Madagascar crisis drags on

Antananarivo - Three months after Madagascar's president was ousted in an army-backed coup, the new regime is struggling to rally international support and talks on the island have been fruitless. The Indian Ocean nation's political crisis began late in 2008 when the youthful Andry Rajeolina took the helm of the opposition and spearheaded three months of street protests to topple Marc Ravalomanana. With the army's support, he sent the elected president fleeing into exile and was proclaimed interim leader, but the post-coup crisis has lasted another three months and the island remains in constitutional and diplomatic limbo. The country's various political factions have all expressed their willingness to take part in talks but have also stuck to their guns, obstinately defending irreconcilable positions. Continues Below ↓ The... [read full story]                    

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