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Madagascar's political leaders have agreed to appoint a multiparty transitional government, headed by Andry Rajoelina, the leader who seized power last March, until new elections. The new administration will include representatives of ousted President Marc Ravalomanana.
This was announced in a statement by the African Union on Wednesday, following consultations in Antananarivo at which members of the country's four main political forces were represented.
The AU announced that the parties had reached a consensus on the following line-up for the transitional administration:
- President: Andry Rajoelina;
- Vice-president: Emmanuel Rakotovahiny of former President Albert Zafy's party
- Prime minister and chief of a consensus government: Eugene Mangalaza of the party of former president Didier Ratsiraka, who was himself deposed by Ravalomanana;
- A Congress of the Transition: to be led by an of Ravalomanana's movement;
- A Superior Council of the Transition: to be led by a Rajoelina appointee;
- A National Council of Reconciliation: to be headed by Albert Zafy; and
- An Economic and Social Council: to be led by a civil society appointee.
Mangalaza will replace an appointee of the Rajoelina administration.
The AU statement said that while Ravalomanana's movement had accepted Rajoelina's appointment, it expressed its strong objection to him standing as president in the elections, which must be held by late next year. An international mediation team will continue its work, the statement said, to ensure a "broad and inclusive" consensus and transition.
The mediators who brokered an agreement on elections and a transition back to democracy included African Union Commission Chief Jean Ping and former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano.
They said in the AU statement that they "strongly encouraged Malagasy leaders to restore the rule of law" and called for a "rapid return to constitutional order."
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This is poor reporting. To say that Didier Ratsiraka was deposed by Ravalomanana is to not understand the workings of a constitutional democracy. Or, perhaps, it shows bias on the reporting agency. Ratsiraka was ousted in a fair election, which he himself refused to accept causing the country untold strife. The people of Madagascar have been let down by the current process, disawoving Ravalomanana of his earned title and allowing the murderous Rajoelina to remain in power, legitimizing the lives lost in February.
Political Refugee is correct!
As judged by international observers the election of Ravalomanana was free and fair. D. Ratsiraka lost the election. Because he had the backing of France tired hold on to power. Finally, he was driving out but of course given safe haven in France where his has lived on the spoils of his dictatorship.
M. Ravalomanana was duly elected two times(!) He is still the President of Madagascar there is no way to change that.
The French want back in Madagascar so they choose Rajoelina as their new puppet for th leader of the coup this year.
To allow the present brutal dictator, Rajoelina, to run in any new election destroys democracy and opens the door for the French and the Ratsiraka family to take back their 'colony'.
Does no one see?
To allow the present brutal dictator, Rajoelina, to run in any new election destroys democracy in Madagascar, closes the doors with the rest of the world that Ravalomanana had opened. AND re-opens the door for the French and the Ratsiraka family to take back their 'colony'.