ADDIS ABABA – The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 415th meeting held on 27 January 2014, adopted the following decision on the situation in Madagascar:

Council,

1. Takes note of the briefing made by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, as well as of the statement made by the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC);

2. Recalls its previous communiqués and press statements on the situation in Madagascar, in particular PSC/ PR/COMM.(CLXXXI) communiqué, adopted at its 181st meeting held on 20 March 2009, PSC/PR/COMM.1(CCXVI) and PSC/PR/COMM.1(CCXXI) communiqués, adopted at its 216th and 221st meetings held on 19 February and 17 March 2010, respectively, PSC/PR/COM.1(CCCIII) communiqué, adopted at its 303rd meeting held on 8 December 2011, and PSC/MIN/Comm.(CCCLXVIII) communiqué, adopted at its 368th meeting held in Dar-es-Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, on 22 April 2013;

3. Reiterates its appreciation to the SADC and the AU for their sustained support to the resolution of the crisis and for the close coordination between the two organizations throughout the crisis exit process. Council, in particular, pays tribute to the SADC Mediator in the Malagasy crisis, former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozamique, as well as to Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, former AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, for their commitment and active engagement, which contributed significantly to the progress achieved. Council also reiterates its appreciation to the international partners, particularly the members of the International Contact Group on Madagascar (ICG-M), for their support to the efforts of the AU and the SADC;

4. Welcomes the positive developments in Madagascar, particularly the holding, on 25 October and 20 December 2013, of the 1st and 2nd rounds of the presidential election, as well as the holding of the legislative elections, concurrently with the second round of the presidential election;

5. Acknowledges that the electoral process has been recognized as being inclusive, credible and legitimate by the different observation missions, particularly those of the AU and the SADC. Council, in this regard, expresses its appreciation to the Malagasy people, as well as to all political actors and institutions of the country, for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the elections and the completion of the transition process;

6. Takes note of the proclamation, on 17 January 2014, by the Special Electoral Court (CES) of Madagascar, of the final results of the second round of the presidential election, congratulates Mr. Hery Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana, for his election as the new President of the Republic of Madagascar, and notes his swearing-in on 25 January 2014;

7. Decides, in view of the completion of the transition process and the restoration of constitutional order, and in accordance with the relevant AU instruments, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and paragraph 8 of its communiqué PSC/MIN/Comm.(CCCLXVIII), to lift the suspension of Madagascar’s participation in the activities of the AU. Council further decides to lift all other measures that had been taken to ensure that the Malagasy stakeholders work towards the restoration of constitutional order, and invites Madagascar to immediately resume its participation in the activities of the AU;

8. Urges the new President of the Republic of Madagascar and the other Malagasy stakeholders to work towards the promotion of national reconciliation, good governance and respect for human rights, in order to consolidate the important gains achieved;

9. Expresses the commitment of the AU and the SADC to continue to support the new Malagasy authorities and the other concerned stakeholders in the country in their efforts, including those relating to socio-economic recovery;

10. Calls on the international community to provide necessary support to Madagascar, with a view to consolidating the remarkable gains made by the country;

11. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.