Madagascar dismisses AU sanctions

2010-03-19 09:36

Antananarivo - The prime minister of Madagascar's de facto government on Thursday dismissed African Union sanctions on the island's leaders for defying calls to implement deals to end its political crisis.

"The sanctions were predictable. We had been expecting them for weeks, we can live with them," Camille Vital said.

The pan-African bloc on Wednesday imposed travel bans and an asset freeze on the island's leader, Andry Rajoelina, and 108 of his supporters for failing to respect the agreements with his rivals.

Rajoelina's rivals include three former presidents, including the one he ousted last year, Marc Ravalomanana.

Vital said the accords signed last year between Rajoelina and his political rivals were not applicable and insisted the large Indian Ocean nation will go to elections, rather than interim power-sharing.

"We are not changing our minds. Elections must be organised," he added.

"We will see the participation and I hope that international observers will want to come."

The African Union has spearheaded negotiations to reach some settlement to put an end to the island's crisis after Rajoelina grabbed power on March 17 2009.

Rajoelina led weeks of at times violent protests to oust then president Ravalomanana, accusing him of authoritarianism, corruption and trampling on basic freedoms.

- SAPA