were no prosecutions. They fled themselves. If they fled, it's because they have things to answer for. I don't prevent their return. But the State prosecutes those who embezzled public funds and plundered national wealth," he said. On national dialogue, he assured that "our position is clear—participation by all, including the opposition." He specified, however, that "national dialogue is reserved for Madagascans, not foreigners."