Johannesburg, 21 June 2009
I welcome the Southern African Development Community's decision to intensify and expedite its efforts to restore constitutional order and democratic rule in Madagascar.
The Malagasy people must remain foremost in our thoughts as they suffer terribly at the hands of an illegal coup regime.
The situation in Madagascar worsens each day.
Therefore, Malagasy parties and the international community must move forward with utmost urgency and determination to do what is right for the Malagasy people.
As Madagascar's democratically elected president, I will do my part, working with the new SADC Special Envoy, former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano, and others to hasten the return of law, human rights, and democratic rule in the Madagascar.
Marc RAVALOMANANA
President of the Republic of Madagascar