Madagascar: Rajoelina Says 'Call Me President'
By VOA News
18 March 2009
Andry Rajoelina has declared himself Madagascar's new president, a day after the military handed him power following the resignation of President Marc Ravalomanana.
In interviews with reporters Wednesday, Rajoelina said he was now head of a transitional government that is preparing a presidential election to be held within 24 months.
Speaking to a French television channel, he said "You can call me president."
Earlier on Wednesday, Madagascar's highest court confirmed the 34-year-old Rajoelina as the nation's acting leader.
The move violates Madagascar's constitution, which says the president must be at least 40 years of age.
Rajoelina addressed several thousand supporters in the capital, Antananarivo, Wednesday, in his first speech as leader of Madagascar's government.
President Ravalomanana resigned Tuesday following weeks of anti-government protests. The president tried to put the military in charge, but senior officers instead gave power to Rajoelina, the opposition leader who led the protests.
The African Union has urged Madagascar to respect the constitution, and Washington has warned it could cut off aid to the country.
The U.S. State Department also ordered all of its non-emergency personnel and their families out of Madagascar.
The raucous anti-government protests led to the deaths of more than 100 people. Rajoelina and his supporters had accused Mr. Ravalomanana of becoming a dictator.
Mr. Ravalomanana's current location is unknown. The U.S. State Department denies he has taken refuge in the U.S. embassy in Antananarivo.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
