International reactions
* Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon said that Madagascar’s recent political actions are illegal and « anti-democratic ».[129] Canada supports a peaceful and democratic resolution with help from the international community.[129]
* Czech Republic’s Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg called the removal of Ravalomanana a « coup d’etat ».[130]
* France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy urged Madagascar to hold elections « as soon as possible » to end the « coup d’etat ».[131] Sarkozy criticized the decision to dismiss Madagascar’s parliament.[131] Asserting that Ravalomanana should be kept safe, Sarkozy offered that « if he needs to be put on trial, he should be. »[131]
* Germany condemned the violent transfer of power, urging democracy to return immediately.[132] Germany said that street protests are not a democratic method of changing the government.[133]
* Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing « concern » that the governmental transition is « inconsistent with the ordinary constitutional procedures amid the political turmoil that has involved civilians ».[134] Japan « strongly expects » that democracy and constitutional order returns « at the earliest opportunity ».[134] Japan also urges that peace and the safety of civilians be upheld.[134]
* Libya’s president Muammar al-Gaddafi telephoned Rajoelina immediately after Rajoelina took power to say that Libya would recognize Rajoelina’s government.[135]
* Mexico’s ambassador to the United Nations, Claude Heller, said that it was « very clear that there was an unconstitutional coup » and said that elections were the only way to move Madagascar forward.[136]
* Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe said that Nigeria urges « a restoration of constitutional order », calling the opposition forces « illegal and unconstitutional » and their actions « unacceptable ».[137]
* Norway’s Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim said that « there is an urgent need for a democratic solution to the current situation in Madagascar. The country is moving towards an economic disaster. I am deeply concerned about the people of the country ».[138]
* Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia is « concerned by the increased frequency of attempts on the African continent to resort to non-constitutional methods of solving internal political problems. » He went on to say that, in addition to increasing economic and social problems, the use of force is of concern and runs counter to democratic principles, whilst affirming Russia’s support of the African Union’s position.[137][139]
* South African Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said that South Africa would support « pressure », possibly including sanctions, and the « non-recognition » of Rajoelina’s government by the Southern African Development Community.[77]
* Swaziland’s King Mswati said that Rajoelina’s rise to power was unconstitutional and « violates basic principles, protocols and treaties ».[140]
* United Kingdom The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office Minister Mark Malloch Brown said he « condemn[s] unreservedly the unconstitutional, undemocratic and apparently coerced transfer of power from President Ravalomanana to Andry Rajoelina. These events are tantamount to a coup d’état. »[141] He urges a peaceful, constitutional, and democratic resolution.[141]
* United States State Department spokesman Robert Wood said « The United States is deeply concerned by the recent political violence in Madagascar ».[142] He advised the Malagasy people to use restraint and sort out differences by process of dialogue.[142] Wood later confirmed that the State Department believes that « recent political developments in Madagascar constitute an undemocratic transfer of power ».[143] On 20 March, Wood said that the United States « condemns the process » of Ravalomanana’s removal and Rajoelina’s takeover, calling it « undemocratic and contrary to the rule of law ».[144] United States Ambassador to Madagascar R. Niels Marquardt described a « climate of insecurity » in Madagascar.[145] Marquardt said that Madagascar would be likely be deemed ineligible for the trade preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act if it did not hold elections by the end of 2009.[145]
* Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande called Andry Rajoelina’s coming to power in Madagascar « a setback and danger to the entrenchment of democracy and constitutional rule on the continent which should not be allowed to take root.[146] » Zambia has also led the call for economic sanctions against Madagascar and suspension of the country from the SADC and AU.
* The African Union issued a statement regarding the events of 16 March, stating « The situation in Madagascar is an internal conflict. It is an attempted coup d’etat. We condemn the attempted coup d’etat. We ask the people of Madagascar to do everything consistent with their constitution. »[147] Madagascar’s membership in the African Union was later suspended.[148] The African Union threatened to expel Madagascar from the organization, and warned of the possibility of sanctions.
* European Union The European Commission issued a statement that it was « seriously concerned about the situation of instability and uncertainty currently prevailing in Madagascar. The European Commission calls on all parties in Madagascar to ensure calm and invites them to participate immediately in a broader dialogue. »[149]
* Inter-Parliamentary Union President Theo-Ben Gurirab said he strongly condemns the « coup d’etat » in Madagascar,[150] saying that any unconstitutional action overthrowing a government is fundamentally flawed and completely unacceptable.[151] The Inter-Parliamentary Union suspended the membership of the parliament of Madagascar.[150][152]
* Southern African Development Community The South African Development Community refused to recognize Rajoelina’s presidency because « his appointment does not only violate the constitution of Madagascar, but also international principles, like the SADC, AU and United Nations protocols. »[153] The SADC « strongly condemns in the strongest terms the circumstances that led to the ousting of a democratically elected president of Madagascar. »[153] The SADC says that elections should be held within six months, rather than twenty-four months as proposed by Rajoelina.[154] The SADC suspended Madagascar’s membership until it restores constitutional order, and it urged Rajoelina to step down so that Ravalomanana could be reinstated as president.[155] If Rajoelina does not comply with its decisions, the « SADC shall in collaboration with the African Union and the United Nations consider other options to restore constitutional normalcy. »[155] On 1 April, Madagascar withdrew its membership in the SADC.[156] A delegation from the SADC visited Madagascar on 20 April, and another delegation visited on 23 April.[157]
* United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon called on the Malagasy Government to give absolute priority to protection of the general population. He expressed concern about « the serious unrest » and the deaths.[158] Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios said that the United Nations urges « quick and inclusive elections » to return to a constitutional government in a process decided upon by the current and former governments.[136]
[edit] Sanctions and suspensions of aid
Since 16 March, Norway has instituted sanctions, mostly consisting of a freeze of economic aid, primarily due to the unstable atmosphere in the country prior to the resignation of Ravalomanana, and it has retained such sanctions for the time being.[159]
On 20 March, U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood said the United States will suspend all non-humanitarian assistance to Madagascar.[144]
The African Union suspended Madagascar’s membership in the organization. The Peace and Security Council of the African Union announced that it would impose sanctions on the Madagascar government if an « unconstitutional » transfer of power were to take place, including total expulsion from the African Union.[160] The African Union can enact sanctions if Madagascar does not restore constitutional order within six months.[161]
The African Union’s stance was corroborated by Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, who stated that the European Union may impose sanctions on Madagascar and not recognize the transfer of power,[162] and the United States Department of State, which indicated a similar response to any « extra-constitutional » regime change.[163] The Southern African Development Community will meet in late March to consider sanctions.[164]
On 31 March, the European Union said it had not suspended its aid to Madagascar, which will continue for the next three years as previously agreed, but it also had no plans for new aid.[165]
US President Barack Obama decided to remove Madagascar from the beneficiary of the AGOA African Growth and Opportunity Act. On December 23 of the year 2009, President Obama officialy also terminated the program for Guinea and Niger along with Madagascar all for undemocratic change of power [166]. The AGOA program has helped created ten of thousands of jobs for middle class Malagasy especially in apparel manufacturing factories, it is feared that most of these jobs will be lost in the near future. Considering the important number of business affected by this decision, the economy of the capital city Antananarivo and Antsirabe will be deeply affected fearing further social tension.
[edit] Government response
Most of the government response has been channeled through opposition prime minister Monja Roindefo, who denied that the events leading to Rajoelina’s gaining of the presidency was a coup, but rather a « direct expression of democracy, when representative democracy does not express itself through the institutions »,[161] and called on the European Union to reconsider its reaction to the events. Rajoelina dismissed the condemnations, stating that « if they haven’t understood the process, they may well react. But if they stick to their line after we have spoken, it will be annoying ».[167]
Rajoelina has promised that the high cost of living would decrease because merchants had agreed to decrease the price of bread and cooking oil as of 30 March, and the cost of rice soon thereafter.[89]
In response to the Southern African Development Community’s view that Rajoelina’s rise to power was unconstitutional and its urging for elections within six months, Rajoelina said that membership in the SADC is « not in the interests of Madagascar ».[154] He said he would confer with others to decide whether Madagascar would continue to be a member of the SADC.[154] « The prospect of an SADC intervention is unacceptable. Other states cannot interfere with the decision of (Madagascar’s) High Constitutional Court » that the transfer of power to Rajoelina was constitutional.[154]
