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| Madagascar's president Marc Ravalomanana resigns |
| Antananarivo, 17.03.2009 |
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| Leader confirms his resignation and hands over power to the military, after troops seized offices
Christina Corbett in Antananarivo and Chris McGreal guardian.co.uk,
history Marc Ravalomanana has resigned as Madagascar's president and handed over power to the military a day after soldiers stormed his offices in the capital.
Ravalomanana has signed a document confirming his resignation, according to a statement issued by his office.
The statement said full powers were to be given to a military authority headed by the most senior officer of all forces. But it was not immediately clear who would be running the country as the opposition, led by Andry Rajoelina, has already said it has put in place a transitional government and taken over major ministries.
Ravalomanana, who won power seven years ago, was holed up at the presidential palace, about eight miles outside the capital, when troops seized his offices. He initially vowed to fight to the end and discussed military support with the United Nations and African states. But he appears to have bowed to the inevitable after the seizure of his offices following a declaration by the army chief of staff, Colonel Andre Ndriarijaona, that his forces had thrown their support behind Rajoelina. The opposition leader moved in to the presidential offices today and several cabinet ministers resigned.
Ndiarijaona said the military was almost completely behind Rajoelina, who at the weekend declared he had taken power and ordered Ravalomanana's arrest following weeks of political confrontation that has left more than 100 people dead.
"We are there for the Malagasy people. If Andry Rajoelina can resolve the problem, we are behind him," said Ndriarijaona, who replaced the previous army chief of staff after last week's mutiny. "I would say 99% of the forces are behind him."
However, there are signs the army is divided and it is not clear if a power struggle is in the making between elements of the military hostile to Rajoelina and his new administration.
Ravalomanana may have set up a confrontation by giving power to a military board, to be led by Admiral Hyppolite Ramaroson, whose loyalties are not immediately clear.
The African Union commission chairman, Jean Ping, today called on the army not to hand over to the opposition, saying this would be "unconstitutional", but instead to retain power.
The ousted president earlier also described demands for him to relinquish power as unconstitutional and accused Rajoelina's movement of using "fear and repression to survive".
Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former disc jockey who moved against the government after he was sacked as the capital's mayor in February, announced the creation of a two-year interim government before new elections are held.
Ravalomanana had proposed a referendum on his rule after public outrage over a massacre of 28 civilian protesters when the army was ordered to open fire on an anti-government demonstration in February. But the opposition rejected the referendum and issued a warrant for Ravalomanana's arrest for allegedly violating the constitution, including hiring mercenaries to prop up his government.
"The people are thirsty for change and that's why we won't have a referendum and will put our transitional government in place," said Rajoelina.
Last week the US ambassador to Madagascar, Niels Marquardt, warned the country was on the verge of civil war after the former army chief, Edmond Rasolofomahandry, and the defence minister, Vice-Admiral Mamy Ranaivoniarivo, were forced from office by junior officers.
As Antananarivo's mayor, Rajoelina organised protests against rising food prices and government graft. He brought tens of thousands of people onto the streets, resulting in violent confrontations with government forces. At one point he sought shelter in the embassy of the former colonial power, France, prompting accusations that Paris was backing his attempt to topple the government.
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![Foto : Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana
Marc Ravalomanana (born December 12, 1949 in Imerinkasinina[1][2]) is a Malagasy politician who was the President of Madagascar from 6 May 2002 to 17 March 2009. A member of the Merina ethnic group,[1] Ravalomanana served as Mayor of Antananarivo before becoming President in 2002. He took office as President amidst a dispute over the results of the December 2001 presidential election in which he successfully pressed his claim to have won a majority in the first round. He was re-elected in December 2006, again with a majority in the first round.In the municipal elections held on November 14, 1999, Ravalomanana was elected as mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, receiving 45% of the vote[2] and defeating former Prime Minister Guy Willy Razanamasy.[3] As mayor he was credited with successfully cleaning up the capital.[1][4] He announced on August 5, 2001 that he would run for president in the election to be held later that year on December 16;[5][6] two months later, polls showed him to be ahead of the incumbent president, Didier Ratsiraka. Following the election, official results put Ravalomanana in first place, with 46%, against Ratsiraka's 40%; without a majority, a run-off would be required between the two. Ravalomanana, however, claimed to have won a majority in the first round, and he refused to participate in a run-off, instead demanding that the High Constitutional Court review the votes. Ratsiraka's supporters then blockaded the capital, which Ravalomanana's supporters controlled. Ravalomanana declared himself president on February 22, 2002. After a recount, on April 29, 2002 the High Constitutional Court pronounced Ravalomanana the winner of the election, and he was sworn in for a second time on May 6. The presidency remained disputed, however, until fighting forced Ratsiraka to flee into exile on July 5, 2002, after he had lost control of most of the country's provinces.[6]
Ravalomanana is the founder of Tiako I Madagasikara, which is now the ruling party, although he is not currently a member because, as President, he was barred from membership in a political party.[7]
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