PRESS STATEMENT ON MADAGASCAR BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is the text of this afternoon’s press statement on Madagascar by the President of the Security Council, Jagdish Koonjul (Mauritius):

Members of the Security Council expressed concern over the situation of unrest prevailing in Madagascar and the potential for undermining peace and stability in that country in particular and the region as a whole.
 

The Security Council has taken note of the election results proclaimed by the High Constitutional Court of Madagascar and the ensuing decision to call for a second-ballot runoff between President Didier Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana, Mayor of Antananarivo.
 

The Security Council called on both candidates to comply with all constitutional, electoral and legal requirements and requested that the elections be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner, in the presence of international observers.  The Security Council called on the supporters of both candidates to refrain from violence.  The Security Council appealed to the Malagasy people to remain calm and to respect the results of the next round of elections.

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