Talks due to start on 12 March to resolve Madagascar's political crisis have been postponed, and the US ambassador has warned that the country risks sliding into civil war as the security situation becomes increasingly uncertain.
"The talks today are cancelled, but they will take place at a later date. There is no alternative to national dialogue," the UN Envoy, Tiebile Drame, told IRIN. "Unfortunately, we have met with some last-minute difficulties and we are addressing these."
A source close to opposition leader Andry Rajoelina told IRIN: "We do not feel we can negotiate under current conditions." The aide repeated calls for a transitional government to be installed in Madagascar, and that President Marc Ravalomanana should stand down.
No new date has been set for the talks, billed as a National Consultative Conference organized by Madagascar's influential Council of Christian Churches (FFKM) and the UN. The discussions were set to take place over three days and had been endorsed by the president.
The decision to delay negotiations came after the US ambassador to Madagascar, Niels Marquardt, warned on national television: "I note with a great deal of concern and a great deal of sadness that Madagascar is nearly on the verge of civil war."
He went on to praise steps taken by Ravalomanana to meet the conditions called for by the opposition movement: "For instance, the equal access to RNM and TVM [Madagascar's state-owned radio and television stations], which should start today, and restoring Radio Viva [Rajoelina's radio station] so that they can communicate."
Donor warning
Meanwhile, the military installed a new army chief on 11 March. Colonel Andre Andriarijaoana, who is linked to a rebellion in the army, has replaced the former chief of staff, Edmond Rasolofomahandry.
Rasolofomahandry had earlier issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the politicians to find a solution to the crisis or the army would step in. His removal by soldiers who said they no longer supported the president has added to a growing sense of uncertainty on the streets of the capital, Antananarivo.
In an official statement, foreign diplomats and other members of the international community said non-democratic alternatives to ending the crisis were not acceptable: "These would have grave negative consequences on relations between Madagascar and the rest of the world, and on our capacity to help support development in the country."
Under several treaties signed with donor countries, failure to resolve the crisis through constitutional processes could lead to the suspension of foreign aid.
"This is not automatic but it is highly likely," Jean Claude Boidin, head of the European Union's delegation in Madagascar, told IRIN. "Appropriate measures will be taken."
Crowds gathering for an opposition rally in the centre of Antananarivo continued to pledge their support for Rajoelina, the former mayor of the capital. "In my opinion, a transitional government is the best solution now," said one man. "That way we would avoid a coup."
Crowds have also gathered in support of the government for the past two days.
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"The talks today are cancelled, but they will take place at a later date. There is no alternative to national dialogue," the UN Envoy, Tiebile Drame, told IRIN. "Unfortunately, we have met with some last-minute difficulties and we are addressing these."
A source close to opposition leader Andry Rajoelina told IRIN: "We do not feel we can negotiate under current conditions." The aide repeated calls for a transitional government to be installed in Madagascar, and that President Marc Ravalomanana should stand down.
No new date has been set for the talks, billed as a National Consultative Conference organized by Madagascar's influential Council of Christian Churches (FFKM) and the UN. The discussions were set to take place over three days and had been endorsed by the president.
The decision to delay negotiations came after the US ambassador to Madagascar, Niels Marquardt, warned on national television: "I note with a great deal of concern and a great deal of sadness that Madagascar is nearly on the verge of civil war."
 I note with a great deal of concern and a great deal of sadness that Madagascar is nearly on the verge of civil war |
Donor warning
Meanwhile, the military installed a new army chief on 11 March. Colonel Andre Andriarijaoana, who is linked to a rebellion in the army, has replaced the former chief of staff, Edmond Rasolofomahandry.
Rasolofomahandry had earlier issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the politicians to find a solution to the crisis or the army would step in. His removal by soldiers who said they no longer supported the president has added to a growing sense of uncertainty on the streets of the capital, Antananarivo.
In an official statement, foreign diplomats and other members of the international community said non-democratic alternatives to ending the crisis were not acceptable: "These would have grave negative consequences on relations between Madagascar and the rest of the world, and on our capacity to help support development in the country."
Under several treaties signed with donor countries, failure to resolve the crisis through constitutional processes could lead to the suspension of foreign aid.
"This is not automatic but it is highly likely," Jean Claude Boidin, head of the European Union's delegation in Madagascar, told IRIN. "Appropriate measures will be taken."
Crowds gathering for an opposition rally in the centre of Antananarivo continued to pledge their support for Rajoelina, the former mayor of the capital. "In my opinion, a transitional government is the best solution now," said one man. "That way we would avoid a coup."
Crowds have also gathered in support of the government for the past two days.
cc/oa/he
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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