OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR

Johannesburg, 21 June 2009

I welcome the Southern African Development Community's decision tointensify and expedite its efforts to restore constitutional order anddemocratic rule in Madagascar. The Malagasy people must remain foremost in our thoughts as they sufferterribly at the hands of an illegal coup regime.The situation in Madagascar worsens each day.

Therefore, Malagasy parties and the international community must moveforward with utmost urgency and determination to do what is right for theMalagasy people.As Madagascar's democratically elected president, I will do my part,working with the new SADC Special Envoy, former Mozambique PresidentJoaquim 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