SADC Madagascar Mediators Propose Rajoelina Stays Until Vote

Feb. 1 (Bloomberg) -- South African Development Community mediators in Madagascar proposed Andry Rajoelina be recognized as president of an interim government until elections this year, almost two years after he seized power with the help of the army.

The proposal is made in a document given to political parties in the Indian Ocean island nation today, said Mamy Rakotoarivelo, acting head of the TIM opposition party of former President Marc Ravalomanana. This follows a monthlong visit by SADC mediators to the country.

“For us this is a legitimization of the coup d’etat,” Rakotoarivelo said by phone from the capital, Antananarivo. “We are giving all the power to Andry Rajoelina, who was never elected, and making him President.”

SADC, which groups 15 southern African countries, suspended Madagascar in 2009 after Rajoelina, then the mayor of Antananarivo, ousted Ravalomanana with the help of the military. The African Union also suspended the country and donors, which financed about 70 percent of government spending, stopped sending aid, leaving it in a political and economic crisis. Madagascar, with a $9 billion economy, is the world’s largest vanilla grower, while oil and mineral wealth have also attracted investor interest.

The southern African body had wanted Rajoelina to step down as president and for new elections to be held.

The new proposal from the mediators recommends that Rajoelina be allowed to name ministers, including the Prime Minister, Rakotoarivelo said.

Elections

While amnesty should be given to all “events between 2002 and 2009” Ravalomanana, who has been in exile in South Africa, shouldn’t return “until the establishment of a political climate and favorable security,” according to the document, obtained by Bloomberg News. Political parties that agree to the interim government can nominate members for government and legislative positions.

The proposals by Leonardo Simao, head of the delegation of SADC mediators, was sent to political parties to get their approval, Hyppolite Ramaroson, the minister of foreign affairs, said by phone.

“It has been given to all the political parties, so it is up to them whether they sign,” he said. “The government will sign.”

The document proposes that all parties agree to presidential and legislative elections between May 1 and Nov. 30, after an evaluation by the United Nations.

The U.S. Embassy in Madagascar confirmed it had received the document.

“We have been strong proponents in returning Madagascar to a democratic and constitutional process, and stand ready to continue that effort,” Brett Bruen, communications adviser at the embassy, said by phone from Antananarivo. “We are currently reviewing the document and will comment on its recommendations for addressing the crisis in Madagascar as soon as possible.”

SADC mediators and officials couldn’t be reached for comment. Simao is due to meet with Rakotoarivelo tomorrow to discuss the proposals, the opposition leader said.

--Editors: Gordon Bell, Philip Sanders.


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