Madagascar's Rajoelina installed as president

Andry Rajoelina promised an end to dictatorship and a new era of good governance in Madagascar Saturday in an inaugural speech capping his internationally-condemned takeover of the island.

The 34-year-old, sacked as mayor of Antananarivo after launching a New Year bid for power in the Indian Ocean state, was installed as president of a transitional authority in front of 40,000 jubilant supporters.

But his army-backed ouster earlier this week of ex-president Marc Ravalomanana, who ruled the country for seven years, was condemned as a coup by Western donors and regional powers which threatened sanctions and questioned the legality of his status.

The change of power came after protests repressed by the police and looting left around 100 people dead since the start of the year.

"Today we proclaim the end of dictatorship, of waste in the management of the state's affairs, the end of the lies, empty promises... that have for too long stifled Madagascar's political life," said Rajoelina, clad in a dark suit and orange tie.

During the ceremony in the capital's main stadium, Rajoelina -- who is six years under the legal age to run for president -- vowed fresh polls within two years and a new constitution.

Three days after being confirmed in charge of the country by a constitutional court, Rajoelina took an oath in front of religious leaders, his cabinet and judges. No foreign diplomats were visible.

The baby-faced former disc jockey, whose three-month-old challenge for power culminated with Ravalomanana's resignation on Tuesday, tried to address some of the world's concerns.

"To all the peoples and rulers of friendly and partner countries, to donors... who are watching today: be assured that Madagascar is a friend to every nation and citizen in the world," Rajoelina said.

"You must know that we want change in the way our country is governed and are determined to implement the rules and principles of good governance," he added.

Hajo Andrianainarivelo, the new decentralisation minister under Rajoelina's regime, said after the ceremony that "this is what Madagascar has wanted for a long time."

However, while global reaction to Ravalomanana's resignation was initially muted, the decision by Rajoelina's cabinet to suspend parliament on Thursday soon left the leader facing a barrage of criticism.

The United States had already described Rajoelina's rise to power as a "coup d'etat" and suspended its non-humanitarian aid, while former colonial power France and the African Union AU also denied him legitimacy.

And on Saturday, Algiers described the power shift as "unconstitutional" and called "for a rapid return to constitutional order" -- a condemnation echoed by the Indian Ocean Commission, a regional grouping to which Madagascar belongs.

The Southern African Development Community, whose 15 members include Madagascar, also refused to recognise Rajoelina and said it would meet again later this month to consider sanctions.

Nor was support for Rajoelina unanimous in Madagascar, where a counter-demonstration in the capital's Ambohijatovo gardens gathered up to 3,000 protesters.

"Most Madagascans are against the president but people are too scared to come. We are simple citizens fighting against the violence of terrorism," one of the protesters told AFP.

A six-week-old night-time curfew was lifted and fireworks kicked off in central Antanarivo in the evening to mark Rajoelina's inauguration.





Curry