Madagascar leader names army officer as prime minister
Monday, December 21, 2009
- 7 April 2011: At least fourteen dead after eating toxic fish in Madagascar
- 13 May 2010: Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina 'will not run in polls'
- 6 March 2010: Somali pirates seize tanker off coast of Madagascar
- 21 December 2009: Madagascar leader names army officer as prime minister
- 7 November 2009: Madagascar political rivals agree to unity government deal
Madagascar's leader, Andry Rajoelina, has named a high-ranking army officer as the country's new prime minister, and announced he is abandoning a power-sharing deal with the opposition.
Mr. Rajoelina's office announced Sunday that Colonel Camille Albert Vital would serve as the new prime minister, replacing Eugene Mangalaza, who was supposed to be prime minister under the deal. Previously he had been expected to make Cecile Manorohanta the new prime minister. He also abolished the posts of co-president.
In a nationally broadcast address, Colonel Vital said that organising elections and increasing security were his priorities. He called on the people of Madagascar, including political rivals, to work with his government.
Mr. Rajoelina took power in a coup last March. On Wednesday, he appeared on national television to announce that parliamentary elections would take place March 20 next year. He made no mention of presidential elections.
International mediators have brokered several power-sharing agreements in recent months, but all have been unsuccessful. The African Union and other regional bodies have refused to recognize Mr. Rajoelina's presidency.
[edit] Sources
- "Madagascar Leader Names Army Officer As Prime Minister" — VOA News, December 20, 2009
- "Madagascar leader Rajoelina scraps power-sharing deal" — BBC News Online, December 21, 2009
