Malagasy Leaders to Meet For Negotiations over a Power Sharing Deal

Madagascar’s foe leaders are scheduled to meet again in an attempt to broker a power-sharing deal that will see restoration of constitutional order in the island state.

The African Union (AU) chaired meeting is to be held in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa from 3 to 5 November. All the four signatories- President Andry Rajoelina, ousted leader Mark Ravalomanana, and two former state men Albert Zafy and Didier Ratsiraka are expected to attend.

"At Addis Ababa we will have one sole objective-to build the structures of government and fill the key posts which remain vacant," African Union (AU) envoy to Madagascar Ablasse Ouedraogo told Reuters.

Former city mayor Andry Rajoelina ousted President Mark Ravalomanana from power in March in a military-backed coup following weeks of street protest wanting Ravalomanana to step down over allegations of corruption that left about 137 dead.

Ravalomanana now exiled in South Africa earlier this week in a telephone message to his supporters said that he would never accent any deal that legitimizes the 35-year old Rajoelina who seized power unconstitutionally.

Rajoelina retained power after an internationally accredited reshuffle of key cabinet posts that saw a little known university professor elected as Prime Minister leading to former Premier Monja Roindefo decline to step down. [ER]