Argaw Ashine
4 November 2009
Four Madagascar political leaders meet in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for two days of dialogue in a bid to end the 17-month old political crisis, despite deepening rivalry between them.
Leaders of four political camps in Madagascar, including transitional president Andry Rajoelina and former presidents Marc Ravalomanana, Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy meet in Addis Ababa, African Union headquarters, for their fourth face-to-face negotiations.
The previous three round of negotiations could not resolve the political stalemate in the Indian Ocean Island.
The two-day negotiations mainly aims to deal to on the power-sharing arrangement for the Madagascar transitional administration.
Seven months ago in Maputo, Mozambique, all political leaders agreed to establish an all-inclusive transitional government and power-sharing deal.
A deal on who should hold the top posts in Madagascar's power-sharing government faced collapse after ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana refused to endorse his rival Andry Rajoelina as president.
IRIN
The protests which precipitated an unconstitutional seizure of power in Madagascar.
Even during the opening session on Wednesday afternoon in Addis Ababa, ousted leader Ravalomanana has protested by walking out of the session to show his resistance to endorse the young former DJ Andry Rajoelina as president.
The chief mediator of Madagascar's political parties, former Mozambique president Joaquim Chissano, also arrived in Addis Ababa Wednesday night.
African Union chief Jean Ping urged all political parties to put first the interests of the Malagasy people rather than their own agenda.
Ping also appealed the leaders to compromise their differences for the sake of Malagasy people, saying they were suffering from political fatigue.
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Let there be PEACE in Madagascar; and a smooth election for all to see in Africa.
One Word; CONGRATULATION AU. Please keep up the good works for the continent and her people. May God Bless you all that are showing they true sides of Africa and being Africans !!!
Active Discussions: Madagascar's New Power-Sharing Talks