Wed, March 18, 2009
ANTANANARIVO, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The Madagascan army said Tuesday it has urged rival political leaders to end the ongoing crisis in the country within 72 hours, according to agencies' reports.
The following are key facts about the political crisis in Madagascar.
Madagascar has been in political turmoil since last December, when President Marc Ravalomanana ordered the closure of the private television and radio station run by opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, for airing an interview with former President Didier Ratsiraka without permission.
Rajoelina, also the incumbent mayor of the capital city Antananarivo, then called for massive protests against what they called a dictatorship by the president and his handling of the national economy for the benefits of his own family.
While political tensions mounted in January, riots broke out in the capital and elsewhere across the island country, killing dozens of people.
On Jan. 31, Rajoelina declared that he had taken over power. However, Ravalomanana said he was still in charge and he sacked Rajoelina four days later. Rajoelina continued to call for his supporters to stage protests to press for the resignation of the president.
At a mass rally in the capital on Feb. 7, Rajoelina proclaimed himself president of Madagascar and announced the set-up of a transitional government.
He also appointed 43-year-old Zafitsimivalo Monja Roindefo as prime minister of the transitional government. Rajoelina then led nearly 20,000 supporters in a march on the presidential palace to "take over the power."
As the demonstrators were trying to break into the presidential palace, troops guarding the compound opened fire, leaving more than 300 people killed or wounded. The massive bloodshed worsened the political situation in Madagascar and Rajoelina vowed to fight on until the president resigned.
Rajoelina launched a take-over campaign on Feb. 16 and supporters took over four government ministries briefly before they were driven away by police. With the mediation of the Council of Christian Churches in Madagascar, Rajoelina and Ravalomanana have held three rounds of talks since Feb. 21 trying to find a peaceful settlement, but failed to reach any agreement.
Anti-government protests broke out again on March 2. The president sent troops and police onto the streets to restore order and security.
The opposition has held a series of protests since Monday and clashed with supporters of the government, leaving four people dead and dozens wounded, according to local media.
