UN chief condemns unconstitutional change of gov't in Madagascar

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar and called for the return to constitutional order and the rule of law, said a statement issued by his spokesperson on Thursday.

The statement said the UN chief took note of the decision of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to immediately suspend the country from participation in all activities of the union, its organs and institutions, until constitutional order is restored in the country.

"The Secretary-General encourages all the Malagasy stakeholders, including the youth, to work together to address the underlying causes of instability in the country," the statement said.

Guterres also reiterated the availability of the United Nations to support national efforts toward the attainment of that goal, in collaboration with the African Union, the Southern African Development Community and other international partners, the statement added.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, a Malagasy military officer, announced on Tuesday that state power in Madagascar had been taken over by a military council comprising members of the army, gendarmerie and national police, and the country's constitution had been suspended.

Protests erupted in Madagascar in late September, initially triggered by widespread power outages and water shortages. Some demonstrations turned violent and soon escalated into calls for the president's resignation. The protests took a new turn on Saturday, with an army regiment declaring its support for and protection of the protesters. ■