Madagascar peace talks make progress on key sticking point: mediator



MAPUTO, Alexandra Lesieur - Madagascar's political rivals Saturday made a breakthrough on amnesty for ousted leader Marc Ravolamanana, a mediator said, amid hope that a transition pact will be inked soon at key peace talks here.
"I think we've made progress (on Ravolamanana's amnesty) and at this time one can say that there are no more major difficulties," said Edem Kodjo of the International Organisation of the Francophone (French-speaking countries).



Madagascar peace talks make progress on key sticking point: mediator
The shift was made at first-time direct talks between Ravalomanana and interim leader Andry Rajoelina, alongside former Madagascan presidents Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy, since the army handed Rajoelina power in March.
"We are about to reach the end of our work," said Ratsiraka.
A key issue still being discussed was the distribution of posts in a transitional authority, with leaders still to ink an accord outlining a blueprint for a transition to fresh presidential polls.
The issue of amnesty had bogged down talks, now in a fourth day, over a four-year jail term handed to Ravolamanana in absentia after he fled Madagascar following bloody riots which left 100 dead.
"He wanted the case against him annuled and it has been annuled," Kodjo told AFP, but said he could not return without all security conditions being assured.
On the table is a a summary of a transition charter which is the legal framework for the transition period, and over which all previous attempts to find a negotiated solution have floundered.
The internationally-backed talks are being led by former Mozambican leader Joaquim Chissano whose hand was sought after efforts by the African Union and United Nations were suspended in June.
Ravolamanana, living in exile in South Africa, was convicted in his absence of a "conflict of interest" in the purchase of a presidential airplane and sentenced to four years in prison in June.
African Union mediator Ablasse Ouedraogo said, after late night talks on Friday, that he was confident the talks would result in a roadmap for the transition, leading to elections in 15 months.
But Southern African Development Commmunity (SADC) executive secretary Tomaz Salomao cautioned that the vast Indian Ocean island faced old political troubles.
"When they came, they were separate, with profound, enormous differences. It would be extraordinary for 36 years of pain to be resolved in three days. Let's be cold, realistic and objective."
The island nation has become increasingly isolated since Rajoelina took power, with the international community pushing for a return to constitutional order and suspending the bulk of its aid to one of the world's poorest states.
The issue of amnesty for former president Ratsiraka was resolved on Thursday. He has been in exile in France since a succession crisis over the disputed results of a 2001 presidential election against Ravolamanana.
Ratsiraka was convicted in 2003 of misusing public funds and threatening state security. He was sentenced to 10 years of forced labour and five years in prison.
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Saturday, August 8th 2009
Alexandra Lesieur
           


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