Ravalomanana receives French approval

Analysts on Thursday said it was only a matter of time before Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana was fully in control of the Indian Ocean island following the signing of bilateral agreements with French officials on Wednesday. After months of seeking French recognition for his government, the diplomatic scales were tipped in Ravalomanana's favour after a meeting with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin in the capital, Antananarivo. A communiqué issued by the French embassy detailing four aid agreements signed by de Villepin and Ravalomanana's administration, refered to Ravalomanana as the "President of the Republic". "The first of these projects concerns the development of Antananarivo, a project which the President of the Republic, in his former capacity as mayor of the capital, has always shown great interest," the communique said. Both Ravalomanana and former president Didier Ratsiraka have been vying for the presidency since the disputed 16 December elections. The stalemate deteriorated into military clashes between the two camps along the east coast and in the north of the country. The meeting with the French official came a day after troops loyal to Ravalomanana moved a step closer to military victory when they captured the northern port city of Antsiranana, one of the last remaining strongholds of Ratsiraka. Only the eastern province of Tamatave remains under Ratsiraka's control. France has until now been hesitant to recognise Ravalomanana as the legitimate leader of the island of 16 million people. Political analyst at the University of Madagascar, Didier Ramakavelo, told IRIN: "French recognition is a meaningful show of support for Ravalomanana. There can be no doubt now that he will rule over a united Madagascar in the very near future." French support for the new administration is significant as the country is a major trading partner and important source of aid. The endorsement, observers say, will help to rebuild the country's economy which has been battered by the ongoing political crisis. The United States, Germany, Japan and Australia have recently recognised Ravalomanana's government. The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) has yet to give its nod of approval. In a meeting in Ethiopia last month, the OAU refused to recognise either of the two political rivals as the legitimate leader of the island and reiterated their call for fresh elections. Whether African leaders will rethink their position remains to be seen. However, fresh elections were "out of the question now," a French diplomat in Antananarivo told IRIN. "Why would the frontrunner [Ravalomanana] want to start the race again?" Ramakavelo asked. Ravalomanana reshuffled his government on Wednesday to appoint two ministers from Ratsiraka's AREMA party. The two appointments came after the party's secretary-general defected to the Ravalomanana camp. Aid agencies in the capital, Antananarivo, told IRIN that the overall situation was calm. "Fuel can now be purchased from gas stations and the prices have gone down," UN Development Programme Representative, Adama Guindo, said. Roadblocks placed around the capital by Ratsiraka loyalists cut off fuel supplies to Antananarivo. Commentators will now be watching whether the self-made millionaire will deliver on his promises to lift the eighth poorest country in the world out of poverty.