Political legitimacy secures readmission to AU

After a year-long suspension, Madagascar on Thursday was readmitted to the African Union (AU). At the opening of the AU summit in Mozambique, South African President Thabo Mbeki said: "They've agreed to lift the suspension of Madagascar. Therefore I am very pleased to welcome [Madagascar President Marc] Ravalomanana back [to the AU]." The Indian Ocean island was banned from attending the first AU summit held in July 2002 in Durban, South Africa, because of doubts over the legitimacy of its president. Ravalomanana assumed power last year following a protracted struggle over the presidency with former president Didier Ratsiraka. The stand-off between the rival presidents launched the country into political chaos and led to sporadic clashes between opposition supporters. The AU was reluctant to endorse Ravalomanana's presidency, saying his election had not been "legally constituted", and called for fresh elections. In legislative elections held on 15 December 2002 Ravalomanana's party, Tiako i Madagasikara (I Love Madagascar), won over half the National Assembly's 160 seats. Meanwhile, on a visit to the country, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director, Horst Kohler, said the Fund had approved Madagascar's poverty reduction strategy. "Last year Madagascar experienced a year of crisis, with severe consequences for economic growth and poverty reduction. Against this background, I have been particularly pleased with the recent completion of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). In a country such as Madagascar, sustainable growth means broad improvements in the productivity and welfare of the people. The strategy outlined in the PRSP, and the government's efforts to implement that strategy, are strongly supported by the IMF and the international community," Kohler said in a statement. Poverty is pervasive in Madagascar with most people living on less than US $1 per day.