L'Express de Madagascar (Antananarivo)
30 June 2009
Former president Marc Ravalomanana is in Libya for the African Union (AU) summit, reports L'Express de Madagascar of Antananarivo.
The newspaper says he intends presenting the Madagascan problem to heads of state, as a tug-of-war develops between the deposed president and the transitional government which replaced him.
A communique from an association of former heads of state says Ravalomanana is at the summit to indicate that he is willing to work with all parties in finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Madagascar.
Ravalomanana seems relentless, reports L'Express, in his effort to defend his political position despite the disappointment he received from the Southern African Development Community in Sandton, South Africa, recently, when the region's heads of state opposed his suggestion of military intervention, choosing instead to favour dialogue.
So once again the struggle between the two parties is taking place away from home.
According to the transitional administration's foreign minister, Ny Hasina Andriamanjato, Madagascar is suspended from all continental activities and no one can represent the country at international gatherings.
But he indicated that the transitional government will not sit with arms folded. Government representatives will lobby in the corridors at the summit.
And observers are waiting to see whether a recent visit by the head of the transitional government, Andry Rajoelina, to Tripoli to see the current AU chairman, President Muammar al-Gaddafi, will have any bearing on proceedings.
Translated and adapted from the French by Michael Tantoh
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I wonder the measure of expelling a member-state from union or organization cannot really help, because it punish the simple citizen rather those selfish leader. Look at the case of Zimbabwe, Madagascar, I wonder if Honduras may fall in the same boat. Another thing, the sovereignty of a country also faces a great question to such kind of trouble! Nevertheless, I hope the International Community will see really how hollow their help towards the poor and majority of population in those countries still in serious troubles!!!!