Madagascar’s ousted president believes the coup that toppled him shows what can happen when an impoverished country’s soldiers are neglected, and said in an interview he would focus on building military discipline if he were restored to power.
Marc Ravalomanana also said he hoped his country’s neighbours would ensure Madagascar was remembered as a different kind of example — of the region’s determination not to let Africa’s fitful
progress toward democracy be reversed.
”The African countries must respect democracy and restore the rule of law,” he told the Associated Press on Thursday in Johannesburg, where he took shelter after being ousted in March.
”It’s not good for our continent to have so many coups.”
Andry Rajoelina, a former disc jockey and mayor of Madagascar’s capital, led a campaign of street protests that started last year and, with the military’s help, culminated with Ravalomanana’s ouster.
But that did not end a struggle for power that has meant months of violence and volatility on the Indian Ocean island of the south-eastern coast of Africa.
African and Western nations have called Rajoelina’s takeover a coup. The African Union and the Southern African Development Community have suspended Madagascar’s membership. The US has cut off all non-humanitarian aid.
Ravalomanana said he was counting on the Southern African Development Community, led by South Africa, to pressure Rajoelina to open negotiations and allow for his return, perhaps as soon as in a ”few weeks.”
Ravalomanana said the negotiations should be aimed at holding either early elections or a referendum to determine whether the people of Madagascar wanted him to complete a term scheduled to end in 2012.
”I want to go back to Madagascar,” he said. ”I’m preparing to return as soon as possible to my country.”
Ravalomanana said he was not in exile, though he left his island nation at gunpoint and has seen his supporters arrested since his departure. Since his ouster, Madagascar police and supporters of Ravalomanana have clashed in deadly running street battles, reminiscent of the earlier, anti-Ravalomanana protests led by Rajoelina that had ended in violence.
While Rajoelina heads what he calls a transitional government, Ravalomanana blames the coup on a small group of junior officers.
Ravalomanana said the officers were disgruntled over poor pay and easily swayed by bribes.
”I didn’t spend a lot of money on the military,” he said, saying he concentrated instead on education and economic development.
”I’m a human being. I’m not perfect,” he said, saying that in the future he would make a priority of strengthening military discipline and ensuring loyal soldiers were properly equipped.
In Madagascar on Wednesday, Rajoelina said he would not run for president in promised elections — but only if other former leaders also sit out.
Speaking at a news conference, Rajoelina said UN mediators had proposed that no one who has served as head of state should run in elections organised by a transitional government.
”I said I would accept this agreement if all the former chiefs of state were ready to respect it,” said Rajoelina, the former mayor of Antananarivo whose military-backed regime has been condemned by Madagascar’s neighbours and Western powers. ”The former heads of state don’t agree. And no decision can be made if everyone doesn’t agree.”
In Johannesburg on Thursday, Ravalomanana called the idea of not running ”ridiculous.” He scoffed at Rajoelina’s pledge, pointing out that at 34, his rival was six years too young to run for president according to the country’s Constitution.
”Anyone who is legally eligible to run for president should be allowed to do so,” said Ravalomanana, who is 59.
Earlier on Wednesday, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Frederic Desagneaux said Rajoelina had assured diplomats he would not seek the presidency. Desagneaux said France was waiting for Rajoelina to confirm his decision publicly, and called for elections to be held as soon as possible.
Rajoelina has promised new elections within two years, after a new Constitution is adopted, new electoral laws are introduced and an independent electoral commission is installed.
Infighting has been a hallmark of politics in Madagascar, famous for its rare wildlife and ecotourism, and the inspiration for two animated films of the same name.
Rajoelina accused Ravalomanana, a wealthy businessman, of misuse of office and being blind to the poverty of his people.
Ravalomanana says his rival is a populist and rabble-rouser with little genuine interest in democracy.
On Thursday, Ravalomanana denied accusations he was corrupt, and said his fight against corruption had helped his country gain international respect and attract much-needed investment.
He said that was why the people of Madagascar trust him and ”want me back”. – Sapa-AP