Madagascar mayor declares himself in charge

Madagascar's firebrand opposition leader defied the authority of the country's president yesterday, telling thousands of anti-government protesters that he was now in charge.

His comments follow a week of civil unrest which the US ambassador said killed more than 100 in some of the worst violence the politically volatile island has seen for years.

Andry Rajoelina, Antananarivo's 34-year-old mayor, has waged a campaign of strikes and public rallies against president Marc Ravalomanana's government, which he accuses of abusing state powers and threatening democracy.

"Until a transitional government is in place, it is I who gives the orders for the running of national affairs and to all ministries," Rajoelina told the crowd of jubilant supporters.

"I appeal to the security forces that it is I who will be giving you orders henceforth," he said.

The brewing political crisis will likely hurt the Indian Ocean island's fast growing popularity as a sound destination for foreign investment and tourists.

Analysts say the 59-year-old president, who founded his business empire hawking yoghurt off the back of a bicycle, faces a serious challenge as Rajoelina rides a wave of popular support.

"Madagascar is a deeply divided country. Ravalomanana will have to make some substantive concessions if he is to survive this. There is a heavy death toll and the population is fired up," said Patrick Smith, editor of Africa Confidential.

Major foreign companies are investing heavily in the island's oil and mineral sectors, including Rio Tinto and Sherritt International which plan to mine nickel, cobalt, bauxite and ilmenite.

Businesses kept shutters firmly locked and banks remained closed, fearing a return to the violent scenes witnessed last Monday when opposition supporters torched state media buildings and looted shops across the city.

Kenya Airways said it had temporarily suspended flights to Antananarivo due to worsening security.

"We are here to request a return to democracy and better human rights," said Tila Ralvaralarivo, waving a small orange flag, the colour that has come to symbolise the opposition movement.