PSC/PR/BR(CCXI) Page 1 PRESS STATEMENT OF THE 211TH MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 211th meeting, held in Addis Ababa, on 7 December 2009, was briefed by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on recent developments in efforts to restore constitutional order in Madagascar. Council expressed deep concern at the continuing deadlock facing the formation of the Government of National Unity in Madagascar, which could jeopardize the progress achieved so far in the process of ending the crisis. In this regard, Council looks forward the outcomes of the ongoing meeting of the Chefs de file des Mouvances politiques Madagascar in Maputo, since 4 December 2009, under the chairmanship of former President of Mozambique, Mr. Joaquim Chissano, in his capacity as Head of the SADC Mediation Team, as well as the outcome of consultations with President Andry Rajoelina. Council appealed to all political movements in Madagascar to demonstrate the required political will to resolve the current impasse in strict compliance with the Maputo Agreements and the Additional Act of Addis Ababa, and place the interests of the country above any other consideration. Council took note of steps taken by the Chairperson of the Commission towards the establishment of the Monitoring Mechanism. In this regard, Council urged all relevant organizations, namely the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the OIF and the UN to quickly appoint their representatives within the Monitoring Mechanism and take other steps to facilitate its effective functioning. Council expressed its expectation that the Mechanism will be in a position to contribute to efforts aiming at resolving difficulties that may arise in the functioning of the transitional institutions, as well as, to the achievement of sustainable progress to meet the conditions for the successful holding of legislative and presidential elections, which will mark the end of the crisis. Council finally took note with satisfaction of the intention of the Chairperson of the Commission to take advantage of the International Contact Group on Madagascar to ensure continuous mobilization of the International Community for the solution to the crisis in Madagascar. Addis Ababa, 7 December 2009