Tense stand-off in Madagascar

Ravalomanana supporters fear he could be arrested

Thousands of people have erected barricades on the streets of the capital of Madagascar in support of the opposition leader, Marc Ravalomanana, who has proclaimed himself president.

It's very very important for me to make the process democratic

Marc Ravalomanana

People guarding the dozens of makeshift roadblocks in Antananarivo say they are determined to ensure none of Mr Ravalomanana's enemies get access to his home.

Their action is in defiance of a state of emergency imposed by President Didier Ratsiraka after Mr Ravalomanana declared himself president on Friday.

Mr Ratsiraka is reported to have left the capital for his stronghold in the east of the island.

Thousands took to the streets again on Saturday

It is the latest confrontation in the ongoing dispute over December's presidential election, which Mr Ravalomanana won, but not by the required majority needed to avoid a second round.

The millionaire mayor of Antananarivo insists he won outright, and has refused to participate in the run-off originally scheduled Sunday, and now postponed until 24 March.

He told the BBC that the elections had been fixed.

"Before I decided to declare as president of Madagascar, I used all the possibility for negotiations. It's very very important for me to make the process democratic," he said.

Cordon

Armed with clubs, Mr Ravalomanana's supporters have blocked off the roads to his home with makeshift barricades.

Crisis timeline

16 Dec - Presidential election held

7 Jan - Opposition claim rigging, begin daily protests

16 Jan - Court orders vote recount

25 Jan - Result announced, run-off ordered

28 Jan - Opposition strike begins

22 Feb - Ravalomanana declares himself president, PM announces state of emergency

Tens of thousands thronged the streets of the capital on Saturday in a mass show of support for Mr Ravalomanana - the latest in an almost daily demonstration since the disputed poll.

The emergency measures - for a period of three months - were announced by Prime Minister Tantely Andrianarivo after the opposition leader told hundreds of thousands of supporters he was now leading the country.

Demonstrations are banned and the government is empowered to requisition all public services and take total control over the media, the post and telephone service.

'Unilateral'

Mr Ratsiraka has said that the opposition leader's campaign is illegal and unconstitutional.

The United States also criticised Mr Ravalomanana's unilateral move and urged him to reconsider his actions.

Mr Ravalomanana insists he won December's polls

Talks chaired by the Organisation of African Unity to settle the stalemate over the elections and the widespread evidence of fraud have failed to produce an agreement.

Since December's elections, there have been weeks of strikes in support of Mr Ravalomanana in Antananarivo, where he enjoys widespread support.

But officials had said earlier that they would not let Mr Ravalomanana take power.