Brussels, 22/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Union remains very concerned about the decision of the High Transitional Authority of Madagascar to implement the roadmap emerging from the Ivato Political Agreement and from the National Conference of September 2010. It therefore calls on the “High Transitional Authority and on all well-intentioned Malagasy factions with the national interest at heart to resume dialogue as a matter of urgency to ensure that the transition process is really based on consensus and allows the appointment of a government of national unity and a swift return to constitutional order, founded on credible and open elections”.
This appeal was launched by Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in a declaration published on Friday evening, the day before a mutiny by some 20 officers trying to topple Andry Rajoelina, the president of the High Transitional Authority, was quashed. The declaration states that “owing to the lack of consensus and transparency surrounding the adoption of that route out of the crisis, the European Union has been unable to agree to a request by the Malagasy authorities to send an EU election observer” to Madagascar for this constitutional referendum and the local elections to be held on 20 December. Ashton went on to state that the abortive military coup d'état which took place on the day of the referendum of 17 November throughout the country “bears witness to persistent economic, social and security tensions”.
The EU states that it is prepared to make a political and financial contribution to support an intra-Malagasy process, supported by the international mediation of the African Union and the SADC. It is worth noting that the failed military coup d'état is a further symptom of a political crisis due to the overthrow of President Marc Ravalomanana in March 2009. (A.N./transl.fl)