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Is Madagascar To Be Under French Governance and Dictatorship?

By Rakoto Albert

Last month, new hope was raised for each Malagasy and for the international community at a meeting held in Pretoria.

Before leaving Madagascar, the president of the High Authority Transition insisted on the pre-established road map proposed by France to be signed upon arrival as a pre-agreement supposed to have been made between the parties.

The other three political parties denied the agreement but accepted the meeting to resolve the problem.

The Pretoria summit was held under the mediation of President Zuma and attended by members of the South African Development Community and other invitees, while the French Minister of Cooperation invited himself with other colleagues to this African home problem. As the other parties did not accept the French road map, no agreement was signed. They agreed to meet within 15 days, for a second Pretoria Summit.

Deals were made and hands were shaken.

Upon his arrival in Madagascar airport, Mr. Rajoelina changed his mind and said he would not go back to Pretoria again and announced his plan B to resolve the crisis.

This plan concerns the involvement of the Army in his new government. After consultation with the chiefs of National defense, plan B collapsed as they did not support that government.

Last week, Mr. Rajoelina announced, in an official speech, that he will not be a candidate at the next presidential election. He considers this as a personal sacrifice for the nation while no constitution yet allows him to be elected as he is still under 40. He also announced the calender of the elections including the constitution, legislative and the presidential.

Immediately afterwards, many members of the opposition and the international community, including the German Ambassador to Madagascar reacted, saying they consider the decision of the election calendar a unilateral decision that will not resolve the crisis. They also reminded that eighteen months ago, Rajoelina said he would not be candidate at the next presidential election.

Marc Ravalomanana in his quick reaction said that nobody asked Rajoelina not to be a candidate. He also launched a challenge to his adversary to present himself as candidate, to allow the Malagasy people to elect the one they actually like.

At the same time, the Prime Minister of the HAT warned the politicians to stop their rhetoric because Rajoelina will not be a candidate. Otherwise he will take action. Some people asked about the relationship between the rhetoric and his decision.

During his interview by RFI, Rajoelina confirmed his expectation to encourage the international community to comply with his road map. But above all, he is willing very much to be invited to the Francafrique summit in Nice on 30 May and to the French independence day on 4 July.

Yesterday, repression restarted with the arrest of Ambroise Ravonison from Ravalomanana vouvance but also a sworn General delegate for peace at the United Nations, then Joseph Randriamandroso and Harison Razafindrakoto from Zafy Mouvance. Three of them were arrested with other journalists during an interview at a Frequence Plus radio station. The journalists and technicians of the station were seriously injured.

On 6 April, Ambroise Ravonison addressed a letter to the International Court of Justice to denounce the serious Human rights infringements since March 2009. There was also a recent report from Amnesty International.

One wonders if Rajoelina fought for democracy at the closed democracy square or for the French power restoration in Madagascar.