South Africa has agreed to assume the interim leadership of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) after Madagascar decided not to take up the rotating presidency this week.

The Malagasy government, which ousted President Andry Rajoelina, was due to hold the chairmanship until July 2026. However, the decision to relinquish the role stems from ongoing political instability, marked by mass protests and a deepening crisis following the September coup that dissolved key state institutions.

To discuss Madagascar’s political situation and its implications for SADC, we speak to Dr Frank Lekaba, Senior Lecturer at the Wits University School of Governance.