Results of vote in Parliament

Debate in Parliament

Following the debate which took place on 9 February 2010, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in Madagascar.

The resolution was tabled by the Greens/ALE, ALDE, S&D, EPP, GUE/NGL and ECR groups.

Parliament refers to the fact that on 18 December 2009 the military-backed leader of Madagascar, Mr Andry Rajoelina, withdrew from power-sharing negotiations with the political groupings in Madgascar, and named former military officer Colonel Albert Camille Vital as Prime Minister. Members reiterate their strong condemnation of the process by which Mr Rajoelina seized power, in flagrant violation of the provisions of the Madagascan Constitution, which constitutes an outright coup d'état . They also strongly condemn the decision by Mr Rajoelina to cancel the appointment of Eugene Mangalaza as Prime Minister, installed after a power-sharing deal between all political parties in October 2009, and Mr Rajoelina’s decision to boycott the third round of negotiations in Maputo in December and to withdraw from power-sharing talks. Parliament believes that the Maputo Accords of 8 and 9 August 2009 and the Addis Ababa Additional Act of 6 November 2009 , signed by the four leaders of the political groupings in Madagascar, constitute the only possible framework for a solution to the political crisis and wants the latter to be implemented, which should lead to the restoration of constitutional government.

Members refer to the widespread human rights violations, and condemn the systematic repression of the opposition, censorship of the media, the intimidation and systematic arrest of journalists, arrests and torture of civilians and politicians, and the detention of many persons without charge and at unknown locations. They express deep concern about the disappearance of several hundred people, including around 100 children and adolescents, and call for an independent international investigation of all political killings in Madagascar, all human rights violations and all acts of repression committed by the security forces and the army.

Parliament notes that on 6 July 2009, the EU initiated a consultation process with Madagascar pursuant to Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement , thus launching a dialogue intended to find appropriate solutions to the country's political problems. It calls on the Commission to report to the European Parliament on the development of the consultation process which is under way with Madagascar pursuant to Article 96.

The resolution states that it disapproves of any attempt by Mr Rajoelina to organise elections in March 2010 unilaterally, and supports only such elections as have been prepared by a consensual and inclusive government as provided for in the Maputo Charter and the Addis Ababa Additional Act, in accordance with the electoral timetable and after consultation of the Madagascan people. The Commission and Member States are asked to send an electoral observation mission only in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Maputo and Addis Ababa Accords. In the event of failure to comply with the commitments accepted at Maputo and Addis Ababa, Parliament calls for individual, targeted sanctions to be imposed selectively on the current leaders of the High Transitional Authority (HTA) who are deliberately blocking progress.

It asks the international community and the EU to increase their humanitarian aid to the people of Madagascar , recalling that the gradual restoration of cooperation programmes with Madagascar is conditional on the establishment of the agreed transitional institutions of consensual and inclusive government in accordance with the Maputo Charter and the Addis Ababa Additional Act.

Parliament goes on to state that it supports the efforts of the former President of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr Joaquim Chissano, the SADC mediator, and calls on the four political groupings in Madagascar to return to the negotiating table immediately to agree on a political agenda for fair, democratic and transparent elections in 2010.

Lastly, Parliament calls for prosecution of those believed to have pillaged private or public property or the natural resources of Madagascar. It wants an interim government of Madagascar not to conclude any agreement or contract with other countries or undertakings relating to natural resources or the national heritage before elections have been held and the people of Madagascar have conferred a legitimate mandate on a new government.

T7-0032/2010

B7-0099/2010

B7-0100/2010

B7-0101/2010

B7-0102/2010

B7-0103/2010

B7-0104/2010

RC-B7-0099/2010