OAU delegation arrives in capital

The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) is hoping to get Madagascan leaders back to the negotiating table this week to resolve the deepening political crisis engulfing the Indian Ocean island state.

The delegation from the OAU, led by former Cape Verde president Antonio Mascarenhas Moteiro, arrived in the capital Antananarivo on Wednesday and was expected to meet Ratsiraka, who has been in power for most of the past 23 years.

They were then scheduled to hold talks with Ravalomanana, the opposition leader who has declared himself president and set up his own government in the capital. He insists he won the 16 December poll outright, but according to official results, he did not and a run-off is still scheduled for later this month

Last month the OAU successfully brokered talks between President Didier Ratsiraka and opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana. Both candidates agreed to work towards restoring order and reaching a settlement over the disputed presidency.

However, two weeks after the OAU departed, negotiations collapsed. Since then the country has seen an increase in unrest, the imposition of martial law and the setting up of rival capitals by the leaders.

On Tuesday five of the country's six regional governors named Toamasina, an eastern port city and Ratsiraka's birthplace, as the state capital.

Earlier, on Saturday, the OAU's Central Organ for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution called on Ravalomanana to return immediately to negotiations initiated by the OAU. Neither the OAU nor the international community has recognised Ravalomanana's claim to the presidency.

According to OAU and UN policy, contested elections should be reviewed and a re-election called if initial balloting is proved to have been irregular. Alternately, as in Madagascar, a run-off election can be held.