Army Issues Ultimatum To Madagascar
President
Madagascar's
army has given President Andry Rajoelina until the end of April
to offer an acceptable way out of the political crisis on the
Indian Ocean Island.
A report says the deadline was issued at a meeting between
Rajoelina and the military leadership.
The parties reached an agreement to wait until the end of the
month after a discussion session, during which the army bosses
asked Rajoelina to present a road map in forty-eight hours.
A source close to the presidency confirmed the timetable, but
said details were not given of what the army would do if
Rajoelina failed to meet the deadline.
Political analysts say there has been growing unease in some
quarters of the government and military at Rajoelina's handling
of the thirteen-month crisis, which has unnerved major foreign
investors exploiting the island's oil and mineral resources.
The demands
Army Chief General, Andre Ndriarijoana Ndriarijoana, who backed
Rajoelina's ouster of former President Marc Ravalomanana in
March last year, also demanded proof of how Rajoelina's
administration would pay public sector salaries and finance
legislative and presidential elections due later this year.
The army demanded Rajoelina offer a solution that would be
acceptable to foreign donors who have suspended aid worth
hundreds of millions of dollars.
REUTERS/Williams/Yinka
