Ban Ki-moon calls for an end to corruption in Madagascar

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has called for an end to corruption in Madagascar stating that the UN is particularly concerned with the level of hunger in the country.

Ban Ki-moon made the call during his two day visit to the East African country where he addressed Malagasy parliamentarians to end the corruption that has weakened the island while launching a report on the cost of hunger in the country.

“Your elections last year represented an important milestone that ended five years of political crisis,” he said.

Madagascar is faced with widespread poverty, weak economic growth and high unemployment, as well as bad water which is reportedly “among the worst in the world.”

This is the third and last stop of the UN chief’s trip to the region which began last Saturday, and included the Seychelles and Mauritius.

The Secretary-General noted that Madagascar is at a crossroads adding that he sees huge challenges and greater opportunities in the island.

“This Parliament has the democratic legitimacy to guide Madagascar in meeting the challenges ahead. You can end the corruption that has weakened Malagasy society. You can help fight the illegal trafficking of natural treasures. In this way, you can be fully accountable to the voters,” he told the MPs.

The UN chief said there is no place for torture in the modern world, including in Madagascar: “I urge you to end all rights violations, including mob justice and extrajudicial killings,” he insisted, applauding the country for abolishing the death penalty.

He also commended Madagascar for being among the more than 175 countries that have signed the Paris Agreement on climate change, and urged the Parliament to ratify it immediately.