Madagascar: What should the OAU do?

An emergency meeting of the Organisation of African Unity in Addis Ababa has called for fresh elections in Madagascar.

This follows turbulent presidential elections last December which led to two candidates each claiming victory.

It has also been declared that Madagascar's seat at the OAU will remain vacant until a legitimate government is established on the island.

One of the rival presidents, Marc Ravalomanana, has expressed his disappointment with the OAU's declaration, describing it as an irrelevant decision by a club of old cronies.

The other rival president, Didier Ratsiraka, has meanwhile returned to Madagascar from the Addis Ababa meeting, insisting that he is still the rightful leader.

Do you agree with the OAU's decision? What do you think should be done to resolve the long-running crisis in Madagascar?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

The OAU should do nothing. I don't recall it being of any help at solving issues in trouble spots in Africa. What they are doing is giving a green light for the dictators of Africa to cling on to power, no matter what it takes. Ravalomanana won the elections and he should be duly recognised.
Phambanisa, Malawi

It is high time that OAU takes stand on free and fair elections. I believe that is the only way Africa will practice and continue on the path of democracy. I hope the EU will support the OAU and will not help kill democracy as Bush has done. President Bush please let democracy reign in Madagascar as OAU have for the first time excluded a member for election rigging. Bravo OAU, I hope you are not been hypocritical and you do it to all other members if something like this does happen.
Ahmed Tunis, USA

This confirms the allegation that the OAU is a club of Presidents seeking to protect each other

John M Kabia, Sierra Leone/UK

I am bitterly disappointed over the OAU's reluctance to recognise the duly elected president of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana. The recount agreed in Dakar clearly shows Marc to be the people's choice and this has been confirmed by the country's judicial system. Why should the OAU disregard the decision of the Madagascy people? This confirms the allegation that the OAU is a club of Presidents seeking to protect each other. What a big shame.
John M Kabia, Sierra Leone/UK

I think the OAU decision is irrelevant and inappropriate for many reasons. First because they do not know the reality on the ground where people are eager for changes and reforms after 25 years living under a corrupt regime. Second, because these presidents are also afraid for their seats in case what is happening in Madagascar becomes an example in whole Africa. In this matter, the OUA should be referred to as the association of African presidents but not Organization of African Unity. I do not think their opinion would reflect their people's view. This is a question that should make us think about democracy in Africa: Why is it that only in Africa a president will rule more than two decades and yet it takes bloodshed to achieve any change?
Jean Eric, Madagascar/US

I believe Madagascar is one of the most forgotten places on the African continent. Irrespective of the lack of proper functioning government in the place and the resultant isolation of the innocent people, the OAU, wakes up in the morning and makes disturbing decisions not in conformity with the realities in Madagascar. I have never been to Madagascar but surely believe the people of that country gave the claimant President Mac Ravalomanana and are still giving him their full support. That alone is enough for the OAU to have a hands off approach to Madagascar. The OAU has not always been an authority in conflict resolution. They have had a string of failures ranging from Congo-Eritrea, its seat in Ethiopia-Lethoto and others to mention but few.
Bonnie Agea, Tanzania

As far as supporting genuine democracy goes, the OAU's credentials are at best badly tainted. The organization conveniently lost its voice in the dark days of Abacha's rule in Nigeria. And as I write, despotic and corrupt "leaders" are to be found within its fold. It is no surprise that the USA and the western governments have seized the initiative in recognizing Marc Ravalomanana as the rightful President of Madagascar. For, not only were elections held, the Supreme Court in that country has ruled in favour of one of the candidates. If that is not the rule of law and due process, then I don't know what is. In any case, what else does Ratsiraka want after ruling the country for 20 years? If there ever was a time that the OAU stood up for legitimate rule and against self-perpetuation in office, that time is now.
Segun Oyedele, Nigeria/South Africa

I think the OAU decision is consistent with preceding OUA decisions. Useless to democracy, and useful in helping a fellow dictators. Have members of the OAU been to Madagascar to check the facts? I for one am glad the US made up its mind and has not continued to waver like France and its "old boys network".
Matsa Rason, Switzerland/Madagascar

The OAU should be reminded of its objectives

YNK, Malawi

I am certain the OAU arrived at their decision after sufficient deliberation. But, the decision does not help Madagascar in any way because the two leaders will go back and argue some more. The OAU should be reminded of its objectives and for it to play a valuable role, the organisation should not remove Madagascar from its seat but use it to apply necessary pressure.
YNK, Malawi

I support the OAU decision to keep the seat vacant. However it would appear that only new and closely monitored elections supervised by the OAU (with international monitors if OAU sees it necessary) and with a cleansed electoral list may end the impasse. OAU and Madagascar citizens should look across the sea at elections in Trinidad and Tobago. The country has been deadlocked now for almost a year after the two main parties won the same number of seats. The President after consultations with the two party leaders designated a Prime Minister. Not surprisingly the person not selected has cried foul.
Ena Swanton, US via Barbados

What the OAU needs to do is show leadership it hasn't demonstrated yet. Bring the parties together and lead them to a permanent and decisive solution. Maybe the OAU can do something for a change this time and show some leadership in Africa.
D. Tunks, United States

Let there be another election

Mohamed Hafiz Tunis/ US

Yes, I agree with the OAU decision. Let there be another election since President Ratsiraka was democratically elected several years ago.
Mohamed Hafiz Tunis, US resident

I suggest that fresh and new elections are held in Madagascar to avoid bloodshed.
Michael K. Kpehe, Liberia

I think the OAU is a confused organisation or they are just a bunch of champagne drinkers. They have never solved any problem before so I think they should have acknowledged Ravalomanana as the new head of state for Madagascar.
Terence Odu, Nigeria