Addis Ababa - Madagascar's top four political figures -
including ousted President Marc Ravalomanana - on Saturday signed
an agreement on sharing power ahead of elections next year, an AFP
journalist witnessed.
Andry Rajoelina, the self-proclaimed president of the Indian Ocean
island nation who took power in March, Ravalomanana, and former
Presidents Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy each put their names to
the accord.
Hours earlier it was announced the four had reached a consensus
that would see Rajoelina confirmed as the transitional president
but with two "co-presidents" from other political
movements.
Reached an accord
"The Madagascan leaders have managed to reach an accord on
putting in place a transitional charter," said UN-appointed
mediator Tiebile Drame.
"They agreed on the leadership of transitional institutions,
including the presidency, and on power sharing in the government
and other institutions," he said.
Rajoelina, a 35-year-old former disc jockey, toppled Ravalomanana
with the army's backing on March 17 but has since failed to win
the recognition of the international community.
The coup came as a result of months of sometimes violent
demonstrations that left the island in diplomatic and institutional
limbo, with parallel administrations claiming legitimacy.
Drame said there would be "a consensual president, two
consensual co-presidents, a consensus prime minister and a national
unity government".
Sparred over details
The four leaders, who have been meeting in the Ethiopian capital
since Tuesday, agreed in August to a 15-month transition period but
had since sparred over the details of power-sharing.
Speaking after the agreement was announced, Ravalomanana told
reporters he hoped the country could now move forward.
"We'll do our best to improve the situation in Madagascar
and work together... I'm confident it will work," he
said.
He added: "The relation (between myself and Rajoelina) is
getting better, it is improving every day. The only way to solve
the problem in Madagascar is to talk and I'm glad he
(Rajoelina) understood."
"I will help him, I have a son like him," he said.
Spirit of consensus
AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra told AFP the
agreement symbolised "the spirit of consensus, the willingness
of the Madagascan parties to work together during the
transition".
"This acceptance has marked the turning point in the
negotiations in order to overcome this stalemate," he
said.
Earlier, Rajoelina agreed to rejoin the crisis talks after
threatening to pull out amid bickering.
Rajoelina went back into the talks after several hours of
discussions with African Union mediators, who prolonged the
negotiations by a day in order to try to achieve a
breakthrough.
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