TIMELINE-Main events in Madagascar's political crisis

Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:10pm GMT

Feb 19 (Reuters) - Madagascar must comply with previous power-sharing agreements by March 16 or the African Union will impose sanctions, the latest attempt to restore democracy on the Indian Ocean island. [ID:nLDE61I23B]

Below is a timeline of key events in the political crisis:

Mar 17 - former President Marc Ravalomanana quits power after weeks of popular protest and violence.

Mar 21 - Coup instigator Andry Rajoelina sworn in as president.

Mar 31 - Southern African Development Community suspends Madagascar.

May 8 - IMF freezes Madagascar aid.

Jun 3 - Ravalomanana sentenced in absentia to four years in jail for abuse of office.

Jul 6 - EU says it is unhappy with progress on restoring constitutional order in Madagascar. Aid remains frozen.

Jul 20 - Spate of failed bomb-attacks across Antananarivo.

Aug 9 - Island's power-brokers sign initial power-sharing deal in Mozambique's capital Maputo.

Aug 28 - A second round of talks in Maputo end without agreement on who should be prime minister and hold other key cabinet posts.

Sep 4 - Rajoelina unilaterally names Monja Roindefo as prime minister. Days later Roindefo forms a government which African nations are quick to reject.

Sept 26 - Rajoelina barred by African nations from addressing the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Oct 6 - Rajoelina bows to international pressure and sacks Roindefo. Leaders agree on certain key posts.

Oct 11- Rajoelina appoints Eugene Mangalaza as a consensus prime minister.

Nov 7 - An extension to the Maputo deal is signed in Addis Ababa. Rajoelina remains president but is flanked by two co-presidents. There are instant disputes over the division of executive power. The African Union suspension remains.

Dec 2 - Opposition accuses Rajoelina of stalling talks

Dec 3 - Opposition leaders go to Mozambique for more talks with lead mediator Joaquim Chissano. Rajoelina boycotts them.

Dec 8 - Ravalomanana, Ratsiraka and Zafy agree to press ahead with the formation of a unity government. Rajoelina blocks their return to Madagascar.

Dec 9 - Rajoelina rejects opposition call to join unity government.

Dec 12 - Opposition leaders try to return via South Africa but are held up at Johannesburg airport.

Dec 17 - Rajoelina says Madagascar to hold parliamentary vote on March 20

Dec 18 - Opposition leaders allowed to return. Rajoelina fires consensus prime minister. Opposition leaders say they will set up unity government within days.

Dec 20 - Rajoelina appoints army Colonel Vital Albert Camille as new prime minister.

Dec 22 - Security forces fire teargas at opposition leaders.

Dec 23 - U.S. President Barack Obama terminates trade benefits for Madagascar.

Jan 22 - Rajoelina snubs the African Union's top diplomat, again rejecting calls for consensus government.

Feb 12 - Vice prime minister Ny Hasina Andriamanjato resigns in a sign of growing divisions within the government.

Feb 17 - Rajoelina pushes parliamentary election back to May, says they will be transparent and democratic.

Feb 19 - AU gives Rajoelina until March 16, or face targeted sanctions. (Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by David Clarke)




Comments (0)
This discussion is now closed. We welcome comments on our articles for a limited period after their publication.