Leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Thursday midnight called for an end to the conflicts in the southern African region, in particular those in Zimbabwe and Madagascar, Xinhua reported.
The appeal was made at a meeting here, which was attended by Zambian President Rupiah Banda, Namibian President Hifikepunya Pohamba, South African President Jacob Zuma, Mozambique President Armando Emilio Guebuza, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
In a statement, the leaders urged Madagascar to immediately restore constitutional order, pledging full support to the SADC Mediation Team to help Madagascar find a lasting solution to the crisis.
The leaders also expressed grave concern over the political situation in Zimbabwe, calling for an immediate end to violence and other harsh moves so as to create an environment that is conducive to peace, security and political stability.
They pledged to assist Zimbabwe in preparing for a peaceful, free and fair election.
Regarding the situation in other parts of the African continent, the leaders called on Cote d'Ivoire's strongman Laurent Gbagbo to cede power to Allassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of Ivorian presidential elections, to avoid further bloodshed.
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