Annan welcomes peace deal in Madagascar

Times of India 20.04.2002

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Friday said an agreement between two rival leaders on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar was a major step towards resolving a four-month political crisis.

In a statement, Annan said he hoped that with the accord signed Thursday by President Didier Ratsiraka and his opponent, Marc Ravalomanana, "the constitutional order in Madagascar will be restored very soon."

Under the agreement, mediated by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and signed in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, the two men agreed to abide by a Supreme Court ruling ordering a recount of the December 16 presidential election.

"The agreement represents a major step forward towards the resolution of the political crisis," Annan said.