Madagascar
Peaceful solutions to Malagasy crisis sought

afrol News, 17 April - Madagascar's two rival presidents are currently in Dakar (Senegal) in an effort to find a peaceful solution to the emerging civil war on the island state. Meanwhile, the Malagasy Supreme Court has annulled the country's disputed December presidential elections. 

Madagascar's self-proclaimed president Marc Ravalomanana arrived in Dakar Tuesday morning and was received by the Senegalese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cheikh Tadiane Gadio. Later on the same day, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade received Malagasy President Didier Ratsiraka. Wade also met with Ravalomanana. The two were to join in the international conference on the financing of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), where the 20 African Heads of State have dedicated extra time to reconcile the two rival Malagasy leaders.

The Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), Amara Essy, a top UN official in Dakar and Senegalese President Wade especially hosted Ravalomanana and Ratsiraka. Yesterday and today, they had closed door meetings with the Malagasy counterparts, who have not met directly yet. President Wade has made a strong appeal to both men to find a solution to their rivalry, which "could destroy their country."

The conflict indeed had escalated during the last weeks, raising local and international concerns of the outbreak of a regular civil war. After election observers and Ravalomanana's followers claimed the opposition politician had won the presidential election outright, pacific mass protests and a general strike set the tune for peaceful action. The conflict first escalated as Marc Ravalomanana on 20 February proclaimed himself President to the joy of tens of thousands of followers in the capital, Antananarivo, where he also is mayor.

President Ratsiraka, still demanding a second poll round, reacted by imposing martial law in Antananarivo, an order impossible to carry through. "President" Ravalomanana established his rival government in the capital, while Ratsiraka and his government fled to his coastal stronghold Tamatave (Taomasina). The last months, Ratsiraka's followers have cut off supplies to the capital, now lacking both food and energy. 

Over the last weeks, fighting has erupted in Ravalomanana's failed attempts to secure supplies to the capital. Several bridges have been blown up by Ratsiraka's followers. There has been regular fighting about the control of Madagascar's second city, Fianarantsoa, which seems to go on. At least 35 persons are reported to have been killed so far. Both sides seem to become more partisan and attacks on the press have increased.

While the two rivals finally have been persuaded to meet on neutral ground, developments in Madagascar are turning an interesting way. The Supreme Court has now annulled the results of the December poll, overruling a previous decision by the Malagasy High Constitutional Court. The latter court is normally the body that accepts or rejects election results, but the Supreme Court doubted its competence as President Ratsiraka had changed a majority of its members shortly before the elections.

According to a BBC report from Madagascar, the Supreme Court's decision is seen as a victory to Ravalomanana, who all the time has claimed that the elections were rigged. It is also indicated that the votes would be counted again, although it would prove difficult to find all the original ballot papers.

Sources: Press reports and afrol archives 

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