Madagascar's opposition leader to be arrested by the government - now he is hiding
March 10th, 2009
ANTANANARIVO, Tuesday
The United 
Andry Rajoelina, whose protests against President Marc Ravalomanana have brought the worst political crisis and civil unrest for years on the large Indian Ocean island, has not been seen in public since Friday.
"The UN has decided to put Rajoelina under their protection in a diplomatic residence," UN mediator for Madagascar, Drame Tiebile, told reporters late on Monday.
Tiebile, a former foreign minister of Mali, said he had the president's word Rajoelina would not be arrested.
The UN envoy did not disclose his whereabouts.
At least 135 people have died during unrest since the start of this year. The crisis has already dented Madagascar's $390 million-a-year tourism sector and may dampen the enthusiasm of foreign investors in Madagascar's oil and mining sectors.
A mutiny by a section of the military at the weekend has intensified the crisis.
Rajoelina, a one-time disc jockey who has galvanised widespread anger over Ravalomanana's failure to alleviate poverty, has said the president no longer controls Antananarivo or the provinces.
The government calls him a maverick troublemaker, with exaggerated claims.
On Monday, local church leaders also trying to mediate, said three days of dialogue between all concerned parties were planned for later this week.
Ravalomanana, a self-made millionaire who denies allegations of misspending public funds and running a dictatorship, has said he will attend.
Aides to Rajoelina would not say whether Rajoelina will sit opposite his political rival. "We have not yet been officially informed of the initiative," said Nihry Lanto Andriamahazo, Rajoelina's former deputy. (Reuters)
source.standard.ke