The participating organisations were 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
2
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
Addis Ababa, 30 April 2009