Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides) - “The situation is critical, but we are still hopeful that in the end there will be a peaceful resolution,” Agenzia Fides was told by sources at Radio Don Bosco in Antananarivo, Madagacar's capital which has been in a political crisis due to conflict between President Marc Ravalomanana and his main political rival, the resigned mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina.
He has obtained the protection of the UN, after a police attempt to detain him (See Fides 6/3/2009). After several days of uncertainty as to his refuge, word has gotten out that Rajoelina has been taken in by the French Embassy. A group of about a hundred of President Ravalomanana's supporters gathered outside the diplomatic see to protest the protection of the opposition leader.
There are also military protests being carried out be soldiers from the CAPSAT (Corps d'Administration des Personnels et Services de l'Armée de Terre) barracks, the most important in the country, located at 6 kilometers from Antananarivo. “The soldiers are opposing the orders to stifle manifestations by firing on the crowds, asserting that their duty is to protect the people and not to the contrary,” Fides sources said. “The soldiers have given the ultimatum of 12 hours for their demands to be heard. We do not know what will happen at the end of this time.” The resignation of Defense Minister Mamy Ranaivoniarivo, presented today, March 10, could be a first sign of the government's openness to the soldiers in revolt. His resignation was, in fact, one of the conditions they called for.”
“The CAPSAT soldiers launched an appeal to their fellow soldiers, calling them to join in the protest, however we have heard no news of rebellions among the military stations in other parts of the country,” the sources added.
The military has set up blockades around their barracks, while those who have remained faithful to the President (including the Presidential Guard), have surrounded the military establishment.
“Since the evening of March 8, to the morning of the 9th, groups of looters have taken advantage of the absence of police officers, now busy looking after the rebel soldiers, to break into businesses and storage areas in the capital. The situation of the public order has improved now,” our sources said.
“The hope for a peaceful resolution to the crisis is linked to the mediation process taking place between President Ravalomanana and Rajoelina, being led by the Christian Churches Forum (FFKM), which has been joined by 19 important figures from civil society, the Churches, the armed forces, and politics. Talks are scheduled to begin this weekend. The idea is to lock the two sides in a room until they reach an agreement. In Madagascar, there is an important precedence: in 1991, in order to resolve the crisis that had led the then President Didier Ratsiraka to resign, a similar procedure was adopted,” Fides sources concluded. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 10/3/2009)
