Mbabane - Southern African nations have named a new special envoy to Madagascar in a move to help facilitate the return of democratic rule in the east African nation, state media said on Monday.
Swaziland's former prime minister Absalom Themba Dlamini was chosen to lead a new mission to Madagascar by King Mswati III, who currently heads the security organ of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
"Dlamini would be SADC's man on the ground, co-ordinating and meeting all parties involved and facilitating the peaceful return of ousted president Marc Ravalomanana," foreign minister Absalom Lutfo Dlamini told Radio Swaziland.
Madagascar has been embroiled in a political turmoil since former opposition leader Andry Rajoelina toppled the Indian Ocean island's elected president Marc Ravalomanana with army backing on March 17.
The African Union says Rajoelina has agreed to hold elections in December.
The new SADC envoy will lead a team to Madagascar on Tuesday and report back to the grouping next week, Dlamini said.
"One of his duties would be to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections before the end of the year where a new leader would be democratically elected," he added.
The African Union says Rajoelina has agreed to hold elections in December.
