Madagascar

Defence minister replaced by military staff chief

Article published on the 2009-02-10 Latest update 2009-02-10 13:20 TU

Malagasy mourners view bodies of protestors shot and killed by security forces
(Credit: Reuters)

Madagascar's defence minister Cecile Manorohanta has resigned after police shot dead at least 28 opposition protesters at the weekend. She was replaced by the chief of military staff, Mamy Ranaivoniarivo. The resignation comes amid a bitter power struggle between President Marc Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina.

Cecile Manorohanta said she did not want to be a part of a government that condoned the shooting of civilians. In a statement read out over private Malagasy radio, she said, "In this period of political crisis, I extend my condolences and moral support to the families who suffered losses."

Rajoelina has reiterated his call for the President Marc Ravalomanana to resign, but he shows no signs of stepping down, according to RFI's Nick Champeaux, who is currently in the capital.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon's envoy Haile Menkerios has been mediating the Madagascar stand-off between the president and his main opponent Andry Rajoelina.

Champeaux said that both the president and the capital's mayor Rajoelina said that in principal they had no objections to a meeting and to maintaining a dialogue. "However, the mayor said he would accept, if and only if, discussions revolved around a transition authority and snap elections," said Champeaux.

He added that the president also presented a number of conditions.

A French envoy and an African Union envoy are expected to come to Madagascar on Tuesday afternoon to help mediate.