AU And SADC intensify their joint efforts to accelerate the resolution of the crisis in Madagascar

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, August 2, 2013 As part of the efforts aimed at facilitating an early return to constitutional order in Madagascar, through the organization of presidential elections in line with the Roadmap for ending the crisis in that country, the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ramtane Lamamra, who is also the Chair of the International Contact Group on Madagascar (ICG-M), and the Mediator of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), former President Joaquim Chissano, undertook a visit to Antananarivo, on 1 and 2 August 2013. During their visit, they met the President of the Transition, Andry Rajoelina, the signatory parties of the Roadmap and the Independent National Electoral Commission of the Transition (CENI-T), as well as the local chapter of the ICG-M.

The visit was aimed at discussing with the Malagasy parties the legal and practical arrangements to be taken for the effective conduct of the presidential and legislative elections in accordance with the Roadmap and the Malagasy electoral code. During their previous visit to Antananarivo, from 9 to 13 July 2013, the joint AU/SADC delegation submitted to the Malagasy parties a Seven-Point Plan designed to implement the conclusions of the 7th meeting of the ICG-M, held in Addis Ababa, on 26 June 2013.

At a press conference held at the end of their visit, former President Chissano and Commissioner Lamamra, while highlighting the spirit of compromise and the sense of responsibility required in order to overcome the remaining difficulties, expressed optimism about the prospects of ending the crisis in Madagascar. They assured the Malagasy parties of the readiness of the international community to support them, provided that the conditions laid down by SADC, the AU and the ICG-M with respect to the holding of the presidential election are met.

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