Secretary-General, Noting Return of Madagascar’s Former President, Urges Respect for Elected Government

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General has taken note of the return to Madagascar of former President Marc Ravalomanana on 13 October.  He rejects the remarks Mr. Ravalomanana made during a press conference challenging the legitimacy of the institutions borne of the country’s recent elections.

The Secretary-General stresses the imperative of respecting the legitimacy of the democratically elected Government and the rule of law.  He calls on all political actors and stakeholders to continue working together towards an inclusive national reconciliation process, the full implementation of the Southern African Development Community Road Map, the deepening of democratic governance and economic recovery for the good of all Malagasies.