Madagascar Power Sharing Talks Begin

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The parties are expected to reach an agreement on practical ways to implement the accord signed in Maputo on August 9. On the first round, the parties agreed on a platform for the creation of transitional institutions, which will lead to the elections at the end of a period of 15 months from the date of the signing of the agreement.

As in the first round, these talks are being mediated by former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, with the main actors self-proclaimed Madagascan President, Andry Rajoelina, the deposed President Marc Ravalomanana and former Heads of State Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy. All signed the historic Maputo Agreement for the restoration of constitutional order in Madagascar. Leonardo Simao, Mozambique‘s former Foreign Minister, who is also a member of the negotiating team, said to reporters that this round of negotiations would focus on the distribution of responsibilities a number of tasks planned for the transition period.

"This meeting will discuss the distribution of a number of tasks that are planned for the transition period, including the Transition Government, two-tier Parliament among others, and how they will function without a Constitution", explained Simao.

According to Simao, there is a positive mood among Malagasy delegations to these talks, as all parties view the agreement as the only sign of hope for ending the conflict that pitted the political leaders. This will pave the way for organizing fair and transparent elections and the establishment of stable and democratic institutions.

The talks are held under auspices of the African Union (AU) and within the mandate of the Joint Mediation Team to Madagascar (JMTM). The mediation team includes representatives of the AU, Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF) and the United Nations (UN).

Source: Allafrica