On January 16, 2026, Malagasy transition president Michaël Randrianirina met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria. Ramaphosa, who is also the current chairperson of SADC, engaged in talks amid rising political tensions in Madagascar. As the international community closely monitors the situation, Ramaphosa emphasized the urgent need for Madagascar to adhere to democratic standards and submit a clear roadmap for its political transition before March 2026, warning that failure to do so could jeopardize the country’s stability.
On January 16, 2026, Malagasy transition president Michaël Randrianirina made a working visit to Pretoria, South Africa, where he met with President Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa and the current chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This meeting comes at a time when the political situation in Madagascar is causing growing concern within the international community. During the talks, the South African president stressed the urgent necessity for Madagascar to respect ongoing democratic processes.
“We did not carry out a coup d’état. It was the president’s will to leave the country. It is impossible to achieve significant change in one or two months, or even in one or two years. We cannot initiate a refoundation or a genuine recovery that quickly. I believe Generation Z, which is largely educated, will be able to understand what is possible and what is not.”
As the current SADC chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa underscored the international community’s expectation for Madagascar to submit a clear roadmap for the political transition, in line with regional commitments. SADC has demanded that this plan be presented before March 2026 to ensure the country’s stability.
“We urge the transition government to initiate an inclusive Malagasy national dialogue, led by Malagasy authorities during the transition period, so that it can pave the way for elections and facilitate the peaceful return of political exiles so they too can participate.”
Transition President Michaël Randrianirina views his Pretoria meeting as a key moment to reassure the international community and highlight the urgency of acting in accordance with democratic norms. This regional pressure tests the legitimacy of the Malagasy authorities, facing demands from its African partners for deep and lasting reforms. Colonel Michaël Randrianirina took power in Madagascar on October 14, 2025, and was inaugurated as transition president on October 17, 2025.