IOL 13.12.2009
Madagascan leaders stranded in SA - Madagascar's coup leader Andry Rajoelina left several of his rivals stranded in South Africa yesterday after telling airlines they would not be allowed to land in Antananarivo if they carried the political leaders.
This "immature" gesture by the former DJ has dealt another blow to the fraught negotiations to restore democracy to the Indian Ocean island state which was thrown into turmoil when Rajoelina seized power in a military coup earlier this year.
A week ago, Rajoelina stranded the leaders in Maputo when he cancelled a Malagasy government charter flight which was supposed to bring them back from negotiations in Maputo.
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AfricaNews 13.12.2009
Madagascar: U.S. threatens to strike - The United States is pressuring Madagascar's rulers to agree on a transitional government or face losing trade benefits under American law. The U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly in a statement gave the African country next Tuesday to comply with its directive. - The statement ordered Madagascar to take "concrete steps toward reestablishing a constitutional democratic government and the rule of law," else they would "seriously threaten" the continuation of U.S. trade preferences which the country had enjoyed for the last nine years. >>>>>
Washington Post 12.12.2009
Madagascar government row strands politicians - Madagascar's president once again Saturday blocked opposition leaders from flying back to the Indian Ocean island in a standoff over the formation of a new government.
Foreign donors say time is running out for the island of about 20 million people to form a consensus administration to arrange fresh presidential elections before late 2010 -- a condition placed on the release of frozen donor aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars. >>>>>
allAfrica 11.12.2009
Madagascar: U.S. Threatens to Cut Trade Benefits Over Political Deadlock - The The United States has stepped up pressure on Madagascar's rulers to agree on a transitional government or face losing trade benefits under American law.
In a statement released in Washington on Thursday, U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said that if Malagasy political leaders failed by next Tuesday to take "concrete steps toward reestablishing a constitutional democratic government and the rule of law," they would "seriously threaten" the continuation of U.S. trade preferences which the country had enjoyed for the last nine years. >>>>>
U.S. Department Of State 10.12.2009
Madagascar's AGOA Eligibility - Madagascar has been a leader in the utilization of the trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) since becoming eligible in October 2000. The Act requires the President to annually designate countries as eligible to receive the benefits of AGOA if they have established, or are making continual progress in certain criteria, including the rule of law and political pluralism. The March 2009 undemocratic transfer of power and the inability to establish a return to democracy have violated one of the vital criteria for Madagascar’s continued eligibility for these trade preferences. The U.S. Government urges the Malagasy political leadership to take concrete steps toward reestablishing a constitutional democratic government and the rule of law. These steps include the announcement of the full Transitional Government Cabinet; establishment of a National Reconciliation Council; clear progress toward establishing an Independent Electoral Commission; and setting an election deadline with an update of those election plans for the international community. Failure to achieve these benchmarks by December 15, 2009 would seriously threaten Madagascar’s continued eligibility for AGOA’s trade benefits in 2010. The United States Government reiterates its demand that Madagascar’s political leadership move forward rapidly towards the establishment of democratic constitutional rule. Additional delay in meeting these benchmarks will undermine Madagascar’s credibility and its prospects for continued eligibility for AGOA benefits.
Xinhua 10.12.2009
Tensions mount between Madagascan protagonists - Tensions have mounted between Madagascan transitional president Andry Rajoelina and former presidents Marc Ravalomanana, Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy.
At a press conference held Wednesday evening, Rajoelina raised his tone on a letter sent by Zafy to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, requesting a ban on the visa of Madagascar's delegation expected to attend the climate change conference in Copenhagen.
"We have the honor to urge you not to grant any facility, including the issuance of visas and accommodation to a purported Madagascar's delegation led only by Mr. Rajoelina, for lack of recognition and representation," said the letter signed on Dec. 3 by Zafy. >>>>>
BBC 10.12.2009
Madagascar leader blocks opposition flight after talks - Madagascar's opposition leaders have been left stranded after talks in the Mozambican capital when the interim president blocked their plane. - Andry Rajoelina is said to be unhappy with the outcome of the talks, which he refused to attend - accusing the delegates of "high treason". Prime Minister Eugene Mangalaza is one of those stranded.
Tensions remain high despite a political agreement reached last month for a 15-month transitional period.
Former President Albert Zafy told Radio Mozambique that the interim leader, Mr Rajoelina, had accused those in Mozambique of trying to organise a coup d'etat. "He ordered a complete ban on flights coming from Mozambique," Mr Zafy said. >>>>>
Reuters 10.12.2009
Stranded Madagascar politicians fear for security - Opposition figures stranded in Mozambique - France says it regrets deal cut in Maputo - Madagascar's opposition leaders said on Wednesday they had been told their security could not be guaranteed if they returned home after agreeing in Mozambique to press ahead with a proposed unity government.
President Andry Rajoelina, who grabbed power in a March coup, has rejected the deal struck by his rivals in Maputo on the make-up of a new administration, denouncing the agreement as tantamount to a coup d'etat. >>>>>
allAfrica 09.12.2009
Madagascar: Deal Reached - But Without Rajoelina - Three former presidents of Madagascar agreed in Maputo on Tuesday on the share-out of ministerial posts in a transitional government - but such a government seems impossible to set up for as long as the man who actually holds power in Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, boycotts negotiations.
The negotiations ran from Friday to Tuesday and involved the democratically elected president whom Rajoelina toppled in March, Marc Ravolamanana, and his two predecessors, Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy. >>>>>
AFP/Google 09.12.2009
Madagascar negotiators marooned in Mozambique - Envoys from three Madagascan rival political movements were marooned Wednesday in Mozambique when air authorities in Madagascar denied them a plane home, an aviation source said.
"We're still in Maputo, we're waiting for a solution to try to return to Madagascar," Ange Andrianarisoa, an aide to former president Didier Ratsiraka, told AFP in Antananarivo by telephone.
Andrianarisoa said that the Mozambican government, which is trying to help bring about an end to a political stalemate in Madagascar, "has taken us in hand and has put us in a hotel."
On Tuesday in Maputo, the three Madagascan movements agreed on the sharing out of posts in a transitional government, and left some key portfolios for the fourth faction, headed by strongman Andry Rajoelina, who was not in Maputo. >>>>>
AFP/Google 08.12.2009
Madagascar: 3 leaders going ahead with unity gov't - Three political leaders from Madagascar say they are going ahead with forming a unity government, but a fourth politician says that amounts to a coup.
Andry Rajoelina did not attend a round of negotiations in Mozambique that ended late Tuesday with a declaration naming Cabinet ministers. The three other leaders in Mozambique accuse Rajoelina of blocking attempts to form a coalition.
Rajoelina told The Associated Press he rejected Tuesday's declaration. He says it amount to "a coup d'etat." >>>>>
Reuters 08.12.2009
Madagascar leader rejects oppositon unity govt deal - Rajoelina calls opposition deal a coup d'etat - Has informed military of his position - Opposition wants unity govt formed without delay - Madagascar's president rejected an agreement on Tuesday on the make-up of a unity government that was struck by his rivals in neighbouring Mozambique and said it was tantamount to a coup d'etat.
Andry Rajoelina, who grabbed power himself in a March coup, told Reuters he had told the military about the situation and would take the necessary measures. He did not elaborate.
"The resolution signed by the three former presidents in Maputo is aimed at isolating Rajoelina," he told Reuters. "In my mind it amounts to a coup d'etat," he said. >>>>>
