The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
27 October 2008
President Jakaya Kikwete has urged Mauritius to urgently return to democratic rule if it needed to be recognised by other African governments.
He was speaking to a Mauritanian delegation that had paid him a visit at State House in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
The delegation was led by foreign affairs minister Dr Mohamad Ould Mahmound Mohamad, and had sought advice from the President on the political crisis in Mauritius.
The Mauritian army toppled a democratically elected government on August 6, this year, and has since then been isolated by other African governments.
According to the 2000 African Union (AU) Constitution, a country ceases to be a member of the group if a democratically elected government is removed illegally.
President Kikwete who is also the AU chairman told the delegation that included four members of parliament that Mauritius should expect support only after returning to legitimate rule.
"If your constitution says the President will be elected by people in the ballot box, then I don't know how you will convince the African continent,"said President Kikwete.
"My advice is respect the Constitution first by returning to democratic rule and then speed up elections to allow people their rights," he said.
President Kikwete said it was becoming a norm for the army in the West African country to illegally remove legitimate governments since this was the second time.
He told the delegation that no African government would recognise the Mauritian authorities if they chose to maintain the status quo.
"As the AU chairman, don't expect my support since it will be against the AU constitution," he said.
"If your country is facing political and economic problems there must be democratic ways within your constitution to deal with that."
He said it was time to be tough with the increasing habit by some African armies to topple legitimate governments.
Meanwhile, President Kikwete is expected to continue with his tour of Tabora region after returning from South Africa where he opened the African Parliament.
The President started the eight-day tour last week, but was forced to suspend some visits to attend the opening ceremony, which traditionally is presided over by the AU chairman.
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It's Mauritana, not Mauritius. And it's Mauritanian, not Mauritian.
it's MAURITANIA not Mauritius!how come r u still making this kind of ridiculous mistakes at least u should know what u are talking about next time check out the dictionnary bfore writting articles.
Are you talking about Mauritius or Mauritania ...? I think you got it wrong