Madagascar army refuses political role

The armed forces in Madagascar on Friday rejected a call from the opposition to head a unity government and said politicians should resolve the crisis on the Indian Ocean island. The country's political powerbrokers remain deadlocked on who should lead a consensus government which would be given the task of restoring constitutional order after months of political instability.
In a statement, the head of the military police, General Claude Ravalomanana, said the armed forces had no role to play in politics and would not risk creating internal rifts. "We are categorically against the establishment of a military government," he told several hundred officers.
"We urge the politicians to find a solution so that the transition can establish a fourth republic." Madagascar's three opposition movements on Thursday called on the military to occupy the posts of president, vice-president and prime minister.
It was a dissident faction of the army that helped Andry Rajoelina topple former leader Marc Ravalomanana in March following weeks of deadly street protests. The international community widely condemned Rajoelina's seizure of power and left the continent's youngest incumbent floundering in diplomatic isolation. Last month, Madagascar's leaders agreed in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, to a power-sharing deal but have since failed to agree on the top posts.
A senior army officer said a military intervention would contravene the deal which paved the way for presidential elections by late 2010. "There is nothing in the Maputo charter that says the military should designate whoever it may be," General Ranto Rabarisoa, vice-president of the National Council on Military Defence, told reporters.
"We are not a political movement. It is the duty of the armed forces to maintain security and protect the people." Late on Thursday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Madagascar's leaders to stick to the Maputo accord and urged calm on the world's fourth largest island. "There is no alternative to a political agreement and a consensual transition," Ban said in a statement.
Rajoelina has up to now remained adamant that his party retains the presidency and the prime minister's office. Ravalomanana has rejected outright the former DJ's nomination. Former president Albert Zafy, who heads one of the opposition delegations, said on Thursday an agreement between the rivals looked unlikely.
"This (military role) for us is the best way to resolving the crisis. We could have a joint military-civilian government," said Zafy. Rajoelina, who is expected to tell mediators on Friday whether he will concede the prime minister's office, has not responded to the idea. Ban said the United Nations was "ready to support the implementation of the Maputo agreements and stand by the Malagasy people as the country returns to normalcy".