Madagascan president hands power to army

MADAGASCAN PRESIDENT Marc Ravalomanana stood down yesterday after his presidential palace was stormed by the military on Monday…

MADAGASCAN PRESIDENT Marc Ravalomanana stood down yesterday after his presidential palace was stormed by the military on Monday night.

Mr Ravalomanana, who began his second term in office two years ago, handed control of the country to the army after about 100 soldiers backed by tanks took control of the presidential palace and the central bank.

In statement issued yesterday, Mr Ravalomanana confirmed the transfer of power. “Full powers are given to a military authority headed by eldest in the highest rank of all forces,” the statement said.

The coup appears to mark a dramatic victory for the leader of the opposition, Andry Rajoelina, who has been engaged in a power struggle with Mr Ravalomanana since he was sacked as mayor of Antananarivo in early February.

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Mr Rajoelina (34), a former radio DJ, says Mr Ravalomanana has abused his position as president and misspent public finances during his seven years in power.

Mr Ravalomanana lost control of the majority of the army last week when his feud with Mr Rajoelina escalated to the point that foreign diplomats warned the country was on the verge of civil war.

In what was seen as a last-ditch effort to hang onto power on Sunday, Mr Ravalomanana proposed that a referendum take place so that Madagascans could decide which of the two political rivals should lead the Indian Ocean island off Mozambique’s coast.

This offer was rejected immediately by Mr Rajoelina, who said he had the backing of 60 opposition parties to lead an interim government until elections are held, which should take place within two years.

More than 130 civilians have died during protests against the government since the civil unrest began late last year. Last month 28 protesters were shot dead in one day by Mr Ravalomanana’s presidential guard following demonstrations.

But the bloodshed prompted military leaders to mutiny and throw their weight behind Mr Rajoelina’s opposition grouping, saying they would no longer turn their guns on fellow citizens.

Although he has not been declared president, it has been reported that Mr Rajoelina has moved into the presidential palace.

After Monday night’s assault on the palace, he told supporters that the transitional authority he established last month was in charge of the country’s affairs: “I solemnly declare that I will not spare any effort . . . We are now free but the road ahead remains rough.”

But Mr Ravalomanana’s statement said the military authority would exercise the powers conferred to the president and prime minister under the constitution rather than the opposition leader.

“The military authority is enabled to take all measures it deems necessary to restore public order and stability, facilitate a genuine national reconciliation geared towards true social and economic development,” it said.

Yesterday evening reports were emerging that Mr Rajoelina had rejected his rival’s transfer of power to the military at a meeting of army and opposition members at which Mr Ravalomanana’s resignation and transfer of power statement was read out.

Reuters adds: The African Union (AU) warned yesterday it would take firm measures against Madagascar if the situation there deteriorated and called for the constitution to be respected.

“We remind [you of] our commitment to the respect of the constitutional order, especially in the succession of the president,” Bruno Zidouemba, Burkina Faso’s envoy to the AU, said. “The AU council will be firm in the measures to be taken if the situation becomes worse . . . If the military takes over, it will be a coup d’etat.”