Madagascar Shows Door To US Envoy

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Mon, 11 May 2009 14:42:30 GMT

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US ambassador to Madagascar, Niels Marquadt




The Madagascan premier accuses the US envoy of meddling, saying "it would be better for him to leave the island if he carries on with this conduct".

Monja Roindefa on Monday expressed outrage over what he termed as interference by ambassador Niels Marquadt in the country's internal affairs.

"It surprises me that before the crisis he (Marquardt) said Americans were going to quit Madagascar. Three months later he is still there. Nobody is forcing him to stay," Reuters quoted Monja as saying.

He was referring to months of unrest on the Island which ended in president Marc Ravalomanana stepping down from power in March and handing the reins of the country to opposition leader Andry Rajoelina.

Marquardt had described the change in Madagascan leadership as a 'military coup' which had left Madagascar "on the verge of civil war" and called for fresh elections.

"Those who are not happy can leave. The Malagasy people are sovereign," Monja said.

The Madagascan premier also targeted the international community's non-recognition of the incumbent interim government.

"You are our technical and financial partners but before saying there had been a coup, before taking decisions, you should have listened to our version of events," he said on Sunday.

Nearly 200 Madagascans have been killed in clashes between pro- and anti-government supporters on the island where seven percent of the population live on less than USD 1 a day.

Despite the humanitarian crisis in Madagascar, the United States, Norway and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have withheld financial assistance from Antananarivo.


 
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