ReliefWeb

ANTANANARIVO, Oct 12, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The separation between Madagascar's High Transitional Authority President Andry Rajoelina and his Prime Minister Monja Roindefo was confirmed by the appointment of a new prime minister last weekend.

Rajoelina announced a decree Saturday evening on the nomination of Eugene Mangalaza, a prime minister approved by the four political camps, each led by Rajoelina and former presidents, Marc Ravalomanana, Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy.

Rajoelina said that until the appointment of new ministers, the actual senior government officials continued their work without Roindefo's order.

The appointment was declared hours after Roindefo, appointed by Rajoelina on Feb. 7 this year, insisted that he would remain at his post and would be a candidate in the next presidential election.

Immediately after the declaration of Roindefo and shortly before the appointment of Eugene Mangalaza, the Minister of Culture and Heritage, Raharizatovo Gilbert, said as a government spokesman that the ministers preferred to follow Rajoelina rather than Roindefo.

Saying that the ordinary works of government follow its normal course until further notice, Raharizatovo added that ministers would no longer follow Roindefo's order and government decisions would be taken in a government council.

Roindefo said in his statement that what was approved by the four camps last Tuesday did not conform to the Rajoelina's promise to his supporters during the hot demonstrations led by Rajoelina.

Roindefo said that the appointment of Eugene Mangalaza, a professor of Philosophy from Ratsiraka's camp, was an interference of the international contact group in Madagascar's internal affairs and a trampling of its sovereignty.

However, Roindefo said that he had no intention to remain in life as prime minister, saying "As Rajoelina request my departure rather than the implementation of Maputo charter, (agreement signed by big four in Maputo Mozambique on August 9 for the transitional posts), I demand that this Charter is respected letter to the letter."

Media here reported on Monday that security in the prime minister palace was reinforced few hours after Roindefo's declaration, while armed forces leaders said that nothing was strange and they do their work as usual.

Analysts here said that the people waited for final position of the armed forces, who had repeatedly declared in several occasions that they were neutral and united but obviously they are divided into groups of political camps.

Another problem arises on the position of Ravalomanana who did not accept Rajoelina as transitional president, though the representatives of four camps agreed with international mediators that Rajoelina remains at his post. Emmanuel Rakotovahiny from Zafy's camp would be transitional vice president and Mangalaza from Ratsiraka's camp would be prime minister.