‘Shaky’ unity govt
‘Shaky’ unity govt
Published: 05:05 am Nov 09, 2009
ADDIS ABABA: Mediators seeking to lift Madagascar out of a political crisis have put in place what they themselves admit is a “shaky” consensus government to steer the Indian Ocean island to elections in 2010. The new government set up through tough negotiations includes a president, two co-presidents, a prime minister, three vice prime ministers and 31 ministers.All of this for a country with a population of some 20 million, and many observers doubt how well such a labyrinthine structure can function. After four days of stormy talks, the country’s main political figures, current leader Andry Rajoelina, the man he toppled Marc Ravalomanana and two former presidents Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy, signed an agreement billed as an “addition” to an earlier deal signed in Maputo on August 9.