Press Release: H.E. Marc RAVALOMANANA

From: Madagascar Presidency
Date: 2010/1/24


PRESS RELEASE
STATEMENT FROM H.E. MARC RAVALOMANANA

January 24, 2010

The leader of Madagascar's illegal coup regime is attempting the
impossible: to re-write recent history in an effort to blame the
international community, not himself, for Madagascar's nightmarish woes.

Only a tyrannical dictator would hijack a country at gunpoint; oust
democratically-elected leaders; commit grave human rights violations; and
bring the nation to the brink of social, economic, and political ruin.

Incredibly and ironically, the coup leader proclaims himself a champion of
democracy and the masses, while banning opponents from the political
process, reneging on political agreements, and laying the groundwork for
sham elections, defying the wishes of the Malagasy people and the world
for the return of genuine democracy and constitutional order.

Since the coup in Madagascar last March, the international community – the
United Nations, the African Union, the Southern African Development
Community, the European Union, and the United States – has consistently
branded the coup regime illegal and unacceptable.

Last year, with the support of the international community, Madagascar's
four main political movements, including one representing the coup regime,
signed an agreement to form a consensus and inclusive transition
government.

The Maputo Agreements provided a framework for exiting the crisis and
restoring democracy and constitutional order.

However, the coup regime quickly abandoned the agreement and resumed its
oppressive crackdown on the Malagasy people.

Restoring democracy, human rights, and constitutional order in Madagascar
is non-negotiable.

As the twice democratically-elected president of Madagascar, I repeat my
commitment to finding a consensual and inclusive solution to this crisis.

I urge all fellow Malagasy citizens, with the support and help of the
international community, to join hands on the path to righteousness.

By respecting the Maputo Agreements and by forming the agreed-upon
transition government, we can restore democracy and constitutional order.

This is the solution sought by the vast majority of the Malagasy people,
and this is the solution the international community supports.

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Please direct further inquires to Guy Rivo RANDRIANARISOA
Spokesman of the RAVALOMANANA Movement
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