Civil War Fears in Madagascar as Tanks Moved Secretly into Capital

World | March 13, 2009, Friday // 17:07|  views

Madagascar is on the verge of civil war as President Marc Ravalomanana issued a radio appeal urging civilians to help defend the presidential palace. Photo by daylife.com

Dissident troops in Madagascar say they have moved tanks into the capital amid a violent power struggle between the president and opposition leader.

President Marc Ravalomanana issued a radio appeal Friday urging civilians to help defend the presidential palace.

The military police and some army units are working together - but are refusing to take orders from the government.

President Marc Ravalomanana has been in a power struggle for weeks with former Antananarivo mayor Andy Rajoelina, the BBC reported.

Negotiations between the president and Mr Rajoelina planned for Thursday and Friday were called off.

The opposition leader is apparently attempting to establish a parallel government by naming an alternative cabinet.

Col Noel Rakotonandrasa, a spokesman for the mutinous soldiers, said tanks had been deployed in Antananarivo, known locally as Tana, as a precaution to intercept any mercenaries hired by the government.

"We moved tanks into Tana during the middle of the night. They're not on the streets but at a secret location," Col Rakotonandrasa said.

At least 100 people have died during opposition protests that began in late January.

The US ambassador to Madagascar warned on Wednesday that the Indian Ocean island nation was on the verge of civil war.

 

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Tags: civil war, madagascar, tanks, radio address, president

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