Madagascar president blocks ex-leader's return

ANTANANARIVO, May 27

Madagascar's new president on Wednesday refused to allow ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana to return from exile, potentially derailing talks to end the island's political crisis.

Andry Rajoelina issued his edict a day after Ravalomanana accused him of being in league with former colonial power France to enslave the Malagasy population.

Cross-party political talks, closely watched by foreign powers and investors in the Indian Ocean island's mineral and hydrocarbon sectors, are set to resume later on Wednesday.

Allies of Ravalomanana -- who is in exile in South Africa -- said they would boycott further negotiations if discussions did not begin paving the way for his return.

"The High Transitional Authority blocks the return of the former president, Marc Ravalomanana, to the country," Rajoelina told reporters at the opening day of separate talks intended to heal deep divisions within the army.

"We will not sign any agreement allowing for his return."

Ravalomanana accused France late on Tuesday of supporting Madagascar's coup leaders, whom he described as bandits.

Ravalomanana's allies have suggested French involvement in Rajoelina's rise to power since the outset of the crisis, but this is the first time Ravalomanana has pointed a finger.

Ravalomanana gave up power in March under intense pressure from Rajoelina's popular movement and dissident troops. The crisis has wrecked the $390 million-a-year tourism sector.

Strategic Interests

"(The French) objective is to recolonise Madagascar and enslave the Malagasy people. Their goal is to provoke a tribal war," Ravalomanana said from South Africa.

"France does not want Madagascar to develop. It is only concerned with its own interests."

Analysts say there may be some truth to Ravalomanana's talk of French involvement.

"What's going on, it's economic, it's geo-strategic," said Lydie Boka of the risk consultancy, StrategieCo.

However, Boka said Ravalomanana's open attempt to whip up anti-French sentiment showed increasing frustration and desperation.

"Time is not on his side. The international community started talking about a coup, now the talk is of a consensus government," she said.

A deal to end the chaos appeared close on Friday when the U.N envoy said the feuding parties had agreed to form an inclusive government. But the following day one delegation quit the table and Ravalomanana's team said they would follow suit if there was no agreement on his return. The talks were suspended until Wednesday afternoon.

Ravalomanana, who maintains he is still the country's legitimate leader, had a turbulent relationship with France. He expelled the previous French ambassador, Gildas Le Lidec, last July after a few months in the post.

President Nicolas Sarkozy was among foreign leaders and regional blocs to accuse the former DJ of staging a coup.

No one from the French embassy in Antananarivo was available to comment. Madagascar gained independence from France in 1960.

Reuters