On October 13, local time, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Madagascar and issued an announcement after the meeting.
The announcement reiterated the African Union's zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government; strongly called on protesters to use existing legal channels to resolve any legitimate demands; strongly condemned all forms of violence and property destruction; and urged the Madagascar Armed Forces to abide by their constitutional responsibilities and avoid interfering in national political affairs; Emphasize the need for the Malagasy government to adopt a "whole-of-society" approach that engages all key stakeholders, including women and youth, to comprehensively address the structural causes of the multidimensional challenges facing the country; call for full respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens; encourage the Malagasy government to urgently organize an inclusive political dialogue as the only viable way to reach consensus and sustainable solutions to the socio-economic and political challenges currently facing the country.
The announcement stated that the African Union would urgently appoint a special envoy for Madagascar and establish a follow-up coordination mechanism. It also recommended that a high-level delegation be sent to Madagascar immediately to engage with relevant stakeholders with a view to addressing the challenges facing the country. (General reporter Wu Ting)