European Parliament (Strasbourg)
17 May 2002
document
Strasbourg — Following is a text of the resolution passed on May 16, 2002 by the European Parliament on the situation in Madagascar
The European Parliament, having regard to the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement signed in Cotonou, Benin, on 23 June 2000,
- having regard to the New African Initiative signed in Lusaka, Zambia, during the OAU Summit in July 2001,
- having regard to its resolution of 7 February 2002 on the elections in Madagascar,
- having regard to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly's resolution of 22 March 2002 on the elections in Madagascar,
- having regard to the recent EU Presidency statements concerning Madagascar, issued on 27 February (6567/1/02), 17 April (8052/1/02), 22 April (8223/02) and 8 May 2002 (8769/02),
- having regard to the statement made on 28 January 2002 by the President of the United Nations Security Council on the elections in Madagascar (SC/7281),
- having regard to the statement made on 19 April 2002 by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on Madagascar (SG/SM/8202),
- having regard to the agreement signed in Dakar (Senegal) by the two Madagascar presidential candidates on 18 April 2002,
A. whereas the objectives and principles of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement between the 15 EU Member States and the 77 nations from across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) include inter alia 'contributing to peace and security and promoting a stable and democratic political environment'(Article 1),
B. whereas the EU Presidency 'is convinced that the Dakar agreement remains the appropriate framework for the achievement of a solution' to the growing crisis in Madagascar,
C. whereas tensions in Madagascar are rising, with the capital Antananarivo blockaded after the destruction of six bridges, four of the six Provincial Governors backing the outgoing President Didier Ratsiraka, over 60 people killed in political violence, reports of many further deaths due to the shortage of medicines, and Madagascar's economy crippled with over thirty textile factories closed and 65000 workers laid off,
D. deeply concerned at the deterioration in the situation in Madagascar despite the agreement signed in Dakar on 18 April between Mr Ratsiraka and Mr Ravalomanana under the aegis of the OAU and the UN,
E. whereas this agreement meets its stated objectives: endeavouring to bring about civil peace, respect for democratic principles and a political solution to the crisis,
F. whereas the two protagonists have failed to respect the Dakar agreement,
G. whereas governors from four of Madagascar's six provinces support Mr Ratsiraka and have threatened to declare independence,
H. having regard to the serious risk of the country being partitioned, which is jeopardising national unity,
I. having regard to the economic and humanitarian disaster which is being caused by the present situation,
J. whereas the convening of two rival National Assemblies, comprising an equivalent number of parliamentarians, is further contributing to splitting the country in two,
K. whereas the Dakar agreement provides for a vote count involving both parties,
L. whereas, under the ACP-EU Cotonou Partnership Agreement, the European Commission and Council can start moves under Article 8 to 'engage in a comprehensive, balanced and deep political dialogue leading to commitments on both sides', and encourage the United Nations Security Council to focus on the growing plight of Madagascar,
M. whereas only a political agreement between the parties can bring the crisis to an end,
1. Welcomes the efforts by the African Union and supports Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade's efforts to prevent Madagascar dividing into two, and calls on both Didier Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana to put the interests of Madagascar's 16 million people first by returning to the negotiating table;
2. Condemns all acts of political violence and sabotage in Madagascar, and asks for the immediate lifting of all roadblocks so that emergency relief can reach those in need;
3. Urges both parties to implement the Dakar agreement of 18 April in full, with due respect for existing Madagascan constitutional law, and remains convinced that only an agreement between the parties, and national reconciliation, will make it possible to resolve the present crisis and preserve the integrity and unity of the country;
4. Calls on the EU to offer political and technical support for the implementation of the agreement and to assist in organising any elections;
5. Calls on the European Union and the United Nations to work with the African Union to bring about a swift solution to the crisis facing Madagascar, and for the Commission to prepare immediate humanitarian aid supplies and assistance with reconstruction, as the plight of the population in the capital Antananarivo worsens;
6. Warns that the rising numbers of deaths, climate of unrest and increased political tensions are not conducive to 'a stable and democratic political environment', appeals to the supporters of both candidates to refrain from violence, and notes that the situation in Madagascar is already having an economic impact on other southern African economies such as Mauritius;
7. Calls for a return to conditions conducive to an immediate resumption of economic and social activities and confirms its willingness to continue implementing its assistance and cooperation programmes on the island;
8. Calls on the European Commission, the Council and the Member States to ensure that the Dakar Agreement is respected, and to start the process of political dialogue under Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement to prevent the partition of Madagascar;
9. Urges the EU Spanish Presidency to send an official Troika to hold talks with all sides and with Madagascar's southern African neighbours, and for EU Member States to highlight the plight of Madagascar in the United Nations Security Council;
10. Calls on all states to refrain from recognising the partitioning of the country and any government which fails to respect the Dakar agreement;
11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Madagascan parliament, the European Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the EU Member States and applicant countries, the Secretaries-General of the United Nations, the African Union and the OECD, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Economic and Social Committee, the European Investment Bank, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and the Director-General of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Food Programme (WFP).
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