Officials of the Refoundation regime are defending themselves against SADC recommendations. Less than 24 hours after the extraordinary summit of SADC heads of state and government, Madagascar's executive and legislative branches are united. Facing demands from the regional community, Antananarivo's position is clear: end of the regime in 2027 yes, but no concessions on the case of detainees. Regional diplomacy did not take long to provoke a reaction from those in power in Antananarivo. Following the extraordinary summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held on June 29, 2026, the institutions of the Refoundation firmly rejected the regional organization's demands. While showing good faith regarding respect for the electoral calendar, the government is locking its position on the judicial front. Leading the charge, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, president of the Refoundation, dismissed the term "political exiles" used by SADC. "There has been no persecution against political actors here. This is purely a matter of justice concerning persons prosecuted for theft and embezzlement of public funds. If they fled, it is because they reproach themselves for reprehensible acts," he clarified, faithfully translating the head of state's position. According to this senior official, the government prevents no one from returning to the country, but justice will relentlessly pursue its course against those who have diverted national wealth.
Judicial Procedures
The tone is identical from the Prime Minister's office. On the sidelines of a press briefing on Madagascar's evaluation under the second cycle of the examination of the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, held yesterday at Alarobia, Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison was categorical. "There are no political prisoners in Madagascar," he hammered to journalists. For the head of government, political personalities currently behind bars are there solely for having broken the law, falling within the strict framework of common law judicial procedures. This coordinated media statement serves as a direct response to SADC resolutions. Among the burning issues raised by the organization is the situation of those it qualifies as "political prisoners." SADC demanded their immediate release, the cessation of arrests deemed arbitrary targeting opposition leaders and members of the "Generation Z," as well as the return of exiles. While the constitutional regime appears inflexible on the judicial question, it is giving ground concerning democratic alternation. The Prime Minister thus reaffirmed that the Refoundation period will indeed end in December 2027. At that date, the Great Island should see the advent of a newly elected president, in accordance with the official timeline already transmitted to SADC bodies.
Consensus
In this chorus of justifications, the president of the National Assembly, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, came to support the Executive. The lower chamber leader sought to redefine the very notion of political detainee: "A political prisoner is a person incarcerated because of their political opinions or activities, and not for proven offenses before an independent tribunal. This must not be confused with cases of embezzlement of public funds, corruption, or other offenses prosecuted in accordance with the law, regardless of political affiliation," he emphasized insistently. A clear line of demarcation is thus drawn by Antananarivo's officials. While consensus is emerging on scrupulous respect for the electoral calendar to close the transition in December 2027, a major point of friction persists with SADC. It remains to be seen whether this sovereigntist firmness will convince donors and international partners in the coming months. Colonel Michael Randrianirina nevertheless reaffirmed the authorities' willingness to cooperate with SADC to resolve differences. He specified that the upcoming national forums will be inclusive, open to the opposition, but will remain "an affair between Malagasy, without external interference." The diplomatic standoff has begun.