SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR DIALOGUE IN MADAGASCAR AS TENSIONS SPIRAL

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR DIALOGUE IN MADAGASCAR AS TENSIONS SPIRAL
New York, Mar 12 2009 4:00PM

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for dialogue between the parties to a high-level dispute in Madagascar, as tensions continued to escalate and concern rose over divisions in the armed forces.

President Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina, the mayor of the capital, Anatananarivo, declared last month that they are committed to starting a UN-facilitated dialogue to resolve their differences.

Nearly 100 people were killed and many more injured since January in violence that erupted amid their dispute.

Through a statement issued by his spokesperson today, Mr. Ban reiterated that "the only solution to the current crisis is the resumption of dialogue and calls on both parties to fulfil their commitment to resolve their differences within the framework of an inclusive National Conference."

Noting the concern over divisions within the armed forces, he welcomed the military's decision to continue to respect Constitutional order, according to the statement.

"UN Senior Adviser, Mr. Tiébilé Dramé, remains engaged to help facilitate the talks and provide full UN support to the much needed national reconciliation process," the statement affirmed.

Assistant Secretary-General Haile Menkerios, who has also been dispatched to the Indian Ocean island nation twice, has said that the first instalment of negotiations entailed the President and the Mayor's camps reaching agreement on how to stabilize the situation.

The next phase – drawing in an expanded group including representatives of other political parties, civil society, youth, women and others – would be geared towards tackling root causes, including "problems of governance on a wider scale – political, economic and social."
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SECRETARY-GENERAL DISPATCHES SENIOR UN POLITICAL AIDE TO MADAGASCAR

SECRETARY-GENERAL DISPATCHES SENIOR UN POLITICAL AIDE TO MADAGASCAR
New York, Feb 26 2009 5:00PM

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has dispatched a senior United Nations political aide to Madagascar, following a request from the Government for a more active role by the world body in dealing with the political tensions in the Indian Ocean island nation.

Assistant Secretary-General Haile Menkerios, who had been sent to Madagascar in early February to assess the situation, was travelling with Mr. Ban in Africa when he was asked to return to the country to continue the UN's good offices work there.

President Marc Ravalomanana and the Mayor of the capital, Anatananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, declared earlier this month that they are committed to start a United Nations-facilitated dialogue and to resolve their differences peacefully. Close to 100 people were killed and many more injured in violence that erupted several weeks ago amid their dispute.

Upon his arrival in Madagascar today, Mr. Menkerios met with Mr. Ravalomanana. He was also expected to meet with Mr. Rajoelina.

Last night, the Secretary-General met at the airport in Johannesburg with two government ministers from Madagascar, who asked for a more active UN role in dealing with the parties in the country.

Mr. Ban assured them that a mediator has been appointed who would arrive in Madagascar shortly, in addition to Mr. Menkerios.
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