Addis Ababa, 16 January 2013: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, welcomes the statement made by the President of the Transition in Madagascar, Mr Andry Rajoelina Nirina, confirming his decision of 12 May 2010 not to stand as a candidate for the next presidential election, scheduled to be held on 8 May 2013.

This statement, which comes after the one made by former President Marc Ravalomanana, on 10 December 2012, regarding his decision not to stand in the next presidential elections, constitutes an important step towards the creation of a conducive political environment necessary for the successful implementation of the different aspects of the Roadmap for a way out of the crisis in Madagascar. The Chairperson of the Commission encourages all stakeholders to work towards the early resolution of the outstanding issues in the implementation of the Roadmap and the acceleration of preparations for the holding of peaceful and credible elections in the country.

 The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates AU’s support for the final electoral calendar that was jointly agreed to, on 1 August 2012, by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the Transition (INECT) and the United Nations, in the presence of other representatives of the international community, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the AU, the European Union (EU), the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).

 The Commission will continue to work closely with SADC and international partners for the resolution of the crisis in Madagascar and the restoration of constitutional order. In this context, the AU envisages to convene, as soon as possible, meetings of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the International Contact Group on Madagascar (ICG-M), to reassess the situation on the basis of progress made in the implementation of the Roadmap, and take appropriate decisions.

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