Violence ahead of Madagascar talks

BBC News 17.04.2002

Further violence has flared in Madagascar as the island's rival leaders prepare for renewed mediation efforts to end the political crisis.
Three people including an army general were killed in the second city, Fianarantsoa, which has become a serious flashpoint in recent weeks.

The incumbent president, Didier Ratsiraka, and the self-declared president, Marc Ravalomanana, flew on Tuesday to Senegal for proposed peace talks.
The trouble began when Mr Ravalomanana claimed outright victory in last December's election, saying Mr Ratsiraka rigged the poll.

But Mr Ratsiraka says neither candidate won outright and there should be a run-off.

So far the conflict has claimed about 35 lives, and led to rival governments, two capitals and splits in the armed forces.

Hooded gunmen

In the latest upsurge of violence, an army general loyal to Mr Ratsiraka was shot dead in hospital where he was being treated for gunshot wounds.

Sources at the hospital said three hooded gunmen burst in and shot Raymond Randrianaivo seven times.

He had earlier been wounded in an exchange of gunfire between two groups of Ratsiraka supporters, who mistook each other for supporters of his rival. Earlier two women were killed by stray bullets.

Fianarantsoa is held by Ravalomanana supporters, but the provincial governor - who backs Mr Ratsiraka - is barricaded in his official residence and protected by armed guards.

At the weekend, five soldiers died and 18 others injured in a struggle for control of the city.

No breakthroughs

The two leaders have been invited to Dakar on the sidelines of an African development conference.

The Organisation of African Unity's Secretary General Amara Essy is working for a new dialogue, despite the failure of OAU missions to Madagascar in February and March.

Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade says he and other African leaders are ready to assist, but first have to hear what Mr Ratsiraka and Mr Ravalomanana want.

But Mr Ravalomanana said last month that he would only talk to his rival about how to get the island back on its feet - not about his political position.