Madagascar Mediation Talks Kick Off

Talks to restore constitutional order in Madagascar have taken off in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa but the two rival leaders President Andry Rajoelina and ousted President Mark Ravalomanana failed to shake hands ceremoniously.

The mediation talks kicked off by the African Union (AU) chairman Jean Ping urging the two leaders to put their differences aside, and solve the row for the sake of the Malagasy people being held hostage by the stalemate.

Former President Albert Zafy expressed regrets for the ‘irresponsible behavior’ of the Malagasy leaders and appreciated all the efforts made to see the transitional government is in place.

Also in attendance were former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano who saw the signing of a peace agreement earlier on and two former state leaders, Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy.

Prior to the talks both rival leaders had sent distressing messages to their supporters. Rajoelina said that he won’t make any agreement on top of the previous ones where as hard lined Ravalomanana said he would not negotiate till Rajoelina steps down.

The self-proclaimed President Rajoelina toppled Ravalomanana from power in March over claims of corruption in a military-backed coup with weeks of street protests that claimed 170 lives. [ER].