The SADC Secretariat has been directed to engage strategic partners, such as the Indian Ocean Commission, the African Union, and the United Nations, over the political and security crisis in Madagascar. 

These engagements are to ensure coordinated and complementary interventions. 

The directive follows an extraordinary summit of the SADC Organ Troika, chaired by President Peter Mutharika of Malawi, on Thursday. 

The regional leaders also approved a comprehensive assessment of the roadmap to end the crisis in the island nation.

The assessment is expected to be conducted by Organ Troika members, namely Malawi, Eswatini and Tanzania, with support from the SADC Panel of Elders and the Mediation Reference Group.

As tensions continue to escalate, military leader Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced he would be sworn in as President on Friday despite President Andry Rajoelina's decision not to step down and the African Union calling for the upholding of constitutionalism.

The AU has since suspended Madagascar after the military takeover in rejection of unconstitutional government changes. 

Report: Blanche Goreses