By RIVONALA RAZAFISON in Antananarivo |
Madagascar Prime Minister Jean-Omer Beriziky is under
pressure to resign as political troubles precipitated by a 2009 coup on
the Indian Ocean island deepened.
A July election expected to end the country's
crisis is uncertain, and now supporters of current leader Andry
Rajoelina have demanded Mr Beriziky leave over what they say is
insubordination, even as the premier said he did not recognise the
President's authority.
At a meeting between the Cabinet and the
Parliament on Thursday, members of the Transitional Congress allied to
Mr Rajoelina asked the consensual premier to resign, accusing him of
repetitive infringements and rebellion against the President.
Mr Beriziky was also accused of allowing
foreigners to freely interfere in the country’s internal affairs and of
failing to perform his duties in government effectively.
His latest perceived infraction was his absence
from the Ministers Council chaired by President Rajoelina at the state
palace of Iavoloha on Wednesday, where he is said to have conducted
another Cabinet meeting with some ministers at the state palace of
Mahazoarivo.
'Internal crisis'
This has resulted in what the President termed as "institutional crisis" according to a statement from his Press Service.
In reaction, Mr Beriziky has said he would not
attend any ministers council led by Mr Rajoelina as long as the
President is a candidate in the presidential election in the election
initially scheduled for July 24.
According to him, Mr Rajoelina has disregarded laws which provide that he resign at least 60 days before the election date.
Mr Rajoelina, 38, has so far refused to resign.
"If the President declared he is no longer a
contestant for the next political race, I’m ready to return to the
Ministers Councils," Mr Beriziky said.
"I have respected my own engagements towards the
internationally-brokered roadmap [agreed in 2011] which remains my boss
until further notice," he added.
External factors
The prime minister said he would only leave if mandated to do so by an institution with the authority.
"I’m ready to quit office if this is for the good
of the nation," he told reporters at the end of the meeting at the
Transitional Congress headquarters that is looking to resolve the
crisis.
The consensual premier was appointed in 2011 during the implementation of a roadmap signed by various Malagasy stakeholders.
Even the President is unable to remove him until the end of the transition period, according to the roadmap which became Malagasy law last year.
Even the President is unable to remove him until the end of the transition period, according to the roadmap which became Malagasy law last year.
On Wednesday, the country's interim government
paved the way the postponement of the elections after a court found that
external factors had derailed the poll preparations.
The suspension of election funding by major donors
and the international rejection of three controversial presidential
candidates, including Mr Rajoelina and former First Lady Lalao
Ravalomana, would be ready by that date.
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