Madagascar coup leader to lead transitional government but won’t run for re-election

Mediators: Madagascar leader can’t run in election

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Madagascar’s opposing political factions have agreed to retain the coup leader as head of the transitional government starting Wednesday but will not allow him to run in presidential elections, mediators said.

African Union envoy Ablasse Ouedraogo said late Tuesday that coup leader Andry Rajoelina will lead the transitional government until an election is held.

“As of tomorrow, Andry Rajoelina is the head of state of the transition,” he said.

Mediators converged in Madagascar this week to hold a third round of talks aimed at smoothing over the post-coup political turmoil.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he welcomed the progress toward unity in a statement released Wednesday.

The mediators also appointed two key cabinet posts on Tuesday, installing Emmanuel Rakotovahiny as vice president and Eugene Mangalaza as the new prime minister, replacing Monja Roindefo.

Tuesday’s agreement charges the transitional government with preparing for elections. Mediators established during August talks that elections must take place by November 2010.

The Indian Ocean island nation has found itself being increasingly isolated. Several nations have imposed or threatened sanctions. The AU has condemned Rajoelina and suspended Madagascar until it has a government elected through fair and transparent elections.

AU commissioner Jean Ping warned that sanctions would not be lifted immediately.

“The agreement does not inevitably imply a lifting of all the sanctions, but it means countries will not impose new sanctions, and can drop their implementation of threats of sanctions,” he said.

Rajoelina, a former disc jockey, overthrew President Marc Ravalomanana in March after winning support from the military.

The mediators helped forge a power-sharing agreement in August in Mozambique but Rajoelina drew criticism for unilaterally forming a new government in September, violating an accord that demands that all parties agree on appointments.