SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY CONCERNED AT REPORTS CONCERNING MADAGASCAR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY CONCERNED AT REPORTS CONCERNING

MADAGASCAR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

The following statement was issued on 21 February by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has been following very closely the situation in Madagascar since the first round of presidential elections of 16 December 2001, the results of which called for a second round.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned at reports that candidate Marc Ravalomanana intends to proclaim himself president on 22 February avoiding the second round of presidential elections.  The Secretary-General rejects any attempts to take power outside of constitutional procedures.

The Secretary-General calls on the parties to respect the agreement concluded under the auspices of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and urges them to work within the framework of the recently established joint commission to find a negotiated solution to the crisis.

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