(31 Mar 2009) SHOTLIST
1. Various of Southern African Development Community (SADC) officials at start of news conference
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Tomaz Salamao, SADC Executive Director:
"The extraordinary summit suspended Madagascar from all community institutions and organs until the return of the country to constitutional normalcy, with immediate effect"
3. Cutaway of journalists
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Tomaz Salamao, SADC Executive Director:
"The extraordinary summit urged the the former Mayor of Antananarivo, Mr Andry Rajoelina to vacate the office of the President as matter of urgency, paving the way for unconditional reinstatement of President Ravalomanana"
5. Cutaway of hand writing
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Tomaz Salamao, SADC Executive Director:
"The extraordinary summit further urges the developed countries to lift all forms of sanctions against Zimbabwe, as these sanctions will undermine the country's and SADC's efforts to normalise the situation in that member state"
7. Cutaway of cameras
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tomaz Salamao, SADC Executive Director:
"The extraordinary summit urged the donors, and the international financial institutions, and the international community in general, to support Zimbabwe and to provide it with the necessary financial support for its timely economic recovery"
9. Wide of SADC officials leaving news conference
STORYLINE
The African leaders group SADC (Southern African Development Community) suspended Madagascar's membership on Monday over the recent ousting of the country's elected president.
Speaking at a news conference in Lozitha, Swaziland, on Monday, SADC Executive Director Tomaz Salomao said the regional bloc urged former Mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajeolina, who ousted elected President Marc Ravalomanana, to vacant office.
Salomao said Ravalomanana should also be unconditionally reinstated as a matter of urgency.
Rajoelina, accusing Ravalomanana of corruption and mismanagement, had led a series of sometimes violent street protests that culminated with the military declaring him president this month.
At least eight-thousand people demonstrated in Madagascar on Monday in support of Ravalomanana.
The number of protesters at daily demonstrations has been steadily growing, despite moves by security forces to disrupt them in recent days by firing into the air and launching tear gas grenades.
SADC also called on the international community to reject Rajeolina's presidency and government and exact pressure towards the restoration of constitutional rule.
Meanwhile speaking on Zimbabwe Salomao said SADC urged developed countries to lift sanctions against Harare, claiming they were undermining the body's "efforts to normalise the situation in that member state"
Zimbabwe's new unity government that was installed there after a year of political violence and impasse has asked its neighbours for two (b) billion US dollars to support retail and other sectors, and the rest to help schools and restore health and municipal services.
A committee of Finance Ministers from South Africa, Zambia, DRC, Botswana, Zimbabwe was established to coordinate SADC support to Zimbabwe's recovery process.
The coordinating committee was mandated to visit major capitals in Europe, Asia and America to canvas for financial support to finance the Zimbabwe recovery plan.
Salomao said it was time the international community started helping Zimbabwe with "the necessary financial support for its timely economic recovery".
However Southern African nations have limited resources.
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