Madagascar: AU to lift suspension following polls

The African Union is planning to resume Madagascars membership which was suspended four years ago after a coup, an official letter sent to Madagascars newly elected president HeryRajaonarimampianina indicated.The AU commission president recalls the AU Council for Peace and Security Council (PSC)s intention to invite Madagascar to resume its place at the AU and to participate to its activities after the presidential election in the requirements of freedom, transparency and regularity, and after the new President of the Republic has taken function, said the AU letter sent on Friday but shared to the media in Madagascar on Sunday. The president of the African Union Commission (AU), Dr. NkosazanaDlamini-Zuma, notes the proclamation of the final results of presidential run-off on January 17, 2014, by the Special Electoral Court (CES) in Madagascar, said the letter. The president of AU commission congratulates Mr. HeryRajaonarimampianina on his election as the new President of Madagascars Republic, the letter said in part. It expresses the appreciation of the AU to the people, as well as all political actors and institutions in Madagascar, for the commitment they have shown and which helped to end the process of transition, through the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections, it said. AU urges them to continue to demonstrate the same commitment and the same sense of responsibility to consolidate the remarkable progress that has been made and thus facilitate a sustainable exit from crisis,it added.The AU commission president call on the international community to assist Madagascar in its efforts to realize socioeconomic recovery and promote national reconciliation, it added. The AU suspended Madagascars membership in 2009 after a coup forced the transfer of power from the elected president to a transitional president.