COMMUNIQUÉ

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1305^th meeting (Emergency Session) held on 13 October 2025 on the Situation in the Republic of Madagascar.

The Peace and Security Council,

 Reaffirming the Solemn Declaration of the 50^th  OAU/AU Anniversary adopted in Addis Ababa on 25 May 2013 and the determination to silence the guns in Africa by the year 2030 and creating conducive conditions for the realization of the AU Vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its people and representing a dynamic force in the global arena, as well as AU Agenda 2063;

Reiterating the AU zero tolerance of unconstitutional changes of government, in line with Article 4(p) of the AU Constitutive Act;

Also recalling the Declaration on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government, adopted by the 16^th Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from 27 to 28 May 2022; the Declaration on the Framework for an OAU Response to Unconstitutional Changes of Government, adopted by the 36^th Ordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Lomé, Togo, from 10 to 12 July 2000 (the Lomé Declaration);

Acknowledging the Press Releases of H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission issued on 26 September 2025 and 12 October 2025, and the statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic of Madagascar, as well as the Statement issued on 27 September 2025 by the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on the situation in the Republic of Madagascar;

Taking note of the Opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Tebelelo Alfred Boang, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Botswana to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for October 2025; the briefing by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission; the statement by the representative of the Republic of Madagascar, as well as the statements by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security and the AU Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson in Madagascar.

 

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council: 

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council: 

1. Expresses deep concern over the unfolding developments in the Republic of Madagascar, particularly the violent protests which have resulted in the destruction of property and reported loss of lives;

2. Totally rejects any attempt at unconstitutional changes of government in the country;

3. Strongly calls upon the protesters to use available legal channels to address any legitimate grievances;

4. Strongly condemns all forms of violence and destruction of property; urges all Malagasy stakeholders, both civilian and military, to exercise calm and restraint, and to prioritize peaceful and consensual solutions while placing the supreme interests of their country above any parochial considerations;

5. Urges all units of the Madagascar Armed Forces to uphold their constitutional mandate, and to refrain from meddling in the political affairs of the country;

6. Emphasizes the need for the Government of Madagascar to holistically address the structural root causes of the multidimensional challenges facing the country, using a “whole of government- whole of society” approach that brings on board all critical Malagasy stakeholders, including women and the youth; and calls for the full respect of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens;

7. Welcomes the Government’s renewed commitment to dialogue and encourages the Government of Madagascar to urgently organize an all-inclusive political dialogue as the only viable path towards consensual and sustainable solutions to the socio-economic and political challenges currently facing the country; in this regard, calls for the reactivation of the implementation of the 2011 Roadmap for Ending the Crisis in Madagascar, enacted into Malagasy law under Act Number 2011-014 of 13 December 2011;

8. Urges for coordinated support towards restoration of peace and stability in Madagascar under the auspices of the AU and SADC; in this regard, reconfirms the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Madagascar and strongly calls for non-interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Madagascar;

9. Recommends to the Chairperson of the Union, with the support of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, to immediately dispatch a high-level delegation to Madagascar to engage with the stakeholders concerned with a view to address the challenges in the country;

10. Requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission to urgently appoint a special envoy on Madagascar, to work closely with the Panel of the Wise, and to strengthen the mandate of the AU Liaison Office in Madagascar, with the view to reinforcing facilitation, mediation and stabilization efforts in the country, in close collaboration with SADC and the Indian Ocean Commission; also requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission to establish a follow-up mechanism to support the reconciliation and dialogue process in Madagascar;

11. Reaffirms the commitment of the AU to further enhance the coordination and collaboration with SADC in addressing the unfolding situation in Madagascar;

12. Stresses the need to ensure the protection of women and children in the country;

13. Underscores the importance of closely monitoring the evolution of the situation and in this respect, requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission to provide regular updated briefings to Council on the evolution of the situation;

14. Encourages AU Member states to take into consideration the needs and aspirations of the youth in order to address their concerns;

15. Urges the Government of the Republic of Madagascar to cooperate with the African Union toward the implementation of the present decision; and

16. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS