Madagascar

Army sacks army chief, appoints successor

Article published on the 2009-03-10 Latest update 2009-03-11 18:57 TU

A riot police officer stands guard during a demonstration in Antananarivo
(Credit: Reuters)

Madagascar army chief General Edmond Resolofomahandry was sacked and replaced on Wednesday by the army, just hours after he issued politicans a 72-hour ultimatum to end the current crisis and warned that the army would take control. The president normally appoints the army head, but in this instance the new chief-of-staff was appointed by his peers.

Madagascar's army chief-of-staff warned Tuesday that the military would take over the country if political leaders failed to stop the current crisis within 72 hours.

Also on Wednesday, Madagascar opposition leader Andry Rajoelina said he would refuse to attend crisis talks.

"The United Nations is closely engaged with the efforts under way to urge a peaceful resolution to the political crisis there," said UN spokesperson Marie Okabe on Tuesday.

At least some of the Malagasy military have mutinied in recent days, angry at a crackdown by President Marc Ravalomanana's government on demonstrations spearheaded by opposition leader Andry Rajoelina.

On Tuesday Defence Minister Mamy Ranaivoniarivo quit after just one month in the job -- apparently under pressure from rebel troops.

So far the crisis has killed around 135 people and devastated the economy.

The French foreign ministry referred any question on Madagascar opposition leader Andry Rajoelina to the UN after he left the French ambassador's residence in Antananarivo, the capital. 

 Rajoelina had taken refuge there last Friday, according to the French foreign ministry, after police had attempted to arrest him and ransacked his radio station. 

The UN said that it was in contact with all of the involved parties on the ground, as well as mediators already present in the island country and the international community.