OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE, MARC RAVALOMANANA

HIS EXCELLENCY, MARC RAVALOMANANA
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR

Pretoria, Saturday 25th April 2009

I want to express my deepest sympathy to the victims in Madagascar who have suffered at the hands of the HAT’s violent and repressive crackdown against the people over the past week. To the victims and families of those affected by this week’s violence, I am moved by your pain and suffering. I hear your cries for peace, democracy and the re-establishment of rule of law. There is no place in any society for what is happening today in Madagascar.

In the past week dozens of innocent civilians have been killed by a small number of violent CAPSAT soldiers in Antananarivo. An almost equal number have been injured with many suffering from gunshot wounds.

There were confirmed reports of soldiers preventing families of the victims from entering the main hospital in Antananarivo and this is an egregious violation of basic human rights. A number of lawmakers from the democratically elected government, including the well respected Senator Rabenatoandro Lanto, have been rounded up and arrested.

They remain in prison. Again, it is against rule of law and democratic principles to arrest politicians for no reason other than political differences.

I condemn these acts of violence directed at our peaceful civilian population by a small group of armed rebels. I call on the military, gendarmerie, and police to protect the people and maintain peace. The violence and threats inflicted by a few hundred mutinous military thugs needs to be stopped. I support the international effort led by SADC and the AU to help restore peace and constitutional normalcy without delay.

Quick and decisive action from the international community is required if we are to prevent further loss of innocent life. We cannot let the HAT continue to perpetuate lies at the expense of the people.

The HAT’s repressive actions have to be stopped.

I appeal to all stakeholders in Madagascar to continue to peacefully stand against this violence and repression. The will of the people cannot be denied. National solidarity is very important at this time. I encourage the people of Madagascar to let their voice be heard in the name of democracy. As part of my responsibility as the President of the Republic of Madagascar, I plan on working with all lawful parties interested in a peaceful outcome to achieve immediate restoration of a constitutional government when I return.

His Excellency, Marc Ravalomanana
President of the Republic of Madagascar