Pretoria - South Africa has cautioned against "unilateral measures" taken prior to the Southern African Development Community's report on the political crisis in Madagascar.
Reacting to an announcement by former Malagasy president Marc Ravalomanana's intention to return home this weekend, the Department of International Relations says no ultimatum had been given to him to leave the country.
"The South African government cautions against any unilateral measures taken prior to the SADC Organ meeting, where the SADC mediator will deliver his report on Madagascar, " department spokesperson Clayson Monyela said.
Ravalomanana fled into exile two years ago following a military-backed coup that brought the former mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, to power.
His overthrow triggered a political crisis that has hammered island's economy and seen government spending fall dramatically after donors froze aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The African Union and SADC have refused to recognise the Rajoelina government and many international donors have suspended non-humanitarian aid, leading to further economic decline.
Ravalomanana was last year was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment for the deaths of 30 protestors killed by the presidential guard.
There are fears that his plans to return home on Saturday could raise political tension amid international efforts to end a two-year leadership row.
SADC has mediated two power-sharing accords but these have failed. Rajoelina last year said he would organise a transitional government and hold elections without international mediation, a proposal that was rejected by the major opposition parties.
SADC mediator Leonardo Simao recently proposed a new plan, under which Rajoelina would remain interim president and a transitional government of all parties would organise elections later this year. Ravalomanana rejected the proposal.
Monyela said government was waiting for the final report of the mediator and once the report had been delivered, South Africa's position on the issue would be communicated.
"South Africa continues to support efforts by the SADC mediator to assist Madagascar to return to constitutional normalcy," said Monyela.
