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Delegates Prevent Madagascar Leader from Addressing UN General Assembly


Southern African delegates prevented Madagascar's Andry Rajoelina from addressing the United Nations General Assembly Friday evening.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's foreign minister took the floor when it was was time for the self-proclaimed leader of Madagascar to take the podium.

Speaking on behalf of the Southern African Development Community, Alexis Thambwe Mwamba said the SADC will not recognize a speaker "who rose from an attempted coup."

The assembly then voted on whether Mr. Rajoelina should take the podium. Even the delegates were bewildered by the drama, prompting the Jamaican delegate to proclaim that he did not know what the votes were for and that he was "totally confused." His counterparts applauded that statement.

Mr. Rajoelina's turn was skipped, but it remained unclear whether he might speak to the assembly at a later point.

Mr. Rajoelina seized power in March, after leading weeks of street protests against President Marc Ravalomanana. The president fled Madagascar after losing the military's support.

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