Addis Ababa, 17 January 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, takes note of the proclamation, today 17 January 2014, by the Special Electoral Court (CES) of Madagascar, of the final results of the second round of the presidential elections.

The Chairperson of the Commission commends Mr. Hery M. Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana for his election as the new President of the Republic of Madagascar. She expresses the AU’s appreciation to the Malagasy people and political actors and institutions for their commitment which has made it possible to bring the transition process to a successful end, with the holding of the presidential and legislative elections. She urges them to continue to demonstrate the same commitment and the same sense of responsibility to consolidate the remarkable progress that has been recorded and thus facilitate a sustainable exit from crisis.

The Chairperson of the Commission recalls that the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU, at its 368th meeting held at ministerial level in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, on 22 April 2013, had expressed its intention to invite Madagascar to resume its place in the AU and to participate in its activities, once the presidential election is held in the required conditions of freedom, fairness and transparency, and after the new President of the Republic has taken office.

The Chairperson of the Commission seizes this opportunity to appeal to the international community as a whole to support Madagascar's efforts towards socio-economic recovery and national reconciliation, and to mobilise all the required resources to this end.