The Associated Press 23.04.2002
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — An agreement aimed at ending a three-month dispute over determining Madagascar's rightful leader began to unravel Tuesday when officials loyal to President Didier Ratsiraka refused to end an economic blockade of the capital.
Antananarivo is under control of opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana, who claimed he was the outright winner of Dec. 16 presidential elections and declared himself president of the Indian Ocean island nation.
Ratsiraka moved his government to his eastern coastal stronghold of Toamasina and, in a bid to make Ravalomanana back down, orchestrated a blockade of roads leading into the capital to cut off its fuel supply.
The dispute has brought Madagascar to the brink of economic ruin.
Under an accord brokered by African leaders in Dakar, Senegal last week, the rival presidents agreed that there would be a recount of votes. If neither man emerges with a clear majority, Ratsiraka — with a prime minister agreed to by both — would preside over an interim government until a new vote in six months' time.
Ratsiraka also agreed to lift the blockades immediately.
However, five of the country's six provincial governors, who back Ratsiraka, said in a statement the blockades would continue until the rival government established by Ravalomanana under Prime Minister Jacques Sylla ceased its ``illegal'' activities and disbanded.
The governors had taken the decision independently and were not acting on orders from Ratsiraka, said a spokesman for Gov. Samuel Lahady, who heads the Toamasina province.
Last week Sylla said the opposition government would continue with plans to replace the provincial governors.
Meanwhile, the High Constitutional Court continued Tuesday reconciling ballots cast in the December election, a process expected to take several weeks. Election observers allege that Ratsiraka supporters had tried to rig the poll.
Civil rights groups estimate that 35 people have died in political violence since the election dispute began.