Africa
Ousted Madagascar leader says to return home
By Agnieszka Flak
Apr 20, 2009, 12:31

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Ousted Madagascar leader Marc Ravalomanana said on Monday he planned to return home in a few weeks and that an election must be held before the end of the year to end a political crisis.

Madagascar's government has rejected an attempt by Ravalomanana to nominate a new prime minister and said it still had an arrest warrant out for the former leader.

Ravalomanana quit last month after a weeks-long power struggle on the Indian Ocean island culminated with dissident troops backing his rival Andry Rajoelina, who has rejected any power-sharing deal.

Ravalomanana has said he is willing to share power but still regards himself as the country's leader. It was not clear if a deal was being worked out that would allow him to return home without being arrested.

Foreign leaders branded the transition a coup and have called for a quick election to restore constitutional order. Madagascar has been suspended from the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Ravalomanana, 59, has been on the road lobbying African leaders and foreign diplomats since he stepped aside. In Antananarivo, his supporters hold near-daily protests in their thousands.

"I'll be back in Madagascar in a few weeks and the plan is to have anticipated (early) elections or a referendum before the end of the year. That is the only way out of the crisis," Ravalomanana told a news conference in Johannesburg.

His latest moves risk stoking political tensions and reigniting the violence which preceded Rajoelina's rise to power. At least 135 people were killed in the unrest, which unnerved foreign investors and scared off tourists.

Ravalomanana, a self-made dairy tycoon, said he was working for stability, and that is why he did not encourage an armed response to his ousting.

"I don't want to have bloodshed in Madagascar," he said.

"I'm not afraid to be arrested (when I go back). I trust SADC and the AU will help me to return to Madagascar," he said.

He remained defiant on the issue of prime minister.

"My decision to move forward with the new prime minister and a new inclusive government is the best option for ending the crisis," Ravalomanana said.

Rajoelina has said he will hold a presidential election in October 2010 to restore democracy.

Ravalomanana hopes the SADC, which was accused of dragging its feet and being too soft on President Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe's political crisis, will help him reclaim power.

"We need to put pressure on this group, on this unconstitutional regime in Madagascar," he said.

© Copyright 2004 by YourSITE.com