Ravalomanana moves to take third province

Madagascar's former president Didier Ratisraka's grip on the country's provinces was slipping on Thursday as news reports said that troops loyal to President Marc Ravalomanana had seized a third province from his rival.

Sources in the capital, Antananarivo, confirmed that pro-Ravalomanana forces had removed the blockade on the Betsiboka River bridge - half way to the north western province of Mahajanga - set up nearly three months ago by backers of Ratsiraka to cut off the flow of vital supplies to Ravalomanana's stronghold.

The latest development is seen as a significant victory for the newly inaugurated president as the capture of the bridge could open a fuel supply line to the besieged capital.

Local media said that with the bridge in their possession, Ravalomanana's troops marched to the Ratsiraka-controlled port city of Mahajanga, about 400 km north of the capital. Reports said the militia manning the bridge fled without a fight.

But Ratsiraka's advisor Jose Andrianoelison told IRIN: "We cannot confirm if Mahajanga has fallen. It would be a surprise since Ratsiraka has much support in this region of the country. There would have been huge protests in the streets if this was the case, however, we have not received any information."

Mahajanga's Provincial Governor Etienne Razafindehibe, an erstwhile Ratsiraka supporter, had reportedly left his official residence in the city on Thursday, according to daily newspaper, L'Express.

"I cannot assume my responsibilities in these conditions," Razafindehibe told L'Express.

"I will not have any deaths on my conscience. I would prefer to step down."

Meanwhile, fighting continued Thursday on the premier resort island of Nosy-be, however, no injuries or deaths have been confirmed.

Political analyst at the University of Madagascar, Didier Ramakavelo, told IRIN: "These are the signs of a regime at the end of its reign. It's regrettable that it had to end like this. I wouldn't, however, put it past Ratsiraka's supporters to put up a fight to defend Tamatave."

After Ravalomanana declared himself president in February, Ratsiraka set up a rival capital in Tamatave, where he has most of his support.

Ramakavelo added: "This may not be what the world may consider a full-scale war but for Madagascar these outbursts of clashes are huge. Both sides should seriously consider a political solution to the escalating violence."

The latest confrontation followed the failure of last weekend's Dakar negotiations, which failed to find a resolution to a political conflict that has plunged the Indian Ocean island into an economic crisis.

Under the Dakar plan, an interim government headed by Ravalomanana would govern until legislative elections can be held before the end of the year or by May 2003 at the latest.

Ravalomanana declared that he would not accept the peace plan, while Ratsiraka said he would counter attack militarily, reports said.

Andrianoelison said: "It seems that there is a political deadlock. We are hoping to take our lead from the OAU [Organisation of African Unity] summit in South Africa at the end of June. If African leaders present us with a ruling on the Malagasy situation we will have to adhere to it ... both sides must take into account the donors' opinions. It is about who signs the cheque."

As the power struggle continues into its sixth month, an NGO has released an assessment report after a trip to the village of Sahambala, some 70 km north-west of Tamatave.

Last month the country had the added misfortune of unseasonable storms which have battered the island, leaving thousands without electricity and fresh water. Tamatave was the hardest hit by the storms.

MedAir said: "Normal access to Sahambala is by road from Tamatave (about 50 km of tarmac on a secondary road and 15 km on unpaved roads). Now we were able to cover only 6 km out of Tamatave by vehicle as the road near the river had slid into the water, blocking passage to vehicles.

"Apart from several medium-sized landslides the going was good until the bridge at Nosy-be. This bridge (spannning over 50 metres) has been torn from its foundations and was swept into the river."

The report added that several houses and huts had been swept away by the water leaving only the foundations.

"The damage to houses and property is substantial, many shops and people have lost much of their belongings. Most of the low-lying rice fields have been completely destroyed," the report said.

The NGO appealed for drinking water, soap and tools to clear the roads.

Madagascar has been in political chaos since the 16 December presidential elections, which pitted the 51-year-old Ravalomanana, mayor of Antananarivo, against the 67-year-old Ratsiraka, the country's former military ruler from 1975 to 1993, who returned to power in a 1996 vote.

Ravalomanana was sworn in as president in May after a recount, but Ratsiraka rejected the result.

Nearly 40 people have died in political violence since the election, civil rights officials say.