The Indian Ocean nation of Madagascar on Thursday hailed the first-ever visit by United Nations chief Kofi Annan to the island on a farewell African tour before leaving his post later this year.
”It has always been a dream of mine to receive you here, to show you this country’s beauty, potential and determination,” said President Marc Ravalomanana after receiving the UN leader, who arrived in Madagascar for the second leg of his African swansong tour.
”Today, this dream has come true. We are deeply touched by your presence, Mr Secretary General. Thank you, thank you and thank you again,” he said.
Annan said he was happy to be in Madagascar, which suffered months of political crisis after the 2001 elections that pitted Ravalomanana’s camp and former president Didier Ratisraka in a dispute that claimed dozens of lives.
”The president has been asking me for the last three years to come. I am happy to be among you,” Annan said.
Ravalomanana’s government, which proclaimed authority during the crisis, was only recognised months later by the international community, a stance Annan had supported.
”To have here the secretary general of the UN, in a small country like Madagascar, is a great encouragement for us,” Ravalomanana said. ”This is evidence that Madagascar is taking its rightful place in the international arena. For this, we are very, very proud.”
Annan later visited an HIV/Aids prevention centre in Antananarivo, where he called for an increase in awareness about the disease and offered support to patients in a country whose HIV/Aids prevalence is rated at 1,1%, according to government statistics.
”This is not a reason to be complacent,” warned Annan, who steps down at the end of this year after completing two five-year terms.
He is later expected to meet with members of the Madagascar’s national assembly and senate, including opposition members, on the island that lies off Africa’s south-eastern coast. — Sapa-AFP