Norway freezes aid to Madagascar
Norway has frozen all payments of bilateral aid to Madagascar until further notice. No new development cooperation agreements will be concluded due to the crisis in the country.
Erik Solheim. Photo: Regjeringen.no.
A number of other donor countries have also frozen their aid payments to Madagascar because of the uncertain situation in the country.
Norway urges all parties concerned to engage in dialogue so that the crisis can be resolved in a manner that is in keeping with Madagascar’s constitution. Norway condemns any attempt at a coup d’état, and calls on the parties to refrain from using violence and threats.
“We are assessing the situation on an ongoing basis. Any takeover of power that is not in line with democratic rules will have consequences for Norwegian aid to Madagascar,” commented Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim.
Together with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Norway has taken the initiative to draft a declaration on the protection of children in the current conflict.
Norway supports the mediation efforts being carried out under the auspices of the UN and the African Union (AU).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly advises against all non-essential travel to Madagascar.
Source: Regjeringen.no
