The leader of Madagascar’s opposition says there is no need for the referendum proposed by the president to settle their political dispute.
Andry Rajoelina said in a radio address broadcast on Monday that the people have already made clear they want President Marc Ravalomanana to step down.
Ravalomanana has been increasingly isolated and elements of the army have said they no longer take orders from him. But the president on Monday reiterated that he would not resign.
Rajoelina accuses Ravalomanana of misspending public funds and undermining democracy.
Over the weekend Rajoelina declared himself president of a transitional government and promised new presidential elections within two years.
Meanwhile earlier on Monday two explosions were heard near the presidential palace, but there was no indication they represented an attack by the opposition or army on Ravalomanana.
”There were two loud explosions at around 3am, but I don’t know where they came from. They were strong enough to shake the house,” said local resident Solanje Rasoamanana.
A presidential aide said the explosions, which took place about 1,6km from the palace, were an attempt to scare Ravalomanana.
”This was nothing more than an attempt to intimidate,” said a statement on Radio Mada, owned by the president. ”A vigilante group nearby saw five 4x4s leave with masked men inside.”
A political crisis since the start of 2009 has sent Madagascar’s economy into a tailspin, and caused unrest that has killed at least 135 people.
A spokesperson for the army, which has leaned away from Ravalomanana but not definitively allied with Rajoelina, said the blasts had nothing to do with them. — Reuters, Sapa-AP