Madagascar

Opposition leader calls for transitional government

Article published on the 2009-01-30 Latest update 2009-02-12 18:48 TU

A soldier in Antananarivo, 29 January 2009.
( Photo: Richerd Bouhet/ AFP )

The mayor of Madagascar’s capital, Andry Rajoelina, said on Friday that he wants to lead the island in a two-year transitional government and end President Marc Ravalomanana’s rule. The US ambassador claims that at least 100 people have died in riots this week.

“I want to lead this democratic transition. It is the wish of he people. There is need for fresh blood, a new vision,” Rajoelina told reporters at his home on Friday.

The capital, Antananarivo, has seen violent riots over the last few days, following Rajoelina’s call for demonstrations to force the President to step down. But the hyperactive mayor, who is known by his nickname TGV after the French-made high-speed train, switched tactics Friday and called for the capital to turn into a ghost town.

His call was not universally heeded as a small demonstration against the shutdown was held in the capital on Thursday, RFI’s correspondent Nick Champeaux said.

The violence and police reaction have caused at least 100 deaths, US ambassador Nils Marquadt told the Reuters news agency on Friday, though the police claim that there have only been 44.

The scale of the crisis has convinced both Rajoelina and Ravalomanana to soften their hardline stances. Both men have now stated that they are willing to meet.

After meeting with representatives from the Catholic Church, Ravalomanana said Thursday night that he would now be open to dialogue with his rival.

Departing from his previous stance, Rajoelina afterward said he would meet the President to negotiate a solution to the political crisis.

“But holding talks would mean accepting the demands of the people who want a transitional government,” he added.