Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides) - “The situation is one of confusion and there is high tension. It is not true that there are no tanks in the streets, because the local military only has armored cars,” Agenzia Fides was informed by sources from Radio Don Bosco in Madagascar, where a political struggle is taking place between President Marc Ravalomanana and his main political opponent Andry Rajoelina. The military has now gotten itself involved, as well. Several international press agencies affirm that the military, which no longer recognized the President's authority, have deployed tanks in the streets of the capital city of Antananarivo, to counteract any possible attacks carried out by mercenary groups used by the President.
“Armored cars are not seen on the streets of Antananarivo, but it could be that several military groups are concentrated in an area near the capital, among other reasons, because the Presidential Palace is located 15 kilometers from Antananarivo,.” Fides sources commented. “As for the supposed presence of mercenaries, it could just be an excuse for the military to take action. Yesterday, however, the security forces had also accused the President of using mercenaries for his own protection. However, we do not believe that the army will try to conduct a coups, as the international response would isolate an eventual military leadership in search of power from everyone else. It is more likely that this whole mobilization of the military is an effort to place pressures on President Ravalomanana to resign.”
The majority of the military is in cohorts with soldiers from the CAPSAT (Corps d'Administration des Personnels et Services de l'Armée de Terre), the most important in Madagascar, that was the first to reject the President's order to suppress demonstrations promoted by the opposition. The appointment of a Chief of Staff by the military themselves (see Fides 12/3/2009) and not by the President, shows a radical shift: Ravalomanana has completely lost control of the army.
On a political level, for now it is difficult to offer an evaluation of yesterday's (March 12) meeting between Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara and Roindefo Zafitsimivalo Monja, the “Transitional Prime Minister” appointed by Rajoelina, who has appointed his own government to substitute that of the President. “The two men had a cordial meeting in the Prime Minister's Palace, showing that we are nearing an exchange of powers between the two,” Fides sources said.
“The President's radio station made an appeal to its listeners, asking that they come out to defend him at the Presidential Palace. Conflict is feared with the army,” our sources said. Considering the fact that just days ago, it was Rajoelina who was calling on his supporters for protection from possible arrest, one can observe how the situation on the island has drastically changed. “Diplomatic sources affirm that the crisis could take a positive turn in the days to come. We hope that nothing occurs that could turn the situation into a tragedy,” Fides sources concluded. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 13/3/2009)
