92002E2233

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2233/02

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(23 July 2002)

Subject: Political crisis in Madagascar

Following the general election of 16 December 2001 and the final ruling of the High Constitutional Court on 29 April 2002, Marc Ravalomanana has been elected President of Madagascar.

However, in spite of the Dakar Agreement, signed on 18 April 2002 by the new president, Mr Ravalomanana, and the outgoing president, Didier Ratsiraka, which provided for the formation of a transitional government of reconciliation until the recount of the votes cast on 16 December 2001, Mr Ratsiraka is refusing to recognise the court ruling.

The outgoing president has taken refuge in the north of the country, his traditional stronghold, and is ready to put up armed resistance to a likely attack by the government forces of President Ravalomanana, which have decided to put an end to Mr Ratsiraka's occupation of the northern part of the island.

In the event of a war, the chief victims would inevitably be defenceless civilians.

Can the Commission therefore say whether and how the European Union could take action to help peacefully resolve the political and military crisis in Madagascar, thereby preventing a civil war of unimaginable consequences?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(26 August 2002)

The Commission wishes to remind the recent positive outcome of the crisis in Madagascar, which ended with Mr Marc Ravalomanana launching a reconciliation process in the country and announcing early legislative elections, and the international community recognising him as President of Madagascar.

The Commission welcomes the solution of the crisis and hopes that the reconciliation process will lead to peace and stability for the people of Madagascar.

The Commission deplores the dramatic impact of the past political crisis on the population. The Commission has, during the seven months long crisis, been committed to a solution that is respectful of civilian peace and of the interests of the people of Madagascar. To this end, the Commission has supported all the mediation efforts to encourage national conciliation.

Furthermore, during this period, the Commission has taken several measures to alleviate the effects of the protracted crisis on the population, such as the rehabilitation of roads and the re-establishment of free movement of goods and persons, ensuring the supply of food and medicine.

The Commission is prepared to offer political and technical support for national reconciliation and for a lasting solution to the crisis, and is ready, in co-ordination with other donors, to contribute to Madagascar's efforts to restore the economic and social situation of the country.