AN internationally backed accord reached in Maputo will not solve the year-old political crisis in Madagascar, the island's new foreign minister has said.

AN internationally backed accord reached in Maputo will not solve the year-old political crisis in Madagascar, the island's new foreign minister has said.

"I am not in favour of Maputo in its current format," Hyppolite Raharison Ramaroson said yesterday.

Ramaroson was one of three generals to whom President Marc Ravalomana transferred power on being ousted by the island's new strongman Andry Rajoelina, with the army's backing.

A military committee then handed over the reins of the Indian Ocean state to Rajoelina.

Rajoelina, a 35-year-old former disc jockey, has since failed to obtain the world's recognition and has promised polls in May after reneging on the power-sharing deal with three opposition groups reached last year in Maputo.

The African Union has given him until March 16 to go back on his unilateral decisions.- Sapa-AFP