Vice President Dr Jane Ansah has issued a strong warning to leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), urging them to act decisively to stop the deepening political crisis in Madagascar before it spills over into the wider region.

Speaking from Lilongwe on Monday during an extraordinary virtual SADC Organ Troika Summit, Dr Ansah said the bloc must move with urgency, discipline and unity if it is to retain credibility and protect regional peace.

“There is an urgent need for SADC to remain focused on implementation and in strict observance of the timelines we have set,” Dr Ansah said. “Our actions must clearly demonstrate to the Malagasy people that we identify with their situation and are committed to resolving it.”

The high-level summit was convened under delegated authority from President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation, amid growing concern over instability in the Indian Ocean Island state.

Those in attendance included representatives of King Mswati III of Eswatini, the incoming Chairperson of the Organ, and Tanzanian President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, the outgoing Chairperson, alongside Malawi Foreign Affairs Minister Dr George T. Chaponda, SADC senior cabinet members, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Mpedi Magosi, and top officials from the SADC Secretariat.

At the centre of deliberations was a report from a SADC Technical Fact-Finding Mission, dispatched to Madagascar to engage political leaders, security agencies and civil society following the country’s military takeover.

Dr Ansah said the findings left no room for delay, applauding the Technical Fact-Finding Mission for what she described as “a comprehensive and courageous report” that now anchors SADC’s response.

“There are many stakeholders involved and many more yet to be engaged,” she said. “That is precisely why SADC must take concrete and visible action - not tomorrow, but now.”

She said Malawi, as Chair of the Organ, was counting on the full backing of regional partners to steer Madagascar back to stability.

“In the spirit of collective decision-making enshrined in the Troika system, Malawi counts on the support and wisdom of the region and beyond to be part of the solution,” Dr Ansah said.

SADC Executive Secretary Elias Mpedi Magosi described the summit as “critical” and praised President Mutharika for authorizing it.

“This engagement is timely and necessary. SADC will work relentlessly to implement the recommendations presented by the mission team,” Magosi said.

Madagascar has been in upheaval since a military takeover in October 2025, following youth-led protests sparked by shortages of basic commodities, entrenched corruption and worsening poverty. The unrest has triggered fears of prolonged instability and humanitarian fallout.