The leaders of Malagasy political parties, including ousted President Marc Ravalomanana and current leader Andry Rajoelina, are meeting in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa to end the 17-month political crisis in their country.
The three-day Addis Ababa peace talk is a follow up to the previous two peace talks facilitated by various regional and international bodies in Maputo, Mozambique.
Representative of the political parties in Addis are expressing their hope to end the political crisis and bring peace and stability in Madagascar.
The parties are holding their discussion in a closed session attended by African Union (AU) Commission chairperson Jean Ping and member states of the AU Peace and Security Council.
The talk aims at resolving their difference and lead to the formation of a transitional government that will be followed by a national election, expected to be held by end 2010.
Ping urged leaders of the political parties to end their political differences and pave the road for a national election.
He also urged the parties to give priority to the interest of Madagascar and its people who are suffering a lot since the crisis erupted.
Former Malagasy president Professor Albert Zafy, who is the “doyen d’age” (eldest) among leaders of the political movement of Madagascar, said that his country is in need of a political commitment from the gathering leaders.
I hope this meeting in Addis Ababa will be the last one where we will declare peace for our country,” said Zafy, “we all are responsible for what is happening in Madagascar and will be judged by history”.
He also expressed his hope that the on going meeting in Addis Ababa will usher a new era for the political crisis of Madagascar.
The Addis Ababa meeting is being attended by Andry Rajoelina, who ousted Ravalomanana, and two former presidents Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy.
The Addis Ababa talk was originally scheduled to be held in October in Geneva.
However due to the request by the parties, it was agreed to be held on African soil, in Addis Ababa where the AU is based.
The talks are scheduled to end on Thursday.
Source African Press Agency
