Updated

The African Union has welcomed the decision by Madagascar's high court to reject parliament's effort to impeach the president.

Chairwoman of the union's commission, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, in a Wednesday statement called on decision makers to be responsible and avoid further instability after years of crisis.

The Carter Center, a civil society organization founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, commended the court's ruling as a step toward reconciliation in Madagascar's splintered political system.

Madagascar's High Constitutional Court over the weekend dismissed a vote by lawmakers to remove President Hery Rajaonarimampianina. Lawmakers accused him of repeatedly violating the constitution.

Rajaonarimampianina, who took over from a transitional government following the 2009 coup, does not have the backing of a stable majority in parliament. He took office at the end of 2013.