WEEKLY POLITICAL & SOCIAL NEWS (JULY 20
th- JULY 24
th)
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
Politics
ANC disbands provincial executive in Western Cape & North West
Gill Marcus appointed as new Reserve Bank Governor
COPE officials claim they are being muzzled
Tito Mboweni says it was his decision to step down
Tough road ahead for Western Cape ANC
Judge John Hlophe may be off the hook
Vusi Pikoli to fight appointment of his successor
Judge John Hlophe asks to return to work
President Zuma condemns violent service delivery protests
Foreign Relations
SA Deputy International Relations Minister attends SADC meeting in Swaziland
South Africa tackles the Omar al-Bashir issue
Crime
Cops anticipate more drug-related arrests at OR Tambo International
Specialist police units to be reinstated
Pretoria cops arrest alleged Boschkop killers
Other Social Issues
Trials on new AIDS drugs start this week
Calls for more funds for AIDS research
Fears of xenophobia rearing its head again
Centre for Disease Control to be established in SA
Co-operative Governance Minister gets tough on protests
Co-operative Governance Minister planning to visit troubled township
South African television goes digital next year
Neighbouring Countries
Raul Castro pays state visit to Namibia
Namibia confirms first swine flu cases
Violence flares up in Madagascar again
Top officials detained in Malagasy attacks probe
Madagascar’s main political groups agree to meet
POLITICS
ANC disbands provincial executive in Western Cape & North West
Chaos erupted in Rustenburg last Sunday after the African National Congress (ANC) announced it was disbanding the party’s North West provincial executive. Protesters opposed to the dissolution, announced by the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) last weekend, derailed the meeting in a public hall. Police had to fire rubber bullets while trying to disperse the unruly crowd and protesters threw chairs at some Cabinet Ministers who were attending the meeting.
The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, who is also an ANC NEC member, was accosted by the crowd and had to be escorted from the venue after the meeting was abandoned. The ruling party suspected leaders, including North West provincial secretary Supra Mahumapelo, of working for breakaway rival Congress of the People (COPE) before the 22 April general election. A number of provincial leaders endorsed former President Thabo Mbeki ’s campaign for a third term as party leader ahead of the ANC’s elective conference in December 2007. Many were re-elected in a subsequent provincial conference. The North West dissolution, along with that of the Western Cape provincial committee, comes as the ruling party seeks to prepare itself for the 2011 local government elections.
The ANC had already stripped the troubled executive committee in the Western Cape of political power before the April election that lost the province to the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), but decided it needed to start from scratch in its bid to regain control of key municipalities in the province in two years’ time. The Western Cape provincial executive committee, led by former provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha, has been accused of patronage, sowing racial division and of neglecting branches in Coloured areas. The ANC’s alliance partners in the Western Cape - the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) - have welcomed the ruling party’s latest move, saying it is long overdue. The ANC is likely to set up interim task teams in both the Western Cape and North West provinces within two weeks and has vowed to hold fresh elective conferences within months.
Gill Marcus appointed as new Reserve Bank Governor
The appointment of Ms Gill Marcus as the new Governor of the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) has been welcomed by several political parties, business organizations and economists. Last Sunday, President Jacob Zuma announced that Ms Marcus would replace Tito Mboweni from 9 November this year. Ms Marcus is well respected by market players and her previous experience as Deputy Governor of the South African Reserve Bank will stabilize the markets.
The ANC says the appointment of Ms Marcus as the first woman Governor of the SARB demonstrates the government's commitment to gender equality. The South African Communist Party (SACP) has welcomed Ms Marcus' appointment, saying it hopes this will bring "a breath of fresh air". The Democratic Alliance (DA) also welcomed the new governor's appointment, but says it is concerned about the manner in which Mr Mboweni was replaced. The DA says even though the reasons for the Governor's sudden change of heart are not known, it could well be argued that the President has bowed to pressure from the unions and pushed the current governor out. This came after Mr Mboweni accepted his re-appointment to the position, but asked to leave in November 2009. Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has welcomed the appointment of Ms Marcus, saying her qualifications and experience in the public and private sectors make her a worthy successor to Mr Mboweni.
COPE officials claim they are being muzzled
A group of disgruntled Congress of the People (COPE) members and officials in the Western Cape claim they are being sabotaged so as to prevent them from publicly voicing their frustrations. A cellphone text message was sent to the media last Sunday, shortly before a planned meeting of concerned COPE officials in Woodstock, Cape Town was to start. The SMS claimed the high court had ordered that the gathering should not go ahead. The group did eventually meet to discuss numerous problems which have been plaguing COPE lately.
The party’s former elections head, Simon Grindrod, was meant to address the meeting but pulled out at the last minute. He has been banned from speaking at any COPE gathering after he criticized the party when he recently resigned from his senior position within the party.
Tito Mboweni says it was his decision to step down
Outgoing South African Reserve Bank Governor, Tito Mboweni says he took the decision to step down from his position and insists that he was not pushed. Mr Mboweni is to be replaced by Ms Gill Marcus in November. Ms Marcus is a former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank and the current chairperson of ABSA Bank.
During the final years of his tenure, Mr Mboweni has endured harsh criticism from the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) for implementing government’s policy of inflation targeting. Mr Mboweni maintains that President Jacob Zuma wanted to appoint him as head of the Reserve Bank for another five years but he had to ensure that he would be re-employable. While Mr Mboweni says he wants to return to public service, as President Zuma has indicated, there is the possibility of going into academia or to go farming. Mr Mboweni will have to serve a cooling-off period of between six to nine months, which he intends spending catching trout.
Tough road ahead for Western Cape ANC
A South African political analyst says the ANC in the Western Cape has a formidable task ahead of it to rebuild its structures. The ANC’s national leadership has dissolved the party’s provincial executive committee (PEC) amid ongoing infighting and factionalism. A new PEC is to be established in the Western Cape within the next nine months.
Well-known political analyst, Harald Pakendorf says the ANC has a lot of work to do, commenting “If they had taken this step earlier on they would not have lost so far in the recent general elections. Certainly there are deep divisions within the ANC in the Western Cape and these will not be overcome by simply disbanding the present leadership. It is a long road forward for them from where they are still now.”
Judge John Hlophe may be off the hook
Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe could be cleared over allegations that he tried to improperly influence Constitutional Court Judges in relation to matters concerning President Jacob Zuma. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC - a watchdog parastatal agency which advises the national government on any matter relating to the judiciary or the administration of justice)) has cancelled its preliminary investigation into the complaints originally raised against Judge Hlophe by several Constitutional Court Judges in May 2008.
The decision to halt the probe against Judge Hlophe appears to have been taken after four new members appointed to the JSC by President Zuma joined the commission earlier this week. Earlier, the JSC decided to go ahead with the probe but behind closed doors.
Vusi Pikoli to fight appointment of his successor
The Presidency has informed axed National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss, Advocate Vusi Pikoli that his permanent successor will be appointed despite Advocate Pikoli challenging his dismissal in court.
On Tuesday, Advocate Pikoli said he had received notice of the impending appointment but his lawyer says the move will be opposed. Advocate Pikoli’s legal team will argue that the decision to remove him from office may well be set aside. They have written to the state attorney to request the date for the intended appointment of Advocate Pikoli’s successor. Advocate Pikoli says he was suspended by former President Thabo Mbeki to protect suspended National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi from an investigation.
After former President Kgalema Motlanthe fired him last year, Advocate Pikoli claimed it was because the ANC wanted a more amenable prosecutions head. President Zuma was then facing charges of fraud and corruption. Advocate Pikoli has written to Judge President Bernard Ngoepe of the Gauteng North High Court in Pretoria, asking for a court date for his case in which he is challenging his dismissal on the grounds that it was unconstitutional and flawed.
President Zuma's office has declined to comment, saying that “at this stage we have taken a decision not to comment until processes have been finalized.”
Judge John Hlophe asks to return to work
The Minister of Justice, Jeff Radebe will let Western Cape Judge President, John Hlophe know whether he can return to work before next Monday. Judge Hlophe is on self-imposed leave, pending the completion of the Judicial Service Commission’s (JSC) investigation into whether he improperly influenced Constitutional Court Judges in a case involving President Jacob Zuma.
Judge Hlophe has written to Minister Radebe, informing him that he will return to work at the Cape High Court after the recess on 27 July. This is Judge Hlophe’s second attempt to return to work. Minister Radebe’s predecessor, Enver Surty ordered Judge Hlophe to go back on leave. Minister Radebe’s spokesperson says, “The Minister is still considering the matter and once he has made a determination, he will communicate his views accordingly to Judge President John Hlophe and that should happen before next Monday.”
[On Friday morning, the Office of Minister Radebe confirmed that Judge Hlophe will not return to work until the Judicial Service Commission finalizes its hearings. Minister Radebe’s spokesperson says the Minister and Judge Hlophe have reached a mutual agreement.]
President Zuma condemns violent service delivery protests
On Thursday, President Jacob Zuma condemned the violent protests that have swept the country in recent weeks, but said that government would listen to the people's concerns.
Addressing members of the Confederation of Black Business Organizations (CBBO) in Sandton, Johannesburg on Thursday evening, President Zuma said government had noted with great concern the service delivery protests that have erupted in several parts of the country. He promised government would listen to the people's concerns and come up with ways to address their challenges. President Zuma commented, “We acknowledge that there are service delivery problems in some areas, and that is why we have configured government departments and instituted some changes that should improve the way government functions.”
President Zuma said while people had the right of freedom of assembly and to protest, there can be no justification for violence, looting and destruction of property, as seen in some of the protests. The President warned, “The law enforcement agencies will continue to act swiftly against all who break the law.”
Earlier in the day (on Thursday), Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sicelo Shiceka, visited Mpumalanga Province to assess the situation on the ground and get a report from a task team that was set up in response to the service delivery protests there. Last Friday, Minister Shiceka dispatched a high-level delegation of department officials to investigate the concerns of the community and devise a turn-around strategy in response to the issues raised.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
SA Deputy International Relations Minister attends SADC meeting in Swaziland
On Monday, South Africa’s Deputy International Relations and Co-operation Minister, Ms Susan Van der Merwe arrived in Swaziland to attend the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) 30th session of the Inter-State Politics Diplomacy Committee (ISPDC).
South Africa participates in the SADC ISPDC within the context of the consolidation of the African Agenda as well as promoting peace and stability within the region. Issues on the agenda of this session of the ISPDC included: *The Progress Report on the Hashim Mbita Project; *Budget for the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs; *The Political and security situation in the region; *The Consolidation of Democracy in the region: the creation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC); *Elections in the region;
*Disaster management; *Implementation of the UNIVISA; *Progress on the staffing of the Directorate of Politics, Defence and Security Affairs.
The SADC meeting in Swaziland also reviewed the specific objectives of the ISPDC, namely: safeguarding the development of the region, promoting political co-operation among states and the evolution of common political values and institutions, preventing and resolving inter and intra-state conflict by peaceful means, developing common foreign policy approaches on issues of mutual concern, promoting the development of democratic institutions and practices within the territories of State parties and to develop peace-keeping capacity of national defence forces and co-ordinate the participation of state parties in international and regional peace-keeping operations.
The SADC region is one of the regions in the world which is relatively stable and peaceful. This week’s session of the ISPDC will link to various other SADC efforts which seek to consolidate democracy within the region.
South Africa tackles the Omar al-Bashir issue
The South African government wants its legal experts to deal with the issue of South Africa’s response to the international arrest warrant against Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir. The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DICO) says lawyers will decide if there is any conflict of interest.
As a signatory of the International Criminal Court (ICC) convention, South Africa is obliged to arrest President al- Bashir if he sets foot in this country and Sudanese authorities were in no doubt of this when President al-Bashir, facing war crimes charges for what has happened in Darfur, declined to attend President Jacob Zuma’s inauguration.
Since then, the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Summit (held in Libya during July) resolved not to co-operate with the ICC regarding President al-Bashir’s arrest. Botswana, also an AU member, formally rejected the continental body’s resolution and reaffirmed its treaty obligations to fully co-operate with the ICC in the arrest and transfer of the President of Sudan to the ICC.
The Deputy Director-General of Multilateral Affairs at the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, Ambassador George Nene says the South African government will decide whether there is any conflict of interest between the recent AU resolution and its ICC commitments. Ambassador Nene says the South African government is still looking into the case and says, “We have given this to our experts, especially the legal section to advise us as politicians.”
CRIME
Cops anticipate more drug-related arrests at OR Tambo International
Police at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg are hoping for yet another successful week in their fight against drugs after they recently seized drugs to the value of more than R107-million. Last Friday, police at the airport seized R57-million worth of raw materials used in the manufacturing of the drugs, ecstasy and tik (methamphetamine). The substances were found hidden in cargo on flights from India and Dubai.
Last Saturday, police officers confiscated a further R50-million worth of ecstasy powder, cocaine and ephedrine from a plane which flew in from India. Earlier in the week two women were arrested after scans showed they were carrying cocaine bullets in their stomachs. A third woman, from South America, was arrested after police officers found a kilogram of cocaine in her hand luggage.
Specialist police units to be reinstated
The government plans to reintroduce the police’s family violence, child protection and sexual offences units, which were disbanded three years ago amid a public outcry, after research by a child advocacy group revealed a serious decline in services.
The Office of the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, says a task team has been formed to look at how to go about reforming the units and a report is expected by the end of the year. The reshuffle, which will undo the government’s controversial 2006 decision, is likely to be a costly exercise. The Police Minister has made it clear that the issue is to be given priority and that these police units need to be operating as soon as possible. The police have received many complaints from the public, organizations and business about the handling of crimes against women and children.
The police task team is considering matters such as budgeting, resources and how to go about bringing back the expertise lost when the police units were disbanded as part of the police’s efforts to fight crime by redeploying skilled officers to police stations. It was hoped that senior officers would mentor other officers and that there would be a transfer of skills. The state has prioritized crimes against women and children, but findings by child advocacy group Resources Aimed at Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect has revealed a loss of skills, bad delivery, demoralization and poorly resourced staff after these police units were disbanded. There was an absence of political will in government and the police in relation to the prioritization of victims, especially in terms of crimes against women and children. The study also found that distributing specialized police officers among police stations to ensure a spread of skills has backfired. A lack of specialized skills at detective-level has undermined the quality of investigations at some police stations, and trained staff are assigned to general detective cases.
Pretoria cops arrest alleged Boschkop killers
After two murders in less than 24 hours in Boschkop (a rural suburb in the east of Pretoria), police have kept their promise to bring the killers to justice. All three men allegedly responsible for a local resident’s (Mr Bob Round) death are now behind bars. Two of them were arrested on Thursday morning, soon after the murder took place.
A third suspect boarded a taxi but he was tracked down later in the day and also taken into custody. The taxi driver who helped him to escape has also been charged by the police. The other five men arrested on Thursday evening allegedly shot and killed a farm worker in Boschkop earlier this week. They also shot and wounded another local resident, Mr Van den Bosch, who came to investigate after hearing gunshots coming from his neighbour’s property.
OTHER SOCIAL ISSUES
Trials on new AIDS drugs start this week
Clinical trials on two new AIDS vaccines developed in South Africa are set to get underway this week. The programme is a joint venture between the US Institute of Health and the South African Medical Research Council.
The aim of the study is to have HIV-negative people use the drugs to see if their immune systems could fight the virus if they ever became infected. Twelve people in America are already testing the drugs.
The SA Aids Vaccine Initiative says they will test it on more patients in South Africa. In South Africa, 36 people will be tested - 18 at the site in Nyanga (a large Black township east of Cape Town) and 18 at the clinical trial site in Soweto (a large Black township south-west of Johannesburg).
Calls for more funds for AIDS research
An international medical organization warns despite a decrease in the cost of treating HIV/AIDS patients more money is needed for research. This week, the South African co-ordinator of Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF) expressed several concerns regarding the spread of HIV/AIDS and poor treatment, especially in third world countries. MSF is one of many attending the International Aids Society Conference in Cape Town this week.
Less than a decade ago it would have cost about US$7000 to treat one HIV-positive patient. Today, the cost is down to about US$100, but MSF says people are still dying unnecessarily and warns that more focus has to be placed on developing future treatments as people are becoming more resistant to antiretroviral drugs. In South Africa, some provinces have shown a drop in infection rates, however, KwaZulu-Natal has seen as an increase in HIV cases.
Fears of xenophobia rearing its head again
There have been calls on government to act swiftly to quell violence erupting during service delivery protests. In Mpumalanga Province, a number of foreigners have been targeted and their businesses looted during the past few days.
The scenes of barricades, vehicles and businesses burnings in the Mpumalanga town of Balfour have raised fears of a re-emergence of xenophobic attacks. South Africa was rocked by a wave of attacks on African, Indian and Pakistani foreigners in May last year and over 60 people were killed in the ensuing violence.
On Tuesday, protestors also turned violent in Thokoza (a Black township east of Johannesburg), although there have been no suggestions that this is xenophobia-related violence. Crime and violence consultant Themba Masuku says
criminals are largely to blame for the current violence, commenting “These protests at times get hijacked by people who have their own agendas, people who are not necessary there to fight a justifiable cause but for their own purposes.”
Centre for Disease Control to be established in SA
President Jacob Zuma and British business tycoon, Sir Richard Branson have announced the establishment of a Centre for Disease Control in South Africa, which is expected to be operational as early as next year. The two men met at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Wednesday to discuss the centre which will be the first of its kind in sub- Saharan Africa.
Sir Branson says he is happy to be part of the development which could benefit the entire continent, commenting
“Today will hopefully be the start of a new beginning when it comes to trying to get on top of all the health problems in Africa.”
President Zuma echoed Sir Branson’s words, saying South Africans should be proud. President Zuma commented, “It is good news and we hope that many business people will be ready to help because the private sector will play a major role.”
Co-operative Governance Minister gets tough on protests
The Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (who also deals with local and provincial government matters), Sicelo Shiceka, says government will not tolerate land invasions or any illegal form of protest action. This warning comes after Wednesday’s protests in Kliprivier (a Black township south of Johannesburg) linked to illegal farm invasions and service delivery.
Other protests around the country have also turned violent, including ones in Thokoza (a Black township on the East Rand) and Balfour in Mpumalanga Province. Minister Shiceka says people must obey the law, commenting “We are not going to allow anybody to use illegal means to achieve their objective. We are saying this is a government that is legitimate, has been elected democratically, anything that is being done, must be done within in the law and the constitution.”
Meanwhile, the residents of Balfour in Mpumalanga say they expect more violence after this week’s service delivery protests. Armed police are patrolling the area to keep an eye on residents. Protestors say they are waiting for police officers to release around 100 people arrested during the protests but officials say they will only be released on Friday.
Co-operative Governance Minister planning to visit troubled township
The Minister of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sicelo Shiceka was planning to visit Siyatemba (an impoverished Black township near the town of Balfour) in Mpumalanga Province on Wednesday. The area has been hit by several violent service delivery protests in recent days and Minister Shiceka says the residents’ grievances need to be addressed.
Minister Shiceka explained, “I have dispatched a task team that has been there since Friday last week. I will be getting a report about it and we will be making an announcement on what has to be done.”
News of the Minister’s visit spread quickly but it was unclear whether he would address the crowd. It was relatively quiet in Siyatemba on Thursday as many residents continued with their daily business. Some residents complained about having been unable to go to work and school since Monday and a bulldozer removed rocks and rubble from the street while heavily armed police guarded the vehicle.
On Thursday, thousands of residents in the Ramaphosa informal settlement on Johannesburg’s East Rand marched to their local municipal councillor’s office to hand over a memorandum demanding better services, whereafter the protestors dispersed. Young boys were seen playing soccer on the streets as police continued to patrol the area.
There were fears that shops belonging to foreigners could be looted on Thursday night. Residents have given the municipal councillor seven days to respond to their demands, adding that they are tired of empty promises and want government to build them houses, schools and clinics.
[On Thursday afternoon, an urgent meeting took place in Siyatemba between community leaders and the local Mayor. Community leaders gathered at the Balfour Town Hall to give the Mayor a report back on how local residents felt. Many people are unhappy about promises made, saying they want to see action from the municipality. Even though Minister Shiceka was in Mpumalanga on Thursday, he did not visit the Siyatemba township. Earlier, the Minister indicated he was planning to visit the troubled township].
South African television goes digital next year
South Africans hoping to make the digital migration will have to meet a set of requirements. The country will make the transition from analogue television signals to digital signals by early next year. The process will be phased in during the next couple of years.
Digital Dzonga, the council overseeing the process, says people not already on the digital signal need to purchase a decoder first before being able to switch over. The decoder will cost consumers R700 and television owners will be required to produce their TV licence in order to buy it.
Digital Dzonga’s Ms Karen Willenberg explains some of the requirements, “All televisions will need to get a set-up box in order to convert the digital signal. For example, if you have a high-definition TV, you will still need to buy a set-up box.” Ms Willenberg also says the poor will not be excluded from the process.
NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
Raul Castro pays state visit to Namibia
On Sunday, Cuban President Raul Castro arrived in Namibia on a state visit to strengthen ties with the southern African country. Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba told President Castro, “Your visit provides a valuable opportunity to further consolidate the excellent bilateral relations and the longstanding bonds of friendship and solidarity that exists between our two countries.”
According to President Pohamba, Namibia wants to increase co-operation with Cuba in infrastructure development, agriculture, fishing and the health sector. On Monday, President Castro met former Namibian President Sam Nujoma, before flying to Angola for a two-day visit. Ties between Namibia and Cuba formed during pre-independence days, when Cuban troops stationed in neighbouring Angola helped Namibia's liberation army to fight against apartheid South Africa's troops in southern Angola. Since Namibia's independence in 1990, it has signed several bilateral agreements with Cuba in the health sector, sport and culture, and education. Cuba has been providing continuous support to Namibia's health service, with over 140 Cuban health professionals working in Namibia and 130 Namibians studying in Cuba. The 77-year-old Raul Castro has led Cuba since illness forced his brother, Fidel to step down in 2006.
Namibia confirms first swine flu cases
On Monday, Namibian health officials confirmed the country’s first two cases of swine flu. Namibian Health Minister Richard Kamwi announced, “On Friday we received confirmation through the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) that we now have two confirmed cases of swine flu or H1N1.”
Both cases involve young adults who have been travelling in other countries. The first case involves a 13-year-old boy from Rehoboth who returned from a rugby trip with 20 other students in South Africa. In the second case, a young student returning from Europe was taken by ambulance to hospital last week directly from the international airport in Windhoek after she reported severe flu symptoms. She was treated and allowed to go home. The two ambulance drivers and two South African Airways (SAA) employees who had attended to her were treated at the airport. Minister Kamwi says Namibians should not panic and should remain calm because all the country’s logistics are in place. Neighbouring South Africa reported its first swine flu cases in June, while Botswana reported its first case last week.
Violence flares up in Madagascar again
On Monday, an aide to Madagascar's ousted president (Marc Ravalomanana) denied accusations that he and others are behind an alleged campaign of violence, and in turn, accused the country’s new leader (Andry Rajoelina) of looking for an excuse to avoid negotiations.
Last Sunday, the Malagasy police announced that three people were killed in weekend bombings and shootings in the capital city. The security minister from the new military-backed regime says the spokesperson for deposed President Ravalomanana's party was among those behind the attacks. The aide has denied the allegations, insisting that Mr Ravalomanana's supporters had nothing to do with the attacks. The aide is accusing Mr Rajoelina, who claimed the presidency after the March coup, of fabricating the allegations as an excuse to withdraw from attempts to negotiate a solution.
Mr Rajoelina announced at a news conference on Monday that he was pulling out of talks scheduled for Wednesday this week in Ethiopia (the headquarters of the African Union) because he cannot negotiate "with terrorists." Mr Rajoelina led a campaign of street protests that started in 2008 and, with the military's help, culminated with President Ravalomanana's ouster in March. The struggle for power has meant months of violence and volatility on the impoverished Indian Ocean island. African and Western nations have called Mr Rajoelina's take-over a coup and the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have suspended Madagascar's membership. Meanwhile, the US has cut off all but humanitarian aid to Madagascar.
Top officials detained in Malagasy attacks probe
Three top officials in the government of Madagascar's ousted President Marc Ravalomanana wanted in connection with recent attacks (which left three dead) have been detained. Jean-Marie Ramangason, the attorney general of the island's transitional government, says arrest warrants have been issued for five top officials. On Tuesday, three of the officials turned themselves over to the Malagasy police. They are currently being held for questioning, but there
are still individuals at large who are key people in the investigation. Among the three arrested individuals is the ousted President's party spokesman.
Jean-Louis Rakotoamboa, an official of the movement against transitional leader, Andry Rajoelina, has criticized the move, saying it is only meant to make criminals of the interim leader's foes and undermine their peaceful campaign.
Mr Rajoelina, backed by the army, toppled the President in March but has faced opposition from his rivals ever since.
On Monday, Mr Rajoelina withdrew from talks aimed at resolving the country's political crisis and condemned last weekend’s attacks as acts of terrorism. One man was killed and two others injured early last Sunday when a bomb they were handling in a vehicle exploded. In addition, two security guards were killed in an attack late last Saturday on private radio station Viva, which is owned by Mr Rajoelina. They were killed by assailants who were trying to plant a bomb inside the radio station. The attackers fled without planting the explosive after an exchange of fire with soldiers stationed inside.
Madagascar’s main political groups agree to meet
Madagascar's four main political groups have agreed that they should meet to find a solution for the country's political crisis. Mozambique's former President Joaquim Chissano, mediating for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), says the four main political groups agreed to meet even as transitional leader, Andry Rajoelina and two parties boycotted this week’s crisis talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (the headquarters of the African Union).
Mr Chissano says Madagascar’s main political groups have accepted the idea of a meeting to discuss all their country’s problems. The meeting will most probably take place in Mozambique, Mr Chissano’s home country, but he still has to consult with authorities in his country. African Union (AU) Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra has suggested that the four Malagasy political groups should meet in early August. Madagascar's former Presidents, Didier Ratsiraka, Albert Zafy, Marc Ravalomanana, as well as Mr Rajoelina (who ousted Mr Ravalomanana in March with the army's backing) each have a political group. Mr Rajoelina withdrew from this week’s talks, following last weekend’s botched bomb attacks in Antananarivo, which left three people dead.
Only two delegations, representing Mr Ravalomanana and his predecessor, Didier Ratsiraka, were present at this week’s Addis Ababa meeting with representatives of the UN, Southern African Development Community (SADC), the International Organization of the Francophonie and the AU. Mr Ravalomanana’s delegation welcomed the principle that the country's four main parties should meet to resolve the protracted political crisis and has also called for a quick solution to ease the suffering of the Malagasy people.
