Madagascar opposition groups dismissed on Thursday the decision by strongman Andry Rajoelina to rule himself out of this year's presidential elections, saying it did not resolve other key issues.

Rajoelina, who grabbed power in an army-backed coup in March 2009, said on Wednesday he would not run in the presidential polls he set for November. He said it was in a bid to resolve the Indian Ocean island's protracted political crisis.

"His declaration has no importance because of the unilateral announcement of the election timetable," said Emmanuel Rakotovahiny, who heads the party of former president Albert Zafy.
 
"There are agreements that were signed. The four party leaders should hold talks to make amendments how they want," Rakotovahiny said.
 
Rajoelina rejected power-sharing accords signed in November with the president he ousted, Marc Ravalomanana, and two other former presidents, Didier Ratsiraka and Zafy.
 
The opposition groups also rejected Rajoelina's national dialogue forum.
 
"What is the point if it is him organising it? We are fed up of manipulation," said former Rajoelina ally Monja Roindefo. "He thinks Madagascans have a short memory. Who believes that this time he will keep his word?"
 
Rajoelina resisted cutting a deal with his opponents for months, with no progress from the latest attempt at international mediation last week in South Africa.
 
But he was forced to reverse course after the military refused to support him, and promised a roadmap to resolve the political crisis.
 
The impoverished Indian Ocean island has been in a political limbo since the 35-year-old former Antananarivo mayor toppled the president last year after weeks of sometimes bloody street protests.

Source: AFP