ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) � Workers striking to force Madagascar's
president to step down after a disputed election returned to work Tuesday
as the opposition said the two-month strike was no longer needed.
The island nation, off the southeast coast of Africa, has been in political
chaos and economic limbo since the Dec. 16 elections ended without a winner.
The official results showed neither President Didier Ratsiraka nor opposition
leader Marc Ravalomanana won an outright majority and that there should
be a runoff.
But Ravalomanana claimed the government rigged the vote and that he
won more than 50 percent. He declared himself president and has led mass
protests and the general strike in a bid to force Ratsiraka to step down.
The opposition on Tuesday said the strike action was no longer necessary
because they had full control over the capital.
Ravalomanana has seized control of the capital Antananarivo and installed
his alternative ministers in almost all government offices while Ratsiraka
has set up an alternative capital in the eastern port city of Toamasina.
There is widespread uncertainty over who is really in control of the
country and where the military's loyalty lies.
Gas stations have run dry and fuel is only available on the black market
at quadruple the normal price.
Many factories have also ground to a standstill.
On the outskirts of the city, local council officials loyal to Ravalomanana
erected barricades, dragging oil drums and planks embedded with rusty nails
across the road. They are only letting vehicles pass once they have been
searched.
``We are looking for guns and gasoline,'' said Rasolo Mananama, 40,
who oversaw a group of six youths manning the checkpoint.
