Madagascar, 2012

As

President of the Transition of Madagascar, it is a great

honour for me to participate in the general debate of

the United Nations for the second time. The theme of the sixty-seventh session is akin to a call for unity,

for shared contemplation and for generally revisiting

existential questions and human values in the face of

situations around the world where peace is extremely

precarious.

The last few years have indeed been marked by

differences of opinion, political disputes and conflicts

of interest. The world today faces new challenges to

stability and the maintenance of peace. Various efforts

and initiatives have been undertaken to deal with

conflicts that are not homogeneous and disputes that

do not always play out along the same lines. People’s

interests differ and their approaches are not all equal.

Today the list of the forms that global conflicts

take leads us to an obvious reality: geostrategic

variations conform to no one rule, and they are in

perpetual f lux. The wise words of Secretary-General

Ban Ki-moon in his statement at the opening of the

sixteenth Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement seem

particularly revealing in that context. Did he not stress

that among the challenges that must be met, there are

all too many political disputes between member States

of the Non-Aligned Movement itself? Did he not urge

the protagonists in the Syrian crisis to immediately

institute a ceasefire and a halt to the violence? And yet

we can only deplore the fact that his call produced no

result. Scores of innocent people are still dying every

day, and over recent months they now number in the

thousands. We firmly condemn this loss of human life.

The Earth continues to run with the blood of innocents,

spilled violently not only in Syria but in other parts of

the world as well.

Given this state of affairs, despite the complexity

of the challenges those conflicts present, the Secretary-

General has not stood idle. We can only commend his

determination to strive tirelessly to seek a negotiated

settlement. States and other bodies must join forces

to maintain peace, stability and security in the world.

We cannot be passive witnesses to current or future

disasters. The Republic of Madagascar sets particular

store by the relevance and importance of the principles

set forth in the United Nations Charter, as a source

of inspiration as well as a pillar of support for the

interdependence of nations and peoples. That being the

case, human rights, the law of States, the rule of law

and the other international regulatory tools place before

leaders their responsibilities.

The League of Nations defined the rule of law as a

principle of governance based on the submission of all individuals and institutions, including the State, to the

adopted and published laws, without distinction as to

social or economic status; on the equality of everyone

before an independent, impartial justice system; and on

the harmonization of national laws with international

human rights standards. No one should be above the

law, and the culture of impunity must be banished.

Mr. Benmehidi (Algeria), Vice-President, took the

Chair.

National conflicts today transcend borders and are

becoming international problems. More than ever, the

role of diplomacy and international negotiations face

difficulties. The consequences of disputes play out in a

number of ways, including with problems of impunity,

instability in the Arab and Muslim world, the case of

Somali piracy, illegal immigrations, persons displaced

by war, problems regarding the Rom issue, religious

confrontations, management of land and sea borders,

and food insecurity. It is undeniable that much remains

to be done to save human lives, because still civilian

populations remain the primary victims of conflicts

and disputes throughout the world.

The world is in upheaval, and many countries are in

a situation of transition. Their peoples demand change

and hope for sustainable development. Those countries

need to be supported and encouraged, not sanctioned.

In that context, allow me to highlight the case of my

own country, Madagascar.

Madagascar is a country emerging from crisis,

thanks to the involvement of the bodies of the Southern

African Development Community and the support of

the African Union, the Indian Ocean Commission and

the International Organization of la Francophonie. A

road map was signed and adopted by the Malagasy

political parties in September 2011. Thus, several

significant steps have been taken. The Malagasy parties

have honoured their commitments. All the transitional

institutions have been set up, including a national unity

Government and the transitional Parliament. The road

map, which we can call a political agreement, has

allowed us to launch the electoral process.

Madagascar needs to take its destiny into its own

hands, to write its own history, and to end the cycle of

political instability through the holding of credible and

transparent elections, guaranteed by the establishment

of the Independent National Electoral Commission

of the Transition. Above all, recently, in concert with

United Nations experts, the electoral timetable for Madagascar was officially announced, including the

holding of presidential elections scheduled for 8 May

2013. Thus I launch a solemn appeal to all international

partners, all Member States and friends of Madagascar

to support us and encourage us in that approach, which

is the only and most democratic path forward.

Profoundly committed to the values of solidarity,

tolerance and peace, Madagascar is now searching for

swift development and a better future. During the three

and a half years of transition and despite all attempts

at destabilization, we have worked tirelessly every day

to honour our commitments and ensure the protection

of our countrymen, all the while addressing social

problems. In spite of challenging times, and despite the

suspension of international aid and subsidies, which

once accounted for 60 per cent of the State budget, we

have been able to keep the administration functioning

normally and have honoured all our commitments and

debts.

Madagascar is indeed one of the least developed

countries. Nevertheless, it is one of the least indebted

countries in the world since its debt amounts to only

5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), compared

to other countries whose debt rate can reach up to

238 per cent of GDP. Therefore, it is possible to develop

our country and create our wealth through our own

resources. That is the challenge that we are meeting.

Now it is high time to embark on in-depth reform

to create an effective system that meets the highest

expectations of our respective populations — not

forgetting, obviously, the need to double or even triple

our commitments to fighting poverty and promoting

sustainable development. Here today, I launch an appeal

for international solidarity to channel the transition

towards the building of a more promising future — but

without stif ling us.

The Malagasy people need their full and entire

independence, but above all they must be able to

hold transparent and therefore democratic elections.

I know that everyone here is sincerely willing to lend

us support. So allow me to give the Assembly the

solution. The best way to help us is to trust us, honour

the commitments made and let us shoulder our own

responsibilities. In the name of universal values and

principles, anyone meeting the conditions of eligibility

dictated by law is fully entitled to exercise that liberty.

That is a fundamental principle, and all States must

respect it. The Malagasy people alone — not other

countries or external pressure — have the sovereign right to decide who should guide their destiny. The

Malagasy people alone will choose the man or woman

who will lead Madagascar.

If confidence is shown in the Malagasy people, they

will be grateful. The concepts of non-interference and

respect for the sovereignty of each country establish

mutual trust, which is a basic rule for all international

negotiations. They are among the peaceful means

needed to build lasting peace. Efforts must be made

to put an end to the inequalities in how countries in

political crisis are treated. The realities on the ground

and popular aspirations must be acknowledged in order

to avoid making the wrong decision.

Despite our disagreements and our differences on

how to achieve a peaceful settlement of our conflicts,

we the States Members of the United Nations are

unanimous in our firm desire for peace. The United

Nations system cannot just be the police of the world;

it also needs to be a source of hope and of values. Our

societies need to exist and find their way through

their own values, because it is social and economic

ills, injustice, the lack of protection for vulnerable

populations and intolerance for minorities that often

cause States to collapse.

As far as its modest means allow, the Republic of

Madagascar is determined to contribute to achieving

our shared goals. The peace accord is fragile and needs

to develop. To quote Martin Luther King, Jr., “All

progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem

brings us face to face with another problem”. It is our

duty and responsibility to provide a better future for the

generations to come. Global stability requires tolerance,

assistance, the creation and equitable sharing of wealth,

and poverty reduction through sustainable development

and reconciliation. The principles of adjustment or

settlement of international disputes by peaceful means

requires a return to our values, gender balance and

equality, and, above all, democratic alternation. God

bless our nation!