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Security Council members voice concern over current unrest in Madagascar

Security Council members voice concern over current unrest in Madagascar

Members of the Security Council today expressed concern over the current unrest in Madagascar and the potential for undermining peace and stability in the country and the region.

Following a closed-door briefing by a senior UN official, the current President of the 15-member body, Ambassador Jagdish Koonjul of Mauritius, said in a press statement that the Council had taken note of the results proclaimed by the High Constitutional Court of Madagascar and the ensuing decision to call for a second-ballot runoff between President Didier Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana, Mayor of Antananarivo.

"The Security Council called on both candidates to comply with all constitutional, electoral and legal requirements and requested that the elections be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner, in the presence of international observers," Ambassador Koonjul said.

The Council members also called on the supporters of both candidates to refrain from violence and appealed to the Malagasy people "to remain calm and to respect the results of the next round of elections," Ambassador Koonjul said.