Within the framework of efforts to find a consensual, inclusive, and durable solution to the crisis in Madagascar, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mediator, Joaquim Chissano, with the support and facilitation of the President of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, convened a meeting of the heads of the four political movements of Madagascar in Pretoria, South Africa, from 28 to 30 April 2010.
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Jean Ping and the SADC Executive Secretary, Tomaz Salomao, also participated in the meeting. A representative of the United Nations (UN) also attended the meeting.
The Pretoria meeting was attended by the leaders of the political movements; Andry Rajoelina, Marc Ravalomanana, Albert Zafy and Didier Ratsiraka.
The mediator with the support and the facilitation of President Zuma engaged the leaders of the four political movements to forge a common ground for a durable solution to the crisis.
During the consultations, the movements unanimously agreed on the need to return the country to constitutional normalcy through an electoral process that is inclusive, credible, free and fair.
To this end, the leaders of the movements recognised the imperative of establishing, with immediate effect, an inclusive and consensual transitional government.
Throughout the consultations, the mediator sought the views of the leaders of the movements on a number of issues to unblock the impasse and allow for consensus for a speedy restoration of a democratic dispensation.
Furthermore, the leaders recognised the importance of establishing an inclusive National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) that would take overall responsibility for the organisation and conduct of the elections, so as to ensure that such elections are inclusive, transparent, credible, free and fair.
It was generally acknowledged that in order to heal the divisions of the past and achieve the peace, stability and prosperity that all the Malagasy people seek, there is a need to implement a process of national reconciliation.
In the course of the consultations, the movement leaders strongly expressed the view that the Maputo agreements and the Additional Act of Addis Ababa, negotiated and signed by all the parties constitute, despite challenges faced in the implementation, a decisive gain in the process to end the crisis and an essential foundation for leading an inclusive, consensual transition, in the shortest time possible.
The consultations were productive and a number of good and useful proposals were put forward by the leaders of the movements. However, time did not allow for a more exhaustive discussion in addressing all the outstanding issues.
In this regard, at the conclusion of the consultations, the leaders of the four movements committed themselves to reconvene in approximately 15 days in South Africa to resolve all outstanding matters. In order to achieve this, they will continue to engage in dialogue and to consult with all stakeholders. The mediator remains available to help them engage in such constructive dialogue.
The mediator and the host, President Zuma, urged all the leaders of the movements to work expeditiously towards the restoration of the constitutional order within the framework of the Maputo agreements and the Additional Act of Addis Ababa.
The leaders of the movements expressed their profound gratitude to the host, President Jacob Zuma, for hosting the meeting and for the hospitality extended to all the delegations. The leaders of the movements also paid tribute to the SADC mediator for his perseverance in efforts to find a durable solution to the crisis in their country.
Issued by: The Presidency
30 April 2010
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/)
