MADAGASCAR: The declared winner of Madagascar's presidential election after a month-long row, Mr Marc Ravalomanana, has decided to delay his swearing-in ceremony set for tomorrow, one of his aides said yesterday.
According to Mr Guy Rajemison, the head of the newly proclaimed president's office, Mr Ravalomanana said that at the request of the Organisation of African Unity he had postponed his investiture but would not give up his claim to the presidency.
A constitutional court announced on Monday that Mr Ravalomanana had won more than 51 per cent of the vote after a recount - against 35 per cent for the long-time president, Mr Didier Ratsiraka.
A second province in Madagascar seceded yesterday as divisions deepened between the presidential rivals in the Indian Ocean island state, bringing it to the brink of civil war.
The governor of Madagascar's eastern Toamasina province declared his territory independent, a day after the wealthy northern province of Antsiranana seceded.
"The province of Toamasina declares its independence within a confederation of independent states of Madagascar," the Governor, Mr Samuel Lahady, said.
But he said he would rescind the move if the swearing-in of Mr Ravalomanana as president does not go ahead.
Of Madagascar's six provinces, four - Toamasina, Antsiranana, Toliara in the south-east and Mahajanga in the north-west - are controlled by Ratsiraka loyalists.