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Saturday, 2 March, 2002, 11:52 GMT
Malagasy opposition presents 'cabinet'
![]() Mass protests have been going on since the elections
Thousands of people in Madagascar have turned out to greet the new cabinet of opposition leader and self-declared president Marc Ravalomanana in the capital Antananarivo, in defiance of martial law.
Introducing the 17 ministers, Mr Ravalomanana's head of government - Jacques Sylla - called for "positive dialogue" to deal with the country's crisis.
Incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka announced martial law on Thursday after opposition protests descended into violence. But the city's new military governor - appointed by Mr Ratsiraka - said he does not want bloodshed, and his men will not fire on the people.
Meanwhile, Mr Ravalomanana named a parallel cabinet and said he intended to get civil servants back to work under his jurisdiction. But the BBC's Alastair Leithead says there is a question mark about who the military are faithful to. So far, they have maintained neutrality but as time passes it becomes less likely that they will act to impose control by force. Call for change Residents made their way to the May 13 Square early on Saturday for the ceremony to present the new self-declared cabinet.
"Ratsiraka might send the military but, if the people don't want Ratsiraka, he can't do anything. We will stay anyway," said another protester, Andre Razafindrakoto. Mr Ratsiraka said he was imposing martial law because of general strikes which have devastated the economy, and violence which he blamed on the opposition.
He said he was handing over all his powers in the capital to a military governor - General Leon Claude Raveloarison - in effect by-passing his rival, the mayor.
Under pressure Mr Ratsiraka, who was Madagascar's military ruler for 17 years before coming to power in elections in 1996, has been facing mounting pressure to step down. The formal economy and government have been at a virtual standstill for more than a month due to a general strike and pro-Ravalomanana demonstrations. Observers say there is an almost complete power vacuum as most government ministries have closed. |
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