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Madagascar's armed forces on maximum alert

ALAIN ILONIANINA | ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR - Jun 12 2009 16:08

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Madagascar's armed forces are on maximum alert, days after African economic bloc Comesa declared that military intervention to end the island's political crisis remained an option, the government said on Friday.

Armed Forces Minister Noel Rakotonandrasana told Reuters that Comesa's stance, which has drawn criticism from both France and the United Nations, had to be taken seriously.

In the centre of the capital, security forces fired tear gas at supporters of ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana who were gathering ahead of a rally, as the international community urged the country's feuding political parties to agree on the terms of a consensus government.

"In the end, that [military intervention] could become a reality. We are on maximum alert to guarantee the security of Madagascar's territory," said Rakotonandrasana.

All measures had been taken, including the surveillance of the world's fourth largest island's coastline, he said.

Comesa's 19 members said on Monday it was imperative to restore constitutional order on the Indian Ocean island and refused to rule out an armed intervention.

France reacted, saying political dialogue should be pursued, while the UN envoy Tiebile Drame -- who is mediating faltering political talks -- called the declaration unhelpful.

Madagascar has been in political limbo since new president Andry Rajoelina overthrew Ravalomanana with the support of dissident troops in March.

Tear gas
The return of troops to the streets of Antananarivo on Friday for the first time in more than a month triggered fears the crisis -- which has stunted economic growth and alarmed foreign investors -- could once again degenerate into violence.

CONTINUES BELOW

Military personnel, who sent street vendors scrambling to dismantle their stalls, said Ravalomanana's backers had no permission to hold a public demonstration on Friday afternoon following a peaceful public prayer session a day earlier.

"We don't know what is normal anymore. We're not insulting anyone, we're just trying to express our frustrations and sing prayers," said mother-of-two Sylvie outside the capital's Democracy Square.

"The soldiers should be here to protect us, not scare us."

Former DJ Rajoelina has established an interim government, but African nations and foreign leaders have widely refused to recognise his leadership. Ravalomanana, exiled in South Africa, says he remains the legitimate head of state.

Multiparty talks mediated by the African Union (AU) and United Nations to create a consensus government have stalled over demands for political amnesty.

It was unclear whether Ravalomanana's partisans would proceed with a planned rally on Saturday. -- Reuters

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Madagascar's armed forces on maximum alert

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