MADAGASCAR PRESIDENT MARC RAVALOMANANA GAINS FULL ENDORSEMENT OF SUPPORT FROM COMESA FOR RETURN TO HIS COUNTRY

Pretoria, 10 June 2009

Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana welcomed the full endorsement of support he received from COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and SouthernAfrica) following a two-day summit. The official statement that was issuedby COMESA "welcomes and agrees, as declared by the African Union, to support SADC's efforts to restore constitutional order in Madagascar considering all options including the possibility of military intervention".

President Ravalomanana, whose government was overthrown in military-backed coup d'état in March, has garnered decisive support from SADC (SouthernAfrican Development Community) and the AU (African Union) since his forced departure from Madagascar. The recent COMESA endorsement adds furtherweight to his diplomatic campaign.

Since the coup d'état, the international community has universally condemned the unconstitutional power grab, and refused to recognize the illegitimate regime, a point echoed in the statement issued by COMESA. Still, President Ravalomanana believes that diplomatic channels requirefull examination prior to military intervention. "I believe that dialogue and diplomacy are avenues that need to be fully exhausted first and foremost. However, we must not lose sight of the rapid deterioration of the current situation in Madagascar today under the illegal regime. Many Malagasy people suffer."

The architects of the coup d'état have destroyed the once-bright prospects for Madagascar, as the country has been suspended from both the AU andSADC, and is not recognized internationally by any country. The security situation on the ground remains very unstable. Food prices havesky rocketed. The tourism industry has collapsed. Foreign investors have been scared off. The rapid deterioration that started when the illegal regime took power has reversed the track record of development during President Ravalomanana's term in office.

During President Ravalomanana's term, domestic rice production doubled infive years, primary education entry rates increased from 63% to 92%, andmore than 10 000 km of roads were constructed in 2008 alone, with many more accomplishments in healthcare and governance. Despite the globaleconomic crisis, Madagascar was able to achieve +7.1% GDP growth lastyear, after averaging close to +7% growth for each of the past four years."These gains are rapidly being lost, and put the Malagasy people at considerable risk", said President Ravalomanana.

"I would again like to thank SADC, the AU and COMESA for their strong statements of support for democracy, rule of law and the Malagasy people.The leadership and support that our partners in the region have shownshould serve as a strong message that this illegality will not betolerated." President Ravalomanana went on to say, "I welcome the growing support and resources being offered by the international community for a return to democracy and rule of law. There is no question that I will begoing back to my country soon.

And once there, I pledge to the Malagasy people, and to our partners in the international community, that I will work tirelessly to restore order, stability and prosperity to Madagascar for the benefit of the Malagasy people and our neighbors."