The Anglican Archbishop of the Indian Ocean, based in Mauritius, is calling on political leaders in Madagascar to set aside their political agendas and put people first.

A delegation from two global church groups to Madagascar has called for international pressure to secure democracy in the island nation following the military-supported ousting of President Marc Ravalomanana.

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Council for World Mission (CWM) are appealing for calm in Madagascar following a change of government after weeks of violence in the country.

As the conflict deepens in his country, the leader of the largest Protestant church in Madagascar has issued a repeated radio appeal to Christian soldiers in the military not to kill.