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Margelov: Presidential elections in Madagascar prove political crisis ends

MOSCOW, January 03, 19:40 /ITAR-TASS/. The results of the elections in Madagascar will prove the end of the political crisis in the country, Russian presidential envoy for cooperation with African countries Mikhail Margelov said on Friday.

Madagascar’s former finance minister Hery Rajaonarimampianina has become a new president.

International observers believe that the elections were held without violations. “This proves that democratic procedures in Africa are becoming a political reality,” the Federation Council Foreign Affairs Committee chairman said.

Russia “welcomes the election of a new president. We maintained contacts with acting President Andry Rajoelina. I’m sure that we will develop constructive relations with the new leadership”, Margelov said.

The Russian legislator expressed hope that he would meet the new Madagascar president during the African Union summit in Addis Ababa at the end of January.

In addition, Margelov said recently presidential and parliamentary elections had been successfully held in Mali where he took part in the inauguration of President Modibo Keita on the instruction of the Russian president.

“I’d like to say the epoch is ending when political crises and the change of political regimes tore Africa apart,” the presidential special envoy said.

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