afrol News, 29 July - The President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina has reportedly boycotted the consultative meeting with SADC mediators, which commenced yesterday.

The meeting convened by the Special envoys from SADC), the United Nations and the African Union amongst others, is to seek a lasting solution in the Madagascar political crisis.

Reports have revealed that the envoys failed to convince the young Indian Ocean leader to be part of the meeting or even get any of his representatives to be in attendance.

The SADC special envoy Joaquim Chissano was reported to have told a media briefing that the meeting was aimed at facilitating a solution to the crisis, though not outrightly admitting a failure in getting both sides onto the talks. Only the side of the deposed former president was reported to have heeded the call.

Mr Rajoelina declared last week that he would not be part of the talks with the former president, Marc Ravalomanana, with political analysts saying his stance could be a sign he would not heed the international mediators suggestions for a political solution.

The mediators had suggested in May that both Rajoelina and the former president should not be candidates in the next election in the Indian Ocean Island expected to be held within a year.

The 35 years old president had amongst his reform schedules one that would change the national constitution to allow him stand for the presidential, as the current reading of the supreme law say he is too young to stand and will have to wait at least five more years to reach the eligibility age of 40.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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