/ 29 October 2011

Premier dispute threatens Madagascar unity efforts

Premier Dispute Threatens Madagascar Unity Efforts

A dispute over who should be prime minister threatens to derail efforts to resolve Madagascar’s political crisis, more than two years after a coup.

Coup leader Andry Rajoelina Friday named Omer Beriziky prime minister of a proposed unity government without the consent of the opposition.

Beriziky had been proposed by Albert Zafy, who was president of Madagascar in the early 1990s.

The party of Marc Ravalomanana — the president ousted by Rajoelina in 2009 — says it did not agree with the choice, as required under an agreement mediated by South Africa and other neighbours.

Mamy Raktvelo, speaking for Ravalomanana who is in exile in South Africa, said his party may now pull out of negotiations aimed at restoring democracy in Madagascar. — Sapa-AP