Different strokes for different folks

Two weeks ago, SADC was uncharacteristically swift to condemn the coup that saw Marc Ravalomanana deposed by disc jockey-turned politician, Andre Rajoelina in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar. Even the moribund African Union (AU) reacted with alarming alacrity to expel the new Malagasy regime from membership of the continental body.

As the Malagasy debacle played itself out over three months of power struggle, SADC sent low-key emissaries to try and defuse the situation. But the speed with which the events were unfolding called for the urgent attention of nothing less than SADC heads of state and government.