Opposition in charge in Madagascar

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar – Madagascar’s military leaders handed over control of this Indian Ocean island nation to the opposition leader on Tuesday, after the president himself stepped down and tried to put the military in charge.

In a ceremony broadcast from a military camp in the capital, Vice-Admiral Hyppolite Rarison Ramaroson said he and two other generals rejected President Marc Ravalomanana’s attempt to transfer power to a military directorate.

Instead, Ramaroson said the military was installing the president’s bitter rival, opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, as the country’s leader.

For months, Rajoelina – a disc jockey turned broadcasting magnate who had been mayor of Antananarivo, the capital – has been leading anti-government rallies and pressing Ravalomanana to step down. Some protests have led to deadly clashes.

Over the weekend, Rajoelina declared himself president of a transitional government and promised new presidential elections within two years.