Madagascar President promises referendum

MADAGASCAR: Madagascar’s embattled president has promised to hold a national referendum in an effort to resolve a political feud between him and a rival who has proclaimed himself the leader of this tropical island nation.

President Marc Ravalomanana’s nationally televised announcement on Sunday followed relentless pressure from opposition leader Andry Rajoelina. On Saturday, Rajoelina declared himself president, appointed a prime minister and “transition government,” and ordered his rival to step down.

Madagascar’s army said Sunday that it wants to stay out of the political crisis and that its top priority is to restore order. However, the new self-declared chief of the armed forces is believed to be pro-Rajoelina.

Appearing at an open-air Sunday service attended by 5,000 supporters outside the presidential palace, Ravalomanana defied demands for him to quit.

“I will never resign,” he said. Several thousand opposition supporters attended another church service in the downtown square that has become the focal point for anti-government demonstrations.

Ravalomanana later said he would organize a referendum to resolve the crisis.

“Power belongs to the people and it’s only fair to organize a referendum,” the president said in his address. He appealed to the United Nations and the international community to support him, and said the vote would be “free and transparent.”

Although Ravalomanana has lost most of his power base at home, he still enjoys international legitimacy as the nation’s elected president. The African Union said late Saturday that it was concerned by the escalation of tensions and appealed to the rivals to find a negotiated solution. Diplomats - mainly from Western donor countries - last week warned that aid to Madagascar was in jeopardy.

Antananarivo, Monday, AP