Affiliated Network for Social Accountability (ANSA-Africa)

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Madagascar: Communique of the Consultative Meeting on the Situation
1 May 2009

At the initiative of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Mr Jean Ping, and in line with the relevant decisions of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU, the inaugural consultative meeting of the International Contact Group on Madagascar took place in Addis Ababa on 30 April 2009. In addition to the AU, this meeting was attended by the following organizations and countries: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA); European Union (EU); Indian Ocean Commission (IOC); International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF); Southern African Development Community (SADC), represented by H.E. Honorable Mr Lufto Dlamini, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Swaziland, Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation; and United Nations. Libya, current chair of the AU, represented by H.E. Dr Abdalla Alzubeidi, Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the Union; Burundi, on behalf of the AU PSC; and the African members and permanent members of the UN Security Council also participated in the meeting. The Contact Group aims to better coordinate the efforts of the international community to promote the rapid return to constitutional order in Madagascar.

The participants reviewed the developments in Madagascar since the unconstitutional change that occurred in that country on 17 March 2009. They reported on the decisions and statements issued by their respective organizations and countries on the situation in Madagascar, and the initiatives taken for the rapid return to constitutional order in Madagascar. In this context, the AU and UN Special Envoys, namely Mr Ablassé Ouedraogo and Mr Tiébilé Dramé, respectively, informed the participants of the developments of the situation and the initiatives taken by the international community on the ground. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Swaziland, Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation, briefed the meeting on the decision on the situation in Madagascar adopted by the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, held on 30 March 2009.

The participants stressed that the process of devolution of power that occurred in Madagascar took place in flagrant violation of the relevant provisions of the Malagasy Constitution and that the subsequent decision to confer the office of President of the Republic to Mr Andry Rajoelina constitutes an unconstitutional change of Government. They strongly condemned this unconstitutional change of Government as yet another serious setback in the democratization processes underway on the continent, which reinforces the concern about the resurgence of the scourge of coups d’Etat in Africa, as expressed by the 12th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held in Addis Ababa from 1 to 4 February 2009.

The participants reiterated their rejection of the unconstitutional change of Government that occurred in Madagascar and, accordingly, called on all members of the international community to refrain from any action that could complicate efforts to restore constitutional order in that country.

The participants underlined the imperative for a rapid return to constitutional order through a consensual process involving all the Malagasy political actors and based on the respect for the relevant provisions of the Constitution, and reiterated their commitment to work together to assist the Malagasy parties to achieve this objective.

The participants reaffirmed the readiness of their respective organizations and countries to support the process of restoring constitutional order under the auspices of the AU and based on the following objectives and principles: a clear calendar towards holding free, fair and transparent elections involving all stakeholders under a neutral electoral body including representatives of all political camps; the involvement of all the political and social stakeholders of the country, including President Marc Ravalomanana as well as other national personalities, in the search for a solution; promotion of consensus among the Malagasy parties; respect for the Constitution of Madagascar; compliance with relevant AU instruments and the international commitments of Madagascar. The participants emphasized the risks associated with any unilateral move to legitimize the unconstitutional change that occurred in Madagascar and urged the de facto authorities and other Malagasy parties to place the interests of Madagascar and the search for consensus above all other considerations.

In this context, it was agreed that the AU Special Envoy for Madagascar, in collaboration with representatives of the international community in Antananarivo and in light of the discussions that have already begun under the aegis of the AU and the UN, will make contact with all the Malagasy parties to agree with them on ways and means for a speedy return to constitutional order based on the principles mentioned in paragraph 6 above. In this regard, the participants agreed to establish, an operational arm of the Contact Group on Madagascar in Antananarivo, under the chairmanship of the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the AU Commission. This local structure must meet at least once a week. In this respect, the meeting noted with appreciation the intention of SADC to appoint a Special Envoy for Madagascar.

In the meantime, the participants appealed to all the Malagasy parties to refrain from any actions that could complicate the search for a solution. They strongly condemned the acts of violence and incitement to violence occurring in Madagascar, and stressed the need for the de facto authorities, including the security forces, to scrupulously observe the fundamental freedoms and human rights.

The participants urged the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to alleviate the difficult living conditions of the people of Madagascar, which have been worsened by the current political developments.

The participants agreed to continue working together under the auspices of the AU and in support of its efforts to promote an early settlement of the crisis and a return to constitutional order in Madagascar. They agreed to hold their next meeting at a time and a place to be determined, on the advice of the operational arm of the Contact Group in Antananarivo.