afrol News, 11 March - Changes in Madagascar's continuing political crisis have taken the fashion of traffic lights, while political observers see a possible civil war in the build up.

The country's army Chief of Staff was today sacked and replaced by the alleged choice of the rebelling army units in the Indian Ocean Island.

General Edmond Rasolomahandry, who yesterday gave the country's politicians, a 72 hours ultimatum to find a solution to the political impasse or face the army take-over, has been replaced by a new Chief of General-Staff, Colonel André Ndriarijaona, who was sworn-in today at the headquarters of the General-Staff, bypassing all the ussual protocol channels in such appointments. The president is the one who ussualy does the appointments.

The new changes, which also follows yesterday's resignation by the defense minister, Mamy Solofoniaina Ranaivoniarivo, who was allegedly forced to sign the resignation letter at gun-point, have raised more fears of a total rebellion by the majority of the army units as claimed when the mutiny became clear on Sunday.

Mediation talks have collapsed in Madagascar following the withdrawal of opposition leader, Andry Rajoelina, leaving the country's president, Marc Ravalomanana few choices, especially with the army revolt.

Political tensions have been high in the Island for the past six weeks, with mounting anti-government protests and clashes that have so far claimed more than 100 lives.

President Ravalomanana has insisted he is the legitimate leader of the country until his mandate ends in 2012, despite calls by opposition for him to step down, being accused of running the affairs of the country like his personal business.

The United Nations envoy together with other regional bodies as well as the local civil society, including the heads of churches have been working tirelessly to revamp peace talks that seem to have reached a dead end.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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