Madagascar Rivals Reach Power Deal to Save EU Aid

Ousted Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana has agreed to cooperate with the country’s current leader Andry Rajoelina in a transition government so that Madagascar can secure a billion dollar aid offer from the European Union.

Power-sharing talks held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the backing of the African Union (AU), will now see Rajoelina retain his position as transitional leader of Madagascar, with Ravalomanana and two other party leaders acting as his advisory council.

The new deal beats an EU deadline for the leaders to establish a transitional unity government ahead of fresh elections. Failure to meet that deadline would have cost the country the billion dollar aid pledge.

Reports say Rajoelina had at some point threatened to walk out on the talks but was calmed down by the mediator, former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano.

Madagascar’s crisis began when President Ravalomanana was hounded out of power last march following weeks of street protests led by Rajoelina and backed by the military, which left nearly 170 people dead. [ER]