The United States has called on the leaders of the "unconstitutional governments" of Madagascar and Guinea to step down and hold elections.
The call was made at the current session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is sitting in Geneva. The U.S. rejoined the council this year when the administration of President Barack Obama reversed the policy of his predecessor, President George W. Bush, to boycott the council.
Speaking on Tuesday, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires at the council, Douglas Griffiths, said the administration could not remain indifferent "when constitutional and democratic systems are undermined or overthrown outright." He also called on the governments of Madagascar and Guinea to ensure that civil liberties were protected during their transitions to democracy.
His intervention came days after the African Union (AU) threatened to impose sanctions on both governments.
In Madagascar, there is a stalemate in talks to resolve the crisis which was triggered when the current leader, Andry Rajoelina, forced from power the elected president, Marc Ravalomanana, in March.
Relevant Links
The AU declared Rajoelina's seizure of power unconstitutional, and all-party talks convened under an AU mediator reached an agreement in August to set up a transitional government and arrange new elections. But the parties have failed to agree on who will serve in a transitional government.
The AU last week decided to reconvene on October 6 an international contact group dealing with the crisis. It warned Rajoelina of previous decisions to impose sanctions if constitutional order was not restored within six months. This six-month deadline had expired on September 16, the AU said.
Guinea's leader, Captain Dadis Moussa Camara, faces African sanctions after seizing power in a coup last December, then reneging on a commitment not to stand in forthcoming presidential elections.
The AU's Peace and Security Council last week insisted that Camara and his National Council for Development and Democracy (CNDD) remain neutral and not take part in the elections. The council said it would impose sanctions if they did not formally make such a commitment within a month.
Comments 1 to 5 of 10 Post a comment
This post was deleted because it contravenes AllAfrica's commenting guidelines.
Do these calls for dictators to step down from power actually mean anything? Who cares?
The United States has not rights to tell any nations how to run their affairs. Not body tells the U.S. government or its citizens to do anything. Wasn't it the same US who armed Conte to fight Liberia's Taylor? Was not the same US who destablized the Liberia by bringing Doe to power? Is it not the same US who has destroyed Irag and today everything is up-side-down? Before the US stretches its tongue across the world it needs to set its own house in order. The US preaches equaility and justice but in reality, they don't exist. America needs to keeps its mouth to herself and let world governs itself as it sees fits!!! The US has cause too much problems for the developing world and enough is enough!!!
I should start by saying that I am not that big fan of the U.S.A but the fact has to be said even if it comes from the devil. Years ago it was predicted in Senegal by regional expats that the next country to sink is Guinea. Do I need to be a genius to believe that?No, it is simple Lansana Conteh did the ground work for the turmoil that now prevails in Guinea. Do not blame the U.S, blame yourself, even if Obama is to die today there will be mourning but not riots or one of the generals taking power. What is happening in Guinea is a shame on every Africa even those yet unborn. I am not Guinean but I am telling Camara and his cohorts to step down with immediate effect. Sierra Leone and Liberia have not even recovered from their recent "wahalas"let alone relapsing into one again. The citizens but rise to this situation tell the military that the ball game is over like Sierra Leoneans did to Johnny Paul Koroma. It is done at a cost but Freedom goes with a price. Lonta DeltaShero
The United States has no rights to tell any nations how to run their affairs. No body tells the U.S. government or its citizens what to do. Wasn't it the same US who armed Conte to fight Liberia's Taylor? Was not the same US who destablized the Liberia by bringing Doe to power? Is it not the same US who has destroyed Irag and today everything is up-side-down? Before the US stretches its tongue across the world, it needs to set its own house in order. The US preaches equaility and justice but in reality, they don't exist. America needs to keeps its mouth to herself and let world governs itself as it sees fits!!! The US has cause too much problems for the developing world and enough is enough!!!
See All Comments