Madagascar’s President hands power to the army

Madagascar's president Marc Ravalomanana has said he is standing down.Meanwhile military leaders said they were conferring full powers on opposition leader Andry Rajoelina. Mr Rajoelina, a former disc jockey had yesterday moved into the president's offices, which were seized on Monday by pro-opposition troops. He later came out to parade among thousands of supporters in central Antananarivo, the capital.The crisis on the Indian Ocean island, where 70% of the people live on less than 70p a day, has left 100 people dead since January. But, while it seems clear Mr Ravalomanana is seizing power, still confusion remains about who is now in charge, according to the BBC. Navy admiral Hyppolite Ramaroson told journalists that the military was giving full powers to Mr Rajoelina "to become president of the high transitional authority". But it is also unclear whether the whole army backs the decision to transfer power to Mr Rajoelina.

The African Union and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) have condemned any direct seizure of power by Mr Rajoelina. "We don't think anybody has the right to unseat an elected government by force," Botswanan Foreign Minister Phando Skelemani told the broadcaster, speaking on behalf of SADC. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed grave concern at the unrest in Madagascar, appealing to all parties to ensure a "smooth transition". In a radio address announcing his resignation, Mr Ravalomanana said he had decided to give up power after "deep reflection". "This decision was very difficult and very hard, but it had to be made. We need calm and peace to develop our country," he said. He added that power would be handed to a military directorate, but it is understood that at least one key military leader turned down the offer to take over.

Mr Ravalomanana's resignation marks a dramatic victory for, who was sacked as mayor of the capital in February. The current constitution sets a minimum age of 40 for presidential candidates. Mr Rajoelina is 34 years-old. Earlier, a number of government ministers quit, as power ebbed away from the president. The mood on the streets was one of relief, reported the BBC, following fears of a bloody last stand if Mr Ravalomanana had continued to cling to power. Mr Ravalomanana had said he was ready to fight to the death at the Iavoloha palace, about 15km (nine miles) from the city centre. On Monday, troops stormed the presidential residence in the centre of the capital and also seized the central bank.

By Hayley Jarvis for SOS Children