Madagascar peace deal signed

2009-08-09 10:30

Maputo - Leaders of Madagascar's main political movements signed on Sunday a transition blueprint, ending months of crisis on the island nation that had led to international isolation and halts in foreign aid.

Madagascan leaders, including ousted president Marc Ravalomanana and strongman Andry Rajoelina, "agreed that the transition will last no longer 15 months from the signature of the accord," said UN mediator Tiebile Drame.

During that period legislative and presidential elections will be held under international supervision "which will lead to the re-establishment of stable democratic institutions in Madagascar," he added.

The composition of the transition government has yet to be decided, however, said former Mozambican leader Joaquim Chissano, who led the talks which began on Wednesday.

Aid suspended

"They will reflect on it and make a decision later," he told journalists.

The transition government will include a president, vice-president, prime minister and three deputy prime ministers.

According to participants in the negotiations talks on this question should resume later on Sunday in the Mozambican capital.

Madagascar has become increasingly isolated since Ravalomanana was forced to abandon the presidency and flee in March following riots that left over 100 dead, with the international community pushing for a return to constitutional order and suspending the bulk of its aid to one of the world's poorest states.

Ravalomanana said he will not personally take part in the political transition in the island nation.

"In the interests of the nation, and following consultations, it seems reasonable to me to not participate personally in the transition," he told journalists, adding that his party would take part in the transition institutions.

Amnesty

Under the terms of the accord members of the transition government may not run in the elections, expect for its president.

Ravalomanana said however that he would return home to Madagascar under the terms of the accord, which grants him an amnesty, although he said he would wait until "the situation is favourable".

The amnesty quashes his corruption conviction, but does not cover any potential charges relating to war crimes, crimes and against humanity, and violations of human rights.

Ravalomanana has been living in exile in South Africa since fleeing Madagascar in March following the riots which left 100 dead, handing over power to the army, which then transferred it to his rival Rajoelina.

He was sentenced to four years in prison in June after being tried in absentia for a "conflict of interest" in the purchase of a presidential airplane - a scandal that helped crystalise opposition to him and led to the rise of Rajoelina to power.

Succession crisis

Ravalomanana's fate had dominated the internationally-backed talks, which aimed to solve the wider dispute between him and Rajoelina which has unsettled the country since January.

Given the recurrent crises in the island nation, former presidents Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy, still powerful powerbrokers in the country, were also invited to participate in the talks.

The issue of amnesty for former president Ratsiraka was resolved on Thursday. He has been in exile in France since a succession crisis over the disputed results of a 2001 presidential election against Ravolamanana.

Ratsiraka was convicted in 2003 of misusing public funds and threatening state security. He was sentenced to 10 years of forced labour and five years in prison.

- AFP